Program Manager – Tonga, Pacific Labour Facility

Program Manager, Tonga – Pacific Labour Facility

Company Overview:
About Palladium – Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives.

Project Overview:
The Pacific Labour Facility (PLF) works with DFAT and DEWR to support the administration of the PALM scheme and facilitate opportunities for Australian employers to connect with workers from the Pacific and Timor Leste. The PLF is managed by Palladium and has been established as a trusted intermediary in supporting Australia-Pacific circu lar labour mobility.

Role:
The Program Manager, Tonga (PM) will work very closely with the Labour Mobility Engagement Manager, Tonga and the staff of the Overseas Employment Division (OED) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to support the recruitment and mobilisation of workers from Tonga to Australia.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: in line with the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga Circular Labour Mobility priorities, under the guidance of the Labour Sending Unit and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and with the supervision of the Deputy CEO of the OED, the Program Manager- Tonga will undertake the following duties:

• Work Ready Pool & Recruitment: work with LSU and relevant stakeholders to continuously review and strengthen the work ready pool through innovative design and delivery of processes, initiatives for worker registration, enhancement of work readiness programs including screening processes and references in line with national labour mobility policies. This can include ensuring quality worker selection, support AEs and the LSU to conduct targeted screening and interviewing and shortlisting of workers to meet employers’ requirements. Support the LSU with the transition to the In-Country Recruitment database as one such initiative.
• Mobilization: work closely with the LSU to review and update standard operating processes and policies to ensure alignment with labour mobility program changes; ensure systems, reporting and accountabilities are reviewed and updated to assist with planning, tracking progress and escalate issues where applicable, coordinate with key LSU stakeholders/ service providers in PNG, and ensure there is strong coordination between the LSU, approved employers and PLF staff in Australia to ensure workers are successfully mobilised to Australia. Support the LSU to ensure workers and their families are fully briefed on the terms and conditions of employment, visa and mobilisations.
• Pre-Departure Briefing: Provide support and leadership to PDB trainers including mentoring, coaching and ensure PDBs remain relevant and key messaging is delivered to workers to manage expectations. Support with the ongoing development of PDB resources.
• Reintegration Programs: Work with LSU and the PLF Reintegration Manager to develop and support the LSU and in-country partners to develop a reintegration policy and reintegration initiatives; leveraging connections with other DFAT funded programs and in-country networks.
• Worker Welfare: Support the Worker Welfare LSU staff member to appropriately respond to worker welfare issues that arise for the workers who are based overseas. Support the Worker Welfare role to develop a policy/ guidance so that there is clarity around the role of LSU regarding worker welfare.
• Team building: work with the Deputy CEO and senior LSU staff to provide mentoring and capacity building initiatives to the LSU staff, coordinate activities and develop appropriate tools to support the LSU team.
• Training: Work with training providers to deliver training, either one-on-one or to large groups and facilitate workshops to Labour Mobility Stakeholders.
• Marketing/Awareness: Support the LSU with their marketing, communications and awareness programs to inform the public, communities, workers and key LM stakeholders about Circular Labour Mobility in Tonga and the PALM program.
• Promote inclusion across all aspects of labour sending activities, including equality, disability and child protection.
• Promote communication, cross-learning and sharing of tools and ideas across the various components of the Pacific Labour Facility and LSU.

The Program Manager, Tonga will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline with demonstrated experience in policy development and policy writing in the pacific, and experience working in a project management, and/or partnership brokering role.
• A demonstrated ability to build respectful, productive and sustainable working relationships with a variety of stakeholders (including partner government, civil society and the private sector) and working together to achieve results.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated skill and experience at convening and facilitating productive interaction between diverse groups of people.
• Experience working with programs in the Pacific with a strong understanding of gender equality concepts and issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of different individuals and organisations across countries and time zones.
• High level proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and web browsers
• Ability to work to deadlines, and to balance competing priorities.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly in a cross-cultural context.
• An understanding of current issues in relation to circular labour mobility, including related policy and regulatory frameworks, and the ability to translate these to implementation.
• Experience in policy design and implementation, excellent written and communication skills, and delivery of training programs and/or facilitation
• Demonstrated understanding of best practice human resources and recruitment practices.

Remuneration, Allowances and Support Costs:
This position is classified under the Aid Adviser Remuneration Framework (ARF) at C2 classification, and any allowances and support costs the Adviser may be eligible to receive will be in accordance with the ARF.

Application Requirements:
Candidates must have current unrestricted work rights or be eligible to apply for a valid visa for Tonga.

Applications close on 02 February 2024.

The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract to 31 December 2024.