Grants Officer|BP-APSPnew

• Location: Arawa, Autonomous Region of Bougainville

• Commencement: August 2026

• Duration: Long Term

• Open to PNG Citizens Only

About the Program 

For Australia and New Zealand, the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement is an explicit commitment in the Australia government 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 Bougainville Partnership (BP) took on its current form in 2016, inheriting activities from a number of separately administered initiatives. The structure of the program remains similar to the BP’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, focussing on improving cocoa quality and linking producers to markets. 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, focussing on improving cocoa quality and linking producers to markets. This objective must be complemented with an economic inclusive policy and strategy that helps the interest of women, youth and people living with disabilities to actively take part 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. 

The BP is part of the Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP), which is an enabling mechanism comprised of three separately designed programs including: BP, the Western Province Partnership (WPP), the Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP), and the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP). Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems. 

Position Overview: 

The Grants Officer will support the CSF Manager and Senior Grants Officer (Arawa) to deliver and administer grants to farmer groups. They will ensure CSF grant activities are delivered in timely manner and in line with the APSP's systems, processes, procedures and administration requirements. 

They will provide oversight to grant recipients and support them in providing: 

• The transparent and accountable use of grants funds. 

• Effective grant administration and management, and procurement. 

• Social inclusiveness in grants funds by grant recipients; and 

• Relevant baseline information, improved CSF monitoring and evaluation systems, and a strengthened culture of learning within the partnership. 

• The Grants Officer will also support the CSF Manager or Senior Grants Officer to: 

• Provide overarching support and coordination of CSF activities and deliverables against the CSF workplan; and 

• Deliver progress against CSF performance Indicators and the Results Framework. 

The Grants Officer will support the CSF Manager or Senior Grants Officer in the planning and implementation of any agricultural and economic development activities such as the annual Bougainville Chocolate Festival and the Pillar 2 Innovation Stream initiatives. 

The CSF Innovation Stream initiatives may include, among others, targeted support to the following sectors: fresh produce, poultry, high value coconut products, and market linkages in transport and logistics. 

Key Responsibilities 

Grants Administration and Management: 

• Ensure grantee adherence to the CSF’s grants systems, processes, procedures and tools in collaboration with the CSF Grants Officer and the nominated counterpart staff of the ABG’s DPI and DCTI; 

• Ensure coordination and management of a portfolio of approved grants, including: handling enquiries, database upkeep, assessments, monitoring and reporting of the grants pipelines; 

• Ensure coordination of grants information and reports throughout the life of each grant, in collaboration with the CSF Finance and Administration Officer, CSF Officers and CSF Manager and CSF Grant Officers; 

• Liaise and coordinate with the CSF Finance and Administration Officer, CSF Senior Grant Officers, CSF Manager and ABG counterpart staff and grants recipients in managing approved grants, including a joint approach to the monitoring of progress and expenditure against milestones that builds capacity of counterpart staff and grant recipients; 

• Undertake monitoring spot-checks of grant recipients within the grants portfolio to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of grant funds in accordance with the agreed Grantee project activity and procurement plans; 

• Working collaboratively with the Procurement and Finance Officer, support all aspects of procurement and logistics associated with training, fieldwork and grant implementation; 

• Prepare monthly output plans and other plans as directed; 

• Provide grants specific reports as required; 

• Provide secretariat support to the CSF Grants Manager; and 

• Provide any support required by the Team Leader (or delegate) and CSF Grants Manager. 

Specific Performance Reporting and Grantee Monitoring: 

• Alongside Senior Grants Officer and CSF Manager, ensure that stakeholders (farmers, traders, manufacturers, government agencies and civil society groups and donors) have knowledge and understanding of the purpose of the CSF; 

• Support the CSF Manager with oversight and approval of grantee technical assessments and financial reporting; 

• Ensure climate change and social inclusiveness performance indicators and target, with a focus on gender and youth, are included in grant agreements; 

• Ensure quality and timely grantee progress reports, updates and indicators are provided to the CSF Secretariat; 

• Ensure the timely collection of data and information relevant to climate change, gender and social inclusion performance indicators and targets; and 

• Represent the program in a way entirely consistent with the program’s Code of Conduct. 

• Work closely in a strong partnership with counterparts from the DPI, Community Governments, DCTIED and other Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Departments in undertaking the grants management and administration function; 

Innovation Stream & Agricultural and Economic Development Events 

• Where appropriate, support the CSF Manager and CSF Senior Grant Officers to implement value chain diagnostics and the prioritisation of commodities for CSF support for the CSF with the initial focus on cocoa and coconut products; 

• Support the CSF Manager and CSF Senior Grant Officers in the planning, implementation and management of the Agricultural and economic development events such as the Bougainville Chocolate Festival; 

• Provide secretariat support to the Pillar 2 Technical Working Group as required. 

Specific Deliverables

• Ensure output plans, individual work plans are delivered on time and to a high standard as agreed with the CSF Manager 

• Provide high quality progress reports in line with the BP and Abt Associates guidelines and standards. 

• Ensures the integration of Gender, Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Democratic Governance approaches into all aspects of the delivery of activities. 

Key working relationships 

Bougainville Partnership 

• CSF Manager 

• CSF Senior Grants Officers 

• CSF Grants Officers 

• BP Finance Officer & CSF Finance and Administration 

• Team Leader -Economic Development 

• Operations Managers (Buka & Arawa) 

• Economic Development Adviser 

• MERLA & GEDSI Officers 

Primary external relationships: 

• CSF Grant Recipients 

• Department of Primary Industry 

• Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources 

• Department of Commerce Trade Industry and Economic Development 

• Bougainville Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority 

• Kokonas Indastrie Korporesen 

• PNG Cocoa Board 

• Private sector and civil society partners 

• Service Providers

About You 

Qualifications 

• Qualification in Business Administration, Finance, Commerce, Agriculture Development or related field (Diploma or Degree preferred) 

Skills/Experience 

• Minimum of 3 years of grant or activity management experience 

• Experience working with international donor programs; government or private sector. 

• Strong written and oral communication skills. 

• Knowledge of basic financial reporting and procurement best practice 

• Ability to travel and work in difficult terrains/conditions at a time. 

• Strong organization & interpersonal skills 

• Competence in Microsoft Office Excel & MS Word 

• Problem Solving Skills 

• A valid PNG driving licence is desirable. 

   

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, 22 July 2026 (Mid-day, 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.