Commencing in February 2025  1 year contract duration Based in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea Open to PNG Citizens only Applicant must already be based in Vanimo

About the Program 

The Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE) Program is a 5-year, Government of Australia (GoA) investment to support the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) to improve the delivery of access to and quality of education for the children of PNG. 

The program is focused on early grade education working at the national and sub-national level in four target provinces. Through facilitating, testing, and monitoring innovative ways to address priority challenges related to access and retention, and the upgrading of skills of elementary teachers, the Program will seek to influence policy and systems-based change to improve learning outcomes for girls, boys and children with a disability in the early grades. 

The expected end-of-investment outcomes (EOIO) for the PIE investment are:

Targeted Outcome 1: More children (girls, boys, and children with disabilities) in the early grades enrol and stay in school in selected provinces using replicable and sustainable approaches.

Targeted Outcome 2: Targeted provinces are using sustainable and replicable approaches to support improvements in the quality of teaching and learning in the early grades.

Enabling Outcome 3: Evidence of systemic change within the education sector that improves the delivery of early grades education.

PIE has established the Achieving Quality Education for All (AQEFA) fund. PIE in collaboration with the Inclusive Education (IE) Division of the National Department of Education (NDoE) will provide AQEFA funding to Inclusive Education Resource Centres (IERCs) in target locations. AQEFA funding will support IERCs to expand and strengthen their school outreach activities so that more children with disabilities can be identified and provided with the support they need to access, participate, and learn in schools.

About the Opportunity

The Inclusive Education (IE) Outreach Officer will report to the respective IERC Coordinator, Subnational Management and GEDSI and Governance Lead. The IE Outreach Officer works closely with Senior GEDSI and Safeguarding Coordinator and the IERC Coordinator and IERC staff to coordinate, plan and implement school outreach activities.

Key responsibilities 

IERC Outreach activities include, but are not limited to:

school engagement and awareness raising on disability inclusion,  identification of and support to children with a disability (including referral to IERCs, health and specialist services where appropriate and the procurement of assistive devices), and  support to schools and teachers in the early grades on inclusive education, including development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs). 

Stakeholder Management

Work in close collaboration with PIE and IERC staff to coordinate, plan and conduct school outreach activities. Build strong relationships with school and community stakeholders, including head teachers, teachers, parents, and community leaders. Engage with national, provincial and district education, health, and other key stakeholders, as relevant. 

Program Delivery

Support evidence-based approaches to improving access and retention of girls and children living with a disability in mainstream schools and the teaching profession in the early grades.  Work closely with the IERC Coordinator, Senior GEDSI and Safeguarding Coordinator and Subnational Manager to develop and implement weekly/monthly/annual implementation plans. Work closely with the Subnational Manager, IERC staff, schools (targeting early grades), Provincial Department of Education (PDoE), Bougainville Department of Education (BDoE), and Provincial Health Authorities to coordinate school outreach. Lead school outreach, including directly implementing school and community engagement and teacher support activities, such as basic screening and referral services. Play a key role in training and capacity building for teachers.  Attend and contribute to subnational steering committee meetings and GEDSI technical working group meetings as required. 

MERLA

Support measurable positive systemic change in the education sector creating an enabling environment for children and persons living with a disability.  Submit outreach reports to MERLA Coordinators and enter data into the MEAL database as required by the PIE MERLA Coordinator and Adviser. Deliver high quality briefs and progress reports for a range of audiences as required.

Child protection and safeguarding requirements

Foster a strong understanding of PIE’s child safeguarding policy and reporting process among staff and volunteers. Strictly comply with the Child Protection Code of Conduct when working with children and young people. Act as a role model by demonstrating the highest standards of behaviour towards children in both your private and professional life. Ensure DFAT safeguarding requirements are adhered to and managed effectively.

Security and risk management requirements

Ensure remote travel plans are created and approved in accordance with Abt Policies.  Be aware of, and consider, the risks associated with your everyday work and apply appropriate mitigation measures. Contribute to annual risk management and reporting templates. Track, mitigate, manage, and report on operational, program and reputational risks. Other duties as required.

Key working relationships

IERC Coordinator and staff Subnational Manager  GEDSI and Governance Lead  Senior GEDSI and Safeguarding Coordinator Team Lead Finance and Corporate Services Manager  MERLA Coordinator

About You 

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided. 

Tertiary qualifications in a related field or discipline, such as education, international development, gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), monitoring and evaluation or project management.  A minimum of Six (6) years of experience in education-sector programs (or related area) is required.  Demonstrated understanding of inclusive education and / or community-based rehabilitation and how to apply best fit practices for contextually appropriate education development programming.  Experience in broad coordination and facilitation of program activities, including the ability to reliably complete tasks and achieve targets within a given timeframe.  Experience in capacity building for internal and external stakeholders in disability and inclusion. Capacity to collect, collate and provide data in Excel sheets and written reports. Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and relationship management skills with proven results in working with senior leaders, external stakeholders, and officials to achieve outcomes.

How to Apply

Please submit your application online; attach your cover letter and CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the key selection criteria of this role.

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

Closing Date: Sunday, 5 January 2025 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Global 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