Capacity Development Advisor

About the Program 

The Bougainville Partnership (BP) took on its current form in 2016, inheriting activities from a number of separately administered initiatives. The new program commencing April 2022 is identified as a key element of the new Australian Subnational Strategic Framework for PNG, recently established to bring together a rationale and operational framework for a set of place-based initiatives that reflect geographical priorities based on the mutual interests of Australia and PNG.

For Australia the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement is an explicit commitment in the 2017 White Paper. An overriding interest is to maintain the peace that the Agreement brought about and that is enabled by political dialogue, within and outside Bougainville, and economic development. It implies a readiness to engage for the long term, accepting that the development of institutions and diversified economic opportunities will be slow.

The structure of the program remains similar to the Bougainville Partnership’s previous program, but with updated outcomes as follows:

Pillar 1 - Capable institutions

1. GoPNG and ABG institutions are able to carry out high priority tasks that support Bougainville’s development and the post-referendum dialogue: Supporting defined tasks connected with the development of essential institutions, the draw-down of powers, Post-Referendum Dialogue and/or an aligned road map that leads towards greater autonomy.

Pillar 2 - Economic development

2. ABG and business associations jointly plan and implement initiatives to improve the private sector environment for inclusive economic development: Measures to improve the environment for private sector development and deepen the dialogue between the government and the private sector will be promoted through technical assistance.

3. Women and men engaged in primary production have increased incomes and benefit from inclusive associations and cooperatives: The current agricultural value chain activities will be continued, focusing on improving cocoa quality and linking producers to markets. This objective must be complemented with an economic inclusive policy and strategy that facilitates the interest of women, youth and people living with disabilities to actively participate and benefit from the economic activities. 

Pillar 3 - Stronger communities

4. Community, youth and women’s groups collaborate effectively to establish sustainable community assets, deliver services and advocate for their target groups: Formerly the peace-building component, activities will include continuation and expansion of the existing successful community grants program, initiatives to provide skills and foster networks for youth, and community infrastructure.

Pillar Crosscutting Outcome:

5. Women increasingly participate in decision making and take on leadership roles in civic, economic and political spaces: The program will use the entry points from its range of activities to promote women’s leadership.

About the Opportunity 

Economic Development is a priority of the Toroama-Nisira government for stability, growth, and prosperity of Bougainville. 

This position is related to Pillars 1 and 2 of the Bougainville Partnership’s results framework and will support the ABG’s Department of Commerce, Trade, Industry and Economic Development (DCTIED) to take ownership and strategically guide the implementation of the economic development activities prioritized for Bougainville.

The position sits as a conduit for strategic partnership arrangements and improved coordination of resources between stakeholders of ABG’s Anchor Economy Strategy, the Economic Roadmap, Bougainville’s private sector and development partners. 

The Anchor Economy Strategy is specifically focused on revenue generation. The Advisor will have to work alongside ABG counterparts and other BP advisers to support the ABG formulate and operationalize key economic sector policies, legislation, and subordinate regulations as prioritized in the Anchor Economy Strategy. The current priority for development is business registration policy, and ensure communication, information sharing and coordination across the BP’s engagement with the ABG. 

The ABG has consulted extensively with PNG’s Investment Promotion Authority - (IPA) and Internal Revenue Commission - (IRC) to improve start to drawdown these powers. Its capability to generate revenue through business entity registration. The priority legislation for operationalization includes the Inward Investment Act (amended) 2018 and Bougainville Arts Culture and Tourism Authority Act 2022 and, potentially, the four new Lands Acts, which were passed in late-2024.

Recent support to the Bougainville Business Associations (BBAs) has raised the profile of the associations as advocates of the private sector to engage and dialogue with ABG and to contribute to private sector growth strategies and policies. The three business associations have developed their 3-year Strategic Action Plans and require supportive government policies and structure to operationalize these plans. The ABG’s Department of Commerce Trade, Industry and Economic Development is the lead agency to develop such enabling policies in partnership with the business associations and private sector stakeholders. ; the Advisor will work alongside a service provider to support BBAs implement their strategic plans and approved capacity development plans.

The Advisor will also support general institutional strengthening and reinforce ABG planning and reporting processes, focusing on DCTIED and the Bougainville Arts Culture and Tourism Authority (BACTA). Here the Advisor will play an integral role in supporting collaboration, coordination and communication through the Economic Sector Working Group (ESWG) and the ABGs Economic Sector Departments.[1]

Since 2016 20106 more than K20 million was injected into the Bougainville economy via the BP CSF grants, to support cocoa farming groups to address cocoa value chain impediments through the BP’s Commodity Support Facility grants. The focus has been on reviving cooperatives or business groups to boost cocoa production and improve quality through using centralized systems of farming, processing, and marketing of cocoa dry beans. This approach requires effective and functional collectives underpinned by strong management and sound business plans for growth and returns on investment for the participating farmers.

Key Responsibilities 

Formulation & operationalization of key economic sector policy and legislation:

• Working alongside ABG counterparts and other BP advisers to support the ABG to formulate key economic sector policies over the longer term, legislation and subordinate regulations.
• Develop and support workstreams/activities aligned with prioritized economic policies contained within the Anchor Economy Strategy, the Economic Roadmap and the Long-Term Economic Development Plan 2025-2040.
• Support the operationalization of priority economic policy/legislation including the Insurance Act (drafted) and the existing Inward Investment Act (amended) 2018, Bougainville Arts Culture and Tourism Authority Act 2022 and potentially the four new Lands Acts passed in late-2024. 

Bougainville Business Associations (BBAs), private sector and ABG collaboration:

• Work alongside a service provider to support BBAs implement their strategic plans and capacity development plans.
• Support DCTIED to engage with Bougainville’s Business Associations to build their capacity and to support dialogue and collaborative policy making between government and private sector. 
• Support the implementation of public-private dialogue (PPD) events and other deliberation between BBAs, private sector and ABG. 
• Support DCTIED to establish a systematic approach to SME development for Cooperatives, Business Groups, and other registered collectives within Bougainville.
• Review Financial Literacy training providers and suitability for ABG collaboration with CSF Phase III, facilitate with MFIs via the CSF. 

Institutional Strengthening:

Collaborate and coordinate with BP Advisors to DoTF, DPIMR, Department of Justice and Legal Systems, DMP, DLPPECCC and the BTO to ensure synergies between BP economic development advisory support to the ABG departments, and the transition process, including:

• Provide support, as directed, to the transition process for the Bougainville Labour Mobility Project to the ABG Department of Commerce Trade Industry and Economic Development
• Provide support, as directed, to the transition process for the ABG to be engaged in managing the Bougainville Chocolate Festival.
• Support ABG counterparts to effectively coordinate Economic Sector Working Group meetings working closely with the Secretary DCTIED, Team Leader Economic Development and Economic Development specialist to pursue economic development agenda.
• Provide support, as directed, to DCTIED and BACTA to update and strengthen corporate plans, workplans and report functions. 

Specific Deliverables

• ABG counterparts are supported to formulate key economic sector policy, legislation and subordinate regulations.
• ABG counterparts are supported to operationalize priority economic sector legislation (including Inward Investment Act and Bougainville Arts, Culture and Tourism Authority Act) awareness completed and operationalized. 
• The ABG Economic Sector Working Group (or equivalent) functioning and meeting regularly.
• Bougainville Business Associations supported to become effective and functional organizations, able to engage in effective dialogue and advocacy, and to represent a broad range of private sector interests.
• Dialogue and deliberation between BBAs, private sector and ABG supported.
• Facilitated collaboration of policy makers and coordination of efforts between DCTIED and ABG departments for registration and of inclusive cooperatives and associations
• ABG supported to develop a long-term Economic Plan to guide government decision-making process on the investment, commerce, industry and trade. 

Key working relationships 

Reporting to Secretary, DCTIED primarily and also to the Team Leader, Economic Development, BP and secondarily to :

• Deputy Secretary, Directors & Senior Officers, DCIED
• Secretaries of the Economic Sector (DCTIED, DPIMR, DMP, DLPPECC) and the Bougainville Tax Office
• Economic Sector Working Group
• Bougainville Economic Development Committee
• Bougainville Business Associations
• Bougainville Arts Culture and Tourism Authority 
•  BP Advisor Cohort

About You:

Qualifications:

• A degree in business management, economics, organisational capacity development, public administration, international development or similar.  Preferably with post graduate qualifications.

Knowledge 

• Knowledge of government capacity building in economic development.
• An understanding of the monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and public diplomacy requirements of Australian/ PNG Government or donor programs.

Skills and Experiences

• 15+ years’ experience in both the private sector and senior government positions, preferably in the GoPNG Public Sector covering aspects of:
• Business and/or commercial development.
• Economic development.
• Economic sector policy operationalisation or implementation.
• Organisational development and strengthening.
• Experience in provision of business development advisory support.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively in a cross-cultural environment.
• Ability to write and verbally communicate clearly and concisely in English.
• Ability to integrate and promote principles of gender equity and social inclusion in to aspects of previous roles
• Some awareness  and understanding of international trade and investment matters and developments

Personal Attributes

• Delivers Results
• Builds Internal and External Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty.
• Develops People
• Communicates
• Sets Vision and Direction
• Demonstrates Sound Financial and Business-Related Practices
• Builds Teams and Cooperation
• Promotes Technical Excellence and Quality
• Promotes Diversity Acts as a Role Model

How to Apply

• Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.
• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organization will not be accepted. 
• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt. 

Abt Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery, and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities. 

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date:  Friday 12th September 2025 (5pm, local time)