• Are you experienced and skilled in collaborative partnership development and design?
• Provide specialist support to facilitate DFAT funded partners to agree a partnership approach for support to the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) in Timor-Leste.
• Short term contract, up to 10 days between May and June 2023. Inputs to be completed in Dili, Timor-Leste or remotely. Category D, Level 4 under DFATs ARF.

About the Program

To assist the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) in achieving higher impact in poverty reduction, human capital development, disability inclusion, gender equality and inclusive growth through social transfers, the Government of Australia (GoA) has committed technical support through two of its investments – the Partnership for Human Development (PHD) in Timor-Leste and its regional initiative – Partnerships for Social Protection program (P4SP).
PHD supports the Government of Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 with the goal that ‘people in Timor-Leste are healthier, better-educated and better able to contribute to Timor-Leste’s development’. Through PHD, Australia supports the GoTL to deliver higher quality and inclusive services in primary health, basic education and social protection. Abt Associates Australia is the implementation partner for PHD, contracted until May 2026.

The Partnerships for Social Protection program (P4SP) aims to contribute to greater coverage of quality, sustainable social protection systems in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Timor-Leste that reduce poverty and exclusion, address vulnerabilities through the life-course and stimulate economic growth. P4SP is delivered in partnership with Development Pathways and JID.

About the Opportunity

The Partnership Broker will facilitate DFAT funded partners (PHD, P4SP and Catalpa) to discuss and agree a partnership approach with corresponding tools and agreements to ensure optimal technical support is provided to MSSI and sustainable outcomes achieved.

Key responsibilities will include:

• provide a proposed work plan that outlines inputs/meetings and participation required to shape the partnership
• establish and document a guidance note that informs all parties on Ways of Working including:
o shared goals and responsibilities
o success indicators
o decision-making processes
o communication protocols
o mutual expectations
o safe and objective grievance mechanisms
o clear definitions of roles, accountabilities, and responsibilities
o risk management

About You

We are seeking an individual who will bring:
• Tertiary qualifications in development studies, international relations or other relevant field.
• Certificate in Partnership Brokering
• Considerable experience working in the international development sector.
• Considerable previous experience and high-level skills in negotiation and collaborative partnership development and design.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and documenting principles, guidance notes and ways of working for partnerships.
• High-level skills in facilitating meetings, workshops with diverse stakeholders and partners, including senior government personnel.
• An understanding of development programming in the social protection sector is desirable.
• Previous experience working with DFAT funded programs is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.

Background

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) supports the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) in Timor-Leste with a range of initiatives to address challenges at different levels within the social protection sector with the primary focus on the design, management, implementation and monitoring of the newly launched mother and child cash transfer program – Bolsa da Mãe – Jerasaun Foun (BdM-JF), and the policy reform dialogue for the overall Bolsa da Mãe program, covering children aged 7 to 17 years of age.

BdM-JF will provide monthly cash transfers to all pregnant women, and all children until the age of 6 years. The GoTL through decree law # 22/2021 have committed to national expansion of the program by 2025, commencing in the first three Municipalities in 2022. As the BdM-JF program grows, the demands on the technical support will become more complex reinforcing the need to have clear roles and responsibilities mapped out across all DFAT funded parties involved in supporting MSSI.

PHD is the lead program responsible for managing DFAT funded support to MSSI. Technical support is currently provided through PHD, P4SP and Catalpa International. PHD has sub-contracted Catalpa International to support MSSI to design, develop and implement an integrated management information system (MIS) for BdM-JF and to support MSSI to frame their broader digitisation strategy for social protection.
In addition to significant GoTL budget allocation, the GoA also provides Direct Budget Support (DBS) to the GoTL for the BdM-JF program.

Further Information & How to Apply

Please apply online through the careers page of the Abt Associates website via the following link: https://egpy.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/JoinAbt/job/103424/?utm_medium=jobshare
Please attach a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.
For further information please email the PHD People & Culture team via [email protected]. Please insert the job title in the email subject heading.

Closing Date: 3 May 2023 (AEST)