About the Program
The Australia – PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment to assist GoPNG to create a stable and more prosperous country. The investment is a key coordination point from which Australia delivers its economic development support to PNG in alignment with the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP). The Australian Government is committed to delivering the Partnership in accordance with the principles of integration and alignment with PNG’s economic sector policies, systems and processes.
The Partnership’s policy objective is to assist PNG in its efforts to achieve sustained growth, capable of lifting the standard of living of all citizens, while also ensuring Australia maintains its reputation as PNG’s economic partner of choice.
The Partnership has gender equality, disability social inclusion (GEDSI), women’s economic empowerment (WEE), climate change, economic dialogue and open government positioned as cross-cutting objectives across all engagement areas.
It has the following End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):
- EOPO 1 Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
- EOPO 2 Strengthening Public Financial Management (PFM)
- EOPO 3 Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
- EOPO 4 Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
- EOPO 5 Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue
About the Program Activity
PNG is undergoing a major economic reform program with the support of international institutions like the IMF and ADB. The PNG Treasurer is driving the development and implementation of the PNG Government’s budgetary and economic reforms to achieve the PNG Government’s economic and development ambition, including budget repair, lifting living standards, job growth and overcoming barriers to doing business. The role will support the Treasurer and the Department of Treasury to achieve these goals through coordinating work toward meeting PNG’s economic and fiscal policy reform targets.
About the Opportunity
The Macro-Fiscal Adviser will work in a dynamic environment to primarily support the Treasurer to the Government of PNG. This position will involve assisting the Treasurer in the development and implementation of fiscal and economic strategies and reforms to guide the Marape-Rosso government’s fiscal and economic reform agenda. This position will also work closely across the Treasury Ministry and the Department of Treasury to ensure there is adequate support being provided to the Treasurer, in addition to ensuring the support is coherent and consistent across the Government. The successful applicant must be able to adapt to the requirements of working for the Treasurer, collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders, and contribute to various fiscal and economic reforms.
The role requires participation in review processes and preparations of a macroeconomic and fiscal reform agenda, aligned with the 13 Years Fiscal Plan, the Medium Terms Development Plan IV, and PFMA legislation.
Specific responsibilities
- Support the Treasurer and advisory team by providing research and analytical input for policy advice, with a focus on improving development, and strengthening fiscal and economic reforms.
- Assist in providing advice to the Treasurer and advisory team on strengthening governance, coordination, and the successful implementation of fiscal and economic reforms across the Government of Papua New Guinea.
- Contribute to advice for the Treasurer on ensuring the alignment of development partners’ fiscal and economic assistance with policies and plans of the Government of Papua New Guinea.
- Work collaboratively with staff and other advisers in the Treasury Ministry and across other economic ministries to provide comprehensive and coherent support to the Treasurer.
- Participate in promoting a culture of professionalism, best practice, high performance, and excellence and contribute to discussions on proposed fiscal and economic reforms in the Treasury Ministry.
- Support consultations and liaise across the GoPNG and other key stakeholders to ensure any donor assistance aligns with the Government’s fiscal and economic reform priorities.
- Attend high level meetings chaired by the Treasurer; such as Ministerial Economic Committee; Budget Management Committee; and meetings with senior officials, sector organizations, and other relevant stakeholders about key economic and fiscal reforms, and any economic and fiscal assistance by donors, as required.
- Assist the Treasury Ministry and the Department of Treasury to coordinate with key project proponents, the private sector, development institutions, and bilateral partners to prioritize the programs and projects with the greatest fiscal and economic impact.
- Provide support in identifying potential blockages to the implementation of economic and fiscal reforms and contribute to designing workable solutions.
- Assist in identifying potential areas of risks for the Treasurer with regards to fiscal and economic reforms and support the development of risk mitigation strategies.
- Perform any other duties as requested by the Treasurer.
Specific deliverables
The expected outputs of this assignment are:
- Assist in providing regular advice, both written and verbal, to the Treasurer and the Treasury Ministry about the design and implementation of key fiscal and economic reforms required to strengthen the budget and the economy.
- Contribute to the timely delivery of a high-quality Budget and other fiscal and economic reporting led by the Treasurer and the Department of Treasury.
- Support the development and management of the engagement between the Treasury Ministry and the Department of Treasury and other agencies under the Treasurer’s determination by contributing to the establishment of a mechanism to allow for regular and routine engagements between the Treasurer and key Department of Treasury officials to discuss the status of the budget, economy, and proposed economic and fiscal reforms.
- Assist in providing monthly update reports to APEP on workflow tasks and progress.
Key working relationships
- The Treasurer, Treasurer’s Senior Advisory Team and Office staff
- Department of Treasury: Deputy Secretary, Economic Policy, Deputy Secretary, Budgets and Financial Management, FAS Macroeconomic Policy, FAS Financial Management, FAS Budget Coordination and Analysis, FAS Budget Operations
- Australian High Commission
- Team Leader, Economic Policy Division
- APEP Director and Team
About You
For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided.
- A degree in a relevant field (i.e., Statistics, Economics, Business Management, and related areas).
- Proven experience developing and implementing research strategies, plans and budgets.
- Extensive understanding of the research context, environment, and organisations in PNG.
- Outstanding cross-cultural communication, stakeholder, and relationship management skills.
- Ability to analyse situations or problems or risks, and propose appropriate responses, solutions, and mitigations.
- Experience in managing staff resources and performance to deliver expected outputs and outcomes.
- Strong understanding of MERLA frameworks and progress reporting.
- Proven experience integrating key cross-cutting themes such as GEDSI, Women’s Economic Empowerment, climate change and First Nations’ perspectives.
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: 10 December 2023 (Midday, local time)
Abt Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery, and Fraud Protection.
We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities.