Special Projects Manager

About Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program     

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a signature initiative for the Australian Government that enables workers from 9 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Timor- Leste to work in priority sectors in Australia. The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program’s (PLMSP) role is to provide the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and governments in 9 PICs and Timor-Leste with support to enable workers to access PALM scheme in inclusive ways that maximise the benefits for the workers and national economies while minimising risks from labour mobility participation. Palladium is contracted to deliver PLMSP on behalf of DFAT.  

This Opportunity  

The Special Projects Manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating rapid responses to ad-hoc requests related to specific policy, thematic, and cross-cutting issues within the PALM scheme. These requests will outline targeted research, monitoring, and reporting deliverables, along with short-term coordination needs. The role requires agility in tracking and delivering on these requests, ensuring timely and effective outcomes across the PLMSP program.

This is a fixed term opportunity required to September 2028, based from our Brisbane or Canberra office.

The Special Projects Manager will be responsible for:  

·       Responding at short notice to ad hoc requests and Tasking Notes from DFAT, negotiating timelines, content, budget and agreeing output. 

·       Project managing from inception phase through to implementation, monitoring and completion phases for special projects and ad-hoc requests. 

·       Producing high quality data driven briefing, research, monitoring and reporting deliverables as part of special project delivery.  

·       Developing and providing written policy feedback, ideas and advice to DFAT on emerging issues tasked by the department.

·       Developing talking points for senior government officials on complex policy and process issues relating to the PALM scheme.

·       Undertaking agreed internal and external sub-projects designed to improve PLMSP or PALM scheme performance. 

·       Managing recruitment and procurement of specialist resources required to deliver on tasking notes. 

·       Providing coordination and secretariat functions as part of special projects. 

·       Providing regular progress reporting on PLMSP special projects to PLMSP senior management, DFAT and other key stakeholders. 

·       Providing surge support to PLMSP leads on the delivery of other key program activities and scope additional emerging initiatives in discussion with the PLMSP Senior Leadership Team.   

·       Understanding how innovation and technology shape the way we work and introduce new ways of working through AI, data and technology.

We are seeking an individual who:  

·       Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as management, economics, or a related discipline.

·       Minimum 5 years experience working in a policy and/or project management context. 

·       Must have experience working with Australian Government such as DFAT.

·       Excellent understanding of Australian Government processes, reporting and briefing requirements.

·       Strong understanding of contemporary policy issues and debates in relation to migration, Australian economics and regional geo-politics in the Pacific.

·       A demonstrated ability to build respectful, productive, and sustainable working relationships with a variety of stakeholders (including partner government, civil society and the private sector) and working together to achieve results. 

·       Demonstrated skill and experience at convening and facilitating productive interaction between diverse groups of people. 

·       Excellent written and presenting English skills, including writing briefings within an Australian public service or consulting firm context.  

·       Excellent organisational and project management skills, including an ability to initiate and follow up tasks, work independently, and prioritise and monitor progress.

We are committed to building a diverse, geographically dispersed workforce to maximize our support. We encourage applications from candidates from Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste, and across Australia. You must have valid Australian or country specific work rights to be considered for this position - visa sponsorship is not available.  

We strongly encourage people with disability to apply. Disclosing about your disability will not negatively affect your application. Please tell us as much as you feel comfortable for us to work with you about the appropriate adjustments that you might need. If you would like further information or assistance with this, please contact recruitment@plmsp.com.au    

How to Apply 

To apply visit https://thepalladiumgroup.com/careers 

Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position. 

Closing date: Sunday, 3 August 2025, at 11:59PM 

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About Palladium  

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.   

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.   

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.  

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.