About us

The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) is a centre for training excellence and collaboration, working in partnership with regional governments, industry and TVET training providers to develop a more skilled, inclusive and productive workforce aligned with domestic and international labour market requirements that enhances Pacific prosperity.

The Role

APTC is embarking on a significant expansion in scope, scale and geographic spread of activities within PNG with the incorporation of the PNG Skills for Sub-National Growth Investment (SNGI) programme within an already large and successful programme of TVET delivery and support.

The Executive Director is a member of the APTC Executive Team and plays a key role in ensuring the successful operation of APTC PNG against its goals and objectives, including collaboration with the Australian High Commission (AHC), DHERST and other key stakeholders on the strategic and longer-term direction for TVET provision in PNG.

Your key responsibilities include but not limited to;

• Ensuring APTC PNG performance and program objectives are achieved. This includes forging coalitions with partner institutions, industry/enterprises and the Government of PNG’s Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) to achieve sustainable PNG driven TVET reform.
• The Executive Director will be politically astute and well-connected in PNG. In this role you will have a sound understanding of the local context and enhanced capability for ‘thinking and working politically’.
• The Executive Director will ensure continued quality delivery of APTC training programs most relevant to national and international labour market needs. You will implement the SNGI, engage nationally and negotiate partnerships with key stakeholders critical to driving reform.

To be successful in this role you must have;

1. Tertiary qualification in international development or education or another relevant discipline such as political science, international business or change management.
2. Extensive demonstrated experience leading and managing in a complex environment with an understanding of, or the ability to quickly acquire an understanding of, the complex nature of TVET systems in developing countries.
3. Established conceptual, analytical and Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) skills including the ability to identify emerging issues, and expertise to resolve operational issues and manage innovative solutions to complex problems in an adaptive manner.
4. Practical experience in negotiating and developing new business opportunities as demonstrated through industry relationships management.
5. Experience working in the Pacific, preferably in TVET management or a development program.
6. Proven ability to establish priorities, organise and manage staff performance, achieve end-of-program objectives and to meet tight deadlines within a complex organisation.
7. Excellent verbal, written and ICT skills, stakeholder and relationship management skills, change management skills and an ability to prepare high-level responses and reports.

APTC is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages eligible candidates from diverse backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.