About the Program
The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Australia Transition to Health (PATH) is a six-year (2020-2026) health sector program funded by the Australian Government under the PNG – Australia Partnership for Development. PATH works with the Government of PNG (GoPNG) to improve coverage and quality of health services for the people of PNG through effective, equitable, efficient, and inclusive interventions. Guided by the National Department of Health (NDoH), Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) and the Bougainville Department of Health (BDoH) are responsible for the delivery of health services across PNG.
PATH assists NDoH, PHAs and BDoH to strengthen systems for health service delivery targeting infectious diseases, and reproductive, maternal, newborn child and adolescent health, with a focus on promoting women’s leadership.
PATH’s end of investment outcomes (EOIOs) are:
PHAs more able to lead provincial health reform and manage effective, efficient, equitable and quality essential health services in selected provinces. DFAT-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.PATH’s intermediate outcomes (IOs) are: Provincial Health Authority Leadership, Women in Leadership and Essential Health Services.
PATH is a locally led, adaptive, and politically informed program that seeks to maintain flexibility to respond to changing and local circumstances over the life of the program.
Position Overview:
The Safeguarding & Compliance Specialist sits with PATH, but is responsible for ensuring consistent implementation of Abt Global’s Child Protection (CP), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and Fraud policies and procedures within Abt Global operations and programming. This includes managing grant and subcontracted partners to meet Abt Global’s and DFAT’s CP, PSEAH and Safeguarding and Fraud requirements.
Key Responsibilities
The Safeguarding & Compliance Specialist will be responsible for, but not limited to the following:
Ensure consistent implementation of Child Protection, PSEAH and Fraud policies and procedures across Abt Global PNG staff and with partners. Provide direct technical support to and engage with PATH workstreams, procurement and operations teams, partners and other key stakeholders on CP, PSEAH and Fraud matters. Develop and deliver PNG-specific CP, PSEAH and Fraud training for partners, and conduct partner training for high-risk partners and other external stakeholders where necessary, including ensuring that gender equality, disability and social inclusion is considered throughout materials. Conduct CP, PSEAH and Fraud risk assessment for all Abt Global PNG program activities. Develop CP, PSEAH and Fraud Corrective Actions Plans for medium and high-risk partners supporting service delivery, programming or other activities in consultation with the partner. Provide technical support to these partners to enable meaningful compliance including with Government of PNG stakeholders, as necessary. Consistently monitor and track CP, PSEAH & Fraud training and support provided to Abt Global PNG staff and external stakeholders through maintenance of an ongoing register. Consistently monitor and track through maintenance of a register all PATH medium and high-risk CP, PSEAH and Fraud grants or subcontracts including managing compliance evidence for audits. Responding to any reports or disclosures of child exploitation and abuse, sexual exploitation and abuse, or policy/code of conduct non-compliance in accordance with established procedures in liaison with the GEDSI and Safeguarding Lead. Provide support to PATH in incident management process, including coordinating with the Operations Lead on Fraud incidents Participate in internal and external audits on CP, PSEAH and Fraud compliance. Communication of all CP, PSEAH and Fraud policy and procedural changes to PATH staff and partners to ensure awareness, understanding and consistency of application of the policies. Serve as the central contact point for queries about child exploitation and abuse, sexual exploitation and abuse, or policy/code of conduct non-compliance and Child Protection and PSEAH in general. Liaise with Abt Associates’ Head Office in application of CP, PSEAH and Fraud processes, where necessary. Participate in leadership roles within Abt Global’s Safeguarding Community of Practice. Other reasonable duties as required by GEDSI and Safeguarding Lead.
Specific Deliverables
Position Specific Deliverables:
Conduct routine CP, PSEAH and Fraud risk assessments for Abt Global PNG programming, contracts and grants. Develop corrective action plans for partners rated as medium or high risk for CP, PSEAH and Fraud. Deliver relevant technical support, including training, to partners rated as medium and high risk to enable meaningful compliance. Track and monitor contract compliance to CP, PSEAH and Fraud minimum standards. Ensure consistent implementation of CP, PSEAH and Fraud policies and procedures across Abt Global PNG staff including through the provision of training. Ensure positive, collaborative engagement with the PATH and Abt Global PNG workstreams to ensure consistent application of CP, PSEAH and Fraud policies among staff and partners Incident management for all CP and PSEAH disclosures alongside GEDSI and Safeguarding Lead. Support to Operations Lead as requested for Fraud incidents.
Key working relationships
PATH GEDSI and Safeguarding Lead and Workstream PATH Operations Workstream and Lead Abt Management Services Teams: Safeguarding, Procurement and Contracts and HR Units PATH workstream teams: Frontline Health outcomes, National Bottlenecks and Reform, Provincial Performance Facilitation, Health Security Relevant AHC Representatives Relevant GoPNG Representatives (National Department of Health and Provincial Health Authorities) Relevant Program Partners
About You
For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided:
Significant demonstrated experience in supporting safeguarding compliance on large, complex programs, including leading the development and implementation of policy safeguard risk assessments, implementation plans and technical capacity development across a broad range of stakeholders. Exceptional interpersonal skills and proven experience in developing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholders to enable safeguarding compliance. Excellent analytical and writing skills including the preparation of reports, briefs and policy analysis for executive audiences and key stakeholders
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: Tuesday, 22 July, 2025 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT