About the Program 

PATH is a five-year health sector strengthening program funded by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of PNG between 2020-2025, aligned to PNG’s National Health Plan 2021-2030 and DFAT’s Health Portfolio Plan.

PATH’s End of Investment Outcomes (EOIO) are:

Provincial Health Authorities are more able to lead provincial health reform and mange effective, efficient, equitable and quality essential health services in selected provinces. DAFT-funded health services are demonstrating efficient and effective models of service delivery, influencing PHA performance; and building sustainability by transitioning to PHA management in selected provinces.

To achieve these, PATH has three Intermediate Outcomes (IO) focused on Provincial Health Authority Leadership, Women in Leadership and Essential Health Services.

The shared commitment by the Government of PNG and Australia to the health sector recognises its importance to economic and social development in PNG. Healthy people are better placed to invest in their own education, businesses, and government. Strong health systems and quality service delivery are vital to regional security, stability, and prosperity. 

At the national level, PATH is working with the National Department of Health (NDoH) and other Central Government Agencies by sharing and analysing the experiences and practices needed to support the provincial health systems in leading and managing health service delivery.

At the subnational level, PATH has six demonstration provinces (Autonomous Region of Bougainville, East New Britian, Western Highlands, West Sepik, Morobe and Western) and is working to build capacity for improved provincial health service delivery and to support the transition of DFAT funding to PHA management. The Provincial Health Authority Support is focused in the PATH six demonstration provinces to support PHA system strengthening initiatives to improve leadership and management of health services. PATH provincial based officers - Provincial Facilitator and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator roles support implementation of the day-to-day system strengthening activities for Provincial Health Authorities.

PATH is an adaptive, program that seeks flexible response to the changing local circumstances over the life of the program.

About the Opportunity

The Senior Program Manager – Provincial Health Authority Support, will act as that central coordination point for all of the Provincial Facilitators and Provincial Monitoring Evaluation Learning Coordinators. 

Working closely with the Program Delivery Lead, Provincial Facilitators and Provincial Monitoring Evaluation Learning Coordinators this role will support the implementation of activities to improve leadership and management of health services for the six Provincial Health Authorities (PHA). 

The Senior Program Manager will coordinate the activities between the selected provinces to support PHA capacity to plan, budget, deliver and coordinate health services, including the coordination of analyses/assessments to identify bottlenecks at the selected PHAs.

Key responsibilities 

Support PATH Provincial Team- Provincial Facilitator and Provincial Monitoring Evaluation Learning Coordinators to contribute to PHA:

Leadership Support

Promote a strong work culture between the PATH Provincial Team and PHA at senior PHA management level  Improve PHA strategic planning and reporting to strengthen service delivery through the development of policies, guidelines and systems 

Operational and Financial Management

Oversee effective use of  PATH resources for activity implementation across PHAs. Monitor budget utilisation, program deliverables, associated risks, issues, gaps and opportunities Coordinate activities, briefings, reports and workshops related to the Provincial Health Authority Support. Effectively coordinate and contribute to PHASP and other PATH operational to strengthen program cohesion and address specific bottlenecks that impede PATH cohesive delivery in the province. Assist PHA to encourage more inclusive workplace culture Work with the GESI team to actively promote gender equality by ensuring women are being brought into management and leadership roles to contribute meaning fully towards the health of women and girls Work closely with GEDSI Team, Frontline Health Outcomes Team and Health Security team, PATH Operations team and PAS Team.

Human Resource Management

Oversee the effective recruitment and retention of health and support staff Explore opportunities to continually improve staff skills and performance Institute mechanisms to enable training and development in performance management skills Provide guidance in handling staff disciplinary issues

Stakeholder management/partnership

Effectively engage and develop good relations with the Provincial Health Authorities Senior Executive Management Committee, CSOs/NGOs, donors and community. Assist in organising partner engagement opportunities. Recognise and respect other key stakeholders involved in health service delivery in the province.

Public Health

Support PHAs public health intervention programs at the planning and program level Support PHAs provide input into disease outbreak activities 

Monitoring and evaluation

Support and coordinate inputs from the provincial MELCs on PHA Health Information System Strengthening in line with National Health Service Standards and other national and global standards  Facilitate report of PATH program key findings back to PATH Performance and Adaptive Systems Team

Key deliverables

Responsive support provided across the Provincial Performance Team High level of responsiveness to AHC issues and requests Effective program management activities and ensure quality reporting, milestones, deliverables and KPIs submitted on time and meet internal (Abt) and external (AHC) requirements High quality support delivered to PHAs including management of activities including support PHA capacity to plan, budget, deliver, and coordinate health services Build and maintain open, productive and outcome-oriented relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including AHC and GoPNG.

Key working relationships 

National Department of Health  Provincial Health Authorities and Church Health partners PATH Program Managers  Provincial Health Authority Support Team 

About You 

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

Demonstrate experience in identifying and facilitating support requirements to address constraints on large, complex programs, including leading the development and implementation of program annual plans Tertiary qualifications in health/social sciences or similar required and experience in public health service provision highly desirable Demonstrated leadership and ability to develop a team of professionals and experience in coaching and mentoring staff Exceptional interpersonal skills and proven experience in developing and maintaining relationships with senior partner government officials, donor representatives and other key stakeholders Excellent analytical and writing skills including the preparation of reports, briefs and policy analysis for a government and key stakeholder audiences

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 organisation will not be accepted.  The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

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

Closing Date:  Wednesday, 23 October 2024 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.