Risk and Safeguarding Manager - New Colombo Plan (NCP)

Risk and Safeguarding Manager - New Colombo Plan (NCP) Program Support Unit (PSU)

Are you passionate about strengthening safety, integrity and risk management in global programs? This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead the risk and safeguarding function for the Australian Government's flagship New Colombo Plan. You will work at the intersection of government, higher education and international engagement by designing systems that protect and empower students across the Indo-Pacific. If you're a strategic thinker who thrives in complex environments and wants to make a meaningful, lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.

About Palladium
Palladium is a global development and consulting firm, part of the GISI Consulting Group, working alongside some of the world's leading project management and engineering organisations. We partner with governments, businesses, investors and communities to design and deliver complex programs that create lasting impact. With a presence across more than 90 countries, Palladium offers the opportunity to work on meaningful challenges, alongside talented colleagues, in environments where your work can truly make a difference.

About The Project
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) plays a key role in supporting the Australian Government's objectives in building Asia capability. It aims to lift the Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to undertake study, language learning and internships in the Indo-Pacific. The goal of NCP is NCP alumni contribute their skills, knowledge and networks to Australia's enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. This is achieved through three complementary grants programs: the Scholarship Program, Mobility Program and Semester Program.

The NCP PSU is administered by Palladium on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM). The AAGSM provides operational and technical support services to DFAT's International Education and Scholarships Branch, with two End of Investment Outcomes (EOIOs):

• EOIO 1 - Operational Support: High quality and efficient administrative and standard business support services provided to DFAT.
• EOIO 2: Technical Support: High quality, coherent, consistent and fit for purpose technical support services that also promote gender equality, disability and social inclusion outcomes throughout DFAT's international scholarship programs network.

The NCP Program Support Unit (NCP PSU) supports DFAT's New Colombo Plan Secretariat (NCS) with high-quality grant administration and management consistent with the principles of the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Principles. Support service delivery includes end-to-end grants cycle and funds management, as well as technical support in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), alumni engagement, communications, events management, business sector engagement and risk management.

About the Role
The purpose of the Risk and Safeguarding Manager is to establish the cross-cutting risk, safety and safeguarding function within the NCP PSU. The Manager will be a key driver of change with the development and implementation of a Risk and Safeguards Management Plan, considering emerging risks associated with the increasing scale of the program such as scholar risk and incident management. The Manager is therefore responsible for the design, operation and continuous improvement of the risk and safeguarding architecture across all NCP programs and support functions to operationalise risk management requirements in NCP Guidelines and grant agreements, including through guidance, toolkits, incident response coordination protocols, training and assurance mechanisms.

Primary Responsibilities
Program Delivery & Risk Systems

• Lead the design and implementation of the Risk and Safeguards Management Plan
• Develop policies, systems, tools, and templates
• Establish incident management and escalation protocols
• Strengthen risk management across all NCP programs
  

Incident Management & Safeguarding

• Lead critical incident responses
• Manage safeguarding incidents in line with DFAT policies
• Coordinate investigations with Palladium Risk & Governance teams

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary DFAT contact on risk and safeguarding
• Engage universities and International Liaison Officers
• Deliver training on safeguarding and risk protocols
  

Leadership & Capability Building

• Drive change across risk and safeguarding practices
• Build team capability and embed best practice processes
• Maintain and oversee the risk register
  

Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain reporting, data, and trend analysis
• Ensure alignment with DFAT standards
• Integrate risk priorities into annual planning
  

Please refer to the Terms of Reference to learn more about the role: Terms of Reference

About You

• The ideal candidate should have:
• Relevant qualification or experience in risk, safety or safeguarding
• 5+ years' experience in complex or international environments
• Experience in government, education or development programs
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills (including senior government clients)
• Proven ability in change management and systems improvement
• Excellent communication, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

How to Apply
Click the "Apply Now" button
Please submit your application online, including your CV and a cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

Closing date: Thursday 3rd September 2026 at 11:59pm AEST

If this opportunity interests you, we encourage you to apply promptly, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

This is a Locally engaged role, people who have existing working and living rights in Australia are encouraged to apply.

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 ••••@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.