Australia Awards Fellowships Manager

Position description

Australia Awards Fellowships Manager – AAGSM PSU

• Fixed term contract up to 30 June 2029
• Competitive salary and flexible work options
• Based in Canberra

About Palladium

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social, climate and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to help solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, the environment, and, most importantly, people’s lives.

The Program

The Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM) is an initiative designed to enhance the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) international scholarship program delivery by providing operational, technical and analytical services to DFAT and the broader scholarship delivery network. The AAGSM consists of the Program Support Unit (PSU) – responsible for deliv ery of operational and technical services and the Research and Analytical Support Unit (RASU) – responsible for delivery of analytical and research services. Palladium delivers the AAGSM PSU and cooperates with DFAT to ensure effective functioning with the RASU.

Australia Awards Fellowships are a key modality of DFAT’s international scholarship program delivered under the AAGSM PSU. Australia Awards Fellowships target senior and mid-career officials and professionals who can advance development outcomes in priority areas and increase the institutional capacity of partner countries through their leadership. Through Australia Awards Fellowships, Australian organisations can apply for funding to host and support a range of professional development activities (that do not lead to formal qualifications) from 2 to 52 weeks.

The Role

The Australia Awards Fellowships Manager will lead the Australia Awards Fellowsh ips team to ensure Fellowships management is outcomes and stakeholder focused, high quality, efficient and consistent with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Principles, and all other defining and legislative policies and guidelines.

As the Australia Awards Fellowships Manager your primary responsibilities will include:

• Leading development and delivery of the Fellowships Six-Monthly Work Plans according to the activities, resources and timeframes agreed with DFAT, maximising opportunities for collaboration and efficiency.
• Overseeing high-quality delivery of Australia Awards Fellowships including enquiries management and inbox support, grant cycle management, financial management, communications, SmartyGrants administration, probity, performance and risk management.
• Collaborating with the AAGSM PSU Senior Management Team to ensure coherence across the PSU and other Australia Awards programs including in the areas of grants financial management, development priorities mainstreaming and communications and public diplomacy outreach.
• Developing delivery principles, standards, policies, process maps and templates to provide a consistent, user friendly and measurable service experience to Fellowship stakeholders.
• Leading Fellowships lifecycle monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities. Ensure lessons learnt are incorporated into each grant round and coordinate with RASU to ensure effective Fellowship analysis and reporting.
• Supporting DFAT to proactively build and maintain effective working relationships with primary Fellowship delivery partners including DFAT Posts, Geographic and Thematic areas and current and prospective AHOs including tertiary institutions, Whole of Government and the private sector. Act as a trusted intermediary and coordinate engagement between multiple stakeholders and delivering industry briefings.
• Working with DFAT and RASU to explore, design and implement approaches to enhance Fellowship quality and deliver strengthened partnerships and other strategic priorities.

Qualifications

Drawing on your ability to lead, influence and manage, you will contribute:

• Qualifications and/or a depth of experience in international program management. International donor, particularly DFAT program experience would be highly valued.
• Significant experience in grant administration, with a strong preference for expertise in managing fellowships and/or scholarships.
• Expertise in program delivery, delivery of quality management systems and implementation of standard practices and continuous improvements.
• Skilled in using relevant information systems to facilitate efficient and seamless grants administration and records management, with experience in SmartyGrants being highly regarded.
• Extensive experience in leading and managing teams, particularly within diverse and multicultural environments, with a proven ability to inspire, mentor and develop staff effectively.
• Demonstrated excellence in client management and stakeholder engagement to maintain engaged and productive relationships.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on tendersglobal.net