Senior Medical Officer - Obstetrics and Gynaecology | PATH 

Location: Port Moresby, PNG Commencement: August 2025 Duration of contract: Up to 12 months Open to PNG Citizens only 

 

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: 

1. PHAs more able to lead provincial health reform and manage effective, efficient, equitable and quality essential health services in selected provinces. 

2. 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.  

 

About the Project

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has the 7th highest rate of new tuberculosis (TB) cases globally (432 per 100,000 population), rising to 1,117 per 100,000 in the National Capital District (NCD). PNG is designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a high-burden country for TB, TB-HIV, and drug-resistant TB. Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) plays a key role as the main referral site for TB diagnosis and treatment initiation in NCD and neighboring provinces.

Pregnant and post-partum women are at elevated risk of developing TB, and this group is recognized as a priority for TB screening by both the PNG National Department of Health and WHO. PMGH records approximately 14,000 deliveries annually, with 40–60 women diagnosed with TB in the obstetrics ward each year. Despite these efforts, an estimated 25–50% of TB cases in this population may go undiagnosed.

The Child-Maternal TB/HIV Program (CMTHP), implemented by the Paediatric Society of Papua New Guinea (PSPNG), aims to integrate TB services within maternal and child health platforms at PMGH. The program delivers family-centered care to pregnant and post-partum mothers. TB screening is conducted at antenatal care (ANC) clinics, in the labor ward, and during post-natal care. Screening includes patient education, symptom-based surveys, and—when indicated—diagnostic procedures such as chest X-rays (CXR) and sputum examination, aligned with national and international guidelines.

 

About the Opportunity

As a Senior Medical Officer in O&G - responsibilities extend beyond clinical oversight to include staff management, reporting, and basic human resource functions. The consultant will be expected to provide leadership across the maternal TB program team, ensure timely submission of reports, maintain high performance standards among staff, and liaise with implementing and hospital partners as needed.

Objective

Provide clinical leadership and clinical expertise for families, particularly children, affected by TB and/or HIV  Lead a team of dedicated healthcare workers to improve care and treatment of children and families affected by TB/HIV Support clinical education of junior healthcare workers (nurses, health extension officer, undergraduate medical students and post-graduate medica students).

Timing of work inputs

Up to 12 months full time.

Accountability and working relationships

The SMO will be responsible to the Project Director of the PSPNG & The Executive Dean at UPNG-SMHS.  For day-to-day activities the SMO will report to the O&G Unit at PMGH

 

Key Responsibilities

The expected outcomes are:

Manage the Child TB-HIV Project with the Child TB-HIV Project Director. Clinical management of TB-HIV patients,  Assist UPNG-SMHS in providing lectures to undergraduate and postgraduate students Assist/support the O&G Society of PNG. Deliver activity reports and contribution to projects report and presentation, as demonstrated in data recording, analysis and reported on time and to a professional standard Oversee and provide leadership to the outreach and contact tracing program Maintained strong and productive relationships with key staff and counterparts and received satisfactory feedback on performance.

 

Key working relationships 

The Child TB SMO will work closely with other key counterparts and stakeholders (both government and non-government) and will coordinate activities closely with other Abt/PATH staff working within the provinces and sectors as required.

 

About You 

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

        Qualifications and Skills:

Qualifications as a Senior Medical Officer

        Work Experience:

Strong background in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and TB Programming 3 to 5 Years of work experience in a similar industry

        Personal Attributes:

Exceptional communication skills in building relationships with partners and clients. Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.

 

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, 30 July 2025 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT