The World at Abt
Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.
We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.
To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you. Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.
The Opportunity
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) promotes and protects Australia’s international interests to support Australia’s security and prosperity. DFAT works with international partners and other countries to tackle global challenges, increase trade and investment opportunities, protect international rules, keep our region stable and help Australians overseas.
Specialist Health Service
Managed by Abt Associates, the Specialist Health Service (SHS) provides strategic input on health to the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
SHS is the primary source from which DFAT accesses health and development expertise and advisory services to improve the quality of health programming across DFAT’s global and regional health portfolio, through enabling access to responsive technical advice and support.
The Opportunity:
The position is Health Program Adviser. Successful candidates will be engaged through Abt Associates and will work in DFAT, Canberra. The salary for this role is AU$8,840 to $10,400 per month, depending on experience and including superannuation.
The roles will be based in Canberra and are Long Term Adviser positions with initial contract to 28 February 2026, with a possibility of a 24-month extension. Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated with successful applicants.
DFAT promotes and protects Australia’s international interests to support Australia’s security and prosperity. DFAT works with international partners and other countries to tackle global challenges, increase trade and investment opportunities, protect international rules, keep our region stable and help Australians overseas.
DFAT’s Global Health Division develops and delivers programs that contribute to regional and global health. GHD works across the Australian Government, with NGOs and research organisations, partner governments and multilateral bodies such as the World Health Organization to advance Australia’s interests and priorities.
DFAT’s $620 million, five-year Partnerships for a Healthy Region supports a broad range of activities to strengthen health systems in the Pacific and Southeast Asia for both communicable and non-communicable diseases, public health administration and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
GHD is seeking to create a talent pool of long-term advisers to support the implementation of the Partnerships for a Healthy Region Initiative. We are interested in applicants with expertise in one or more of the following areas – international development program management, public health policy and programming, health systems strengthening, universal health coverage, communicable and/or non-communicable disease control.
Core Responsibilities:
Provide advice and undertake technical analysis to support a broad range of health policy and program implementation requirements.
Manage the implementation of health programs in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, including program design; contracting; monitoring and evaluation; program governance; financial and program management; risk management; and internal and external stakeholder engagement and management.
Prepare high quality written material to support policy engagement and program implementation, including input for briefings, reporting and information requests.
Liaise across DFAT and its diplomatic network, with external agencies and other stakeholders to facilitate program delivery.
Monitor and report on health developments in the Indo-Pacific as directed.
Undertake other duties as required.
Key Selection Criteria
Experience working in international development and/or on global health issues.
Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or experience in public health, international development, project management, government, or related fields.
Has, or has the ability to obtain a baseline security clearance (minimum) or an NV1 security clearance (preferred). This requires applicants to have Australian citizenship.
Ability to cultivate productive working relationships across teams and with partners, including in cross-cultural contexts.
Desire to contribute to an inclusive and supportive professional environment, where diversity is celebrated.
Experience in health program management, including design, implementation, delivery and/or monitoring and evaluation.
Previous experience working with DFAT.
Strong understanding of health and/or development issues in the Indo-Pacific, including Australia’s priorities and interests.
Demonstrated good judgement and ability to deliver work to a high standard and within deadlines.
Good interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Strong written and oral English, including an ability to prepare a range of written material to a high standard.
How to Apply
Please submit your application online through the Abt Associates website attaching your resume/CV and a cover letter (as a single PDF document) addressing how you meet the selection criteria. Please note, this role requires valid working rights for Australia this is not a sponsored position. Please note applications close on the 12th of February at 11:59pm.
Refer to TOR to review further details and key requirements for this opportunity – Health Program Adviser