Manager - Semester & Mobility - New Colombo Plan Program Support Unit

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.

• Location – Adelaide, Australia preferred
• Duration – till 30 June 2029

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 Manager, Semester and Mobility is responsible for the effective end‑to‑end operational delivery of the NCP Semester and Mobility Programs. The role ensures both programs are implemented consistently, on time, and to a high standard of quality and compliance, in line with NCP policy priorities. 

Operating within the Program Delivery team and reporting to the Deputy Team Leader (Program Delivery), the Manager provides operational leadership to coordinate staff, oversees application and assessment processes, drives continuous improvement (particularly in relation to assessment quality), and ensures continuity of delivery across program rounds. 

The role plays a critical part in strengthening delivery resilience, embedding lessons learned from previous rounds, and supporting the evolution of the Semester and Mobility Programs as part of the broader NCP reform agenda. 

Primary Responsibilities

Program Delivery and Performance

• Lead the delivery of the NCP Semester and Mobility Programs, ensuring timely, compliant, and high-quality outcomes. 
• Manage annual application, assessment, selection, contracting, and funding processes. 
• Oversee assessment quality, funding administration, and program governance. 
• Maintain program procedures, guidance, and operational documentation. 
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with universities and provide guidance throughout the grant lifecycle. 
• Communicate program requirements, timelines, and priorities in partnership with DFAT. 
• Support communications, events, and promotional activities that showcase program outcomes.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a small team, ensuring effective workload management, quality delivery, and professional growth. 
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing, and service-oriented team culture.

Risk and Safeguarding 

•  Monitor program risks, compliance, and safeguarding obligations, escalating issues as required. 
• Support implementation of risk mitigation measures and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Respond to travel, safety, and critical incident matters in line with DFAT protocols. 

Reporting and Continuous Improvement 

• Deliver accurate reporting, performance metrics, and program insights to stakeholders. 
• Drive process, system, and service improvements to enhance program delivery.
• Monitor compliance and contribute to program evaluation and future planning. 

 Other Responsibilities 

• Uphold DFAT and Palladium policies, including safeguarding, GEDSI, and integrity standards. 
• Participate in organisational initiatives and professional development activities. 
• Undertake additional duties and travel as required to support program objectives. 

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

About You

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience. 
• Experience managing complex programs and high-volume delivery activities. 
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities. 
• Exceptional communication, relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills. 
• Experience working with government, higher education or international development programs will be highly regarded. 

How to Apply

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Please submit your application online, including your CV and a cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

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 accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com using the subject line: Manager - Semester & Mobility - New Colombo Plan Program Support Unit enquiry via EthicalJobs 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.