Assistant Program Officer, Pacific Islands

This position is open to Papua New Guinea nationals only

The Pacific Regional Initiative and Support for More Effective Counter Trafficking in Persons (Pacific RISE-CTIP) project is a 5-year project implemented by The Asia Foundation with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Pacific RISE-CTIP aims to address trafficking in persons (TIP) through a holistic, multi-sectoral approach that engages an inclusive cross-section of PIC stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen TIP prevention, protection, and prosecution.

The assistant program officer works closely with the Pacific RISE-CTIP chief of party, deputy chief of party, and program officer in planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities. developing innovative and entrepreneurial approaches in delivering and expanding the Foundation’s program in counter trafficking in persons. as well as identifying emerging issues and new opportunities for possible programming. This position is a consultancy with the possibility of transitioning to a staff position.

The assistant program officer closely coordinates and engages with Pacific RISE-CTIP’s partner organizations, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with program objectives, timely delivery of outputs, and compliance with USAID and The Asia Foundation’s rules on expenditures and overall program management. The assistant program officer will support the program officer in the determination of the program’s work plan, activities, outputs, periodic reports, and documentation of program activities in close coordination with the other members of the program team. They will provide administrative and logistical assistance to the program team on travel arrangements, events, training, workshop organizing, and management and will consult with Finance and Administration staff on all logistical, administrative, and financial aspects of program and grants management related to the project. The assistant program officer is also expected to work with the other program officers to deliver the team target results.

Relationships

• Regular interaction with the regional representative for the Pacific Islands, chief of party, deputy chief of party, program officer, other team members and staff and consultants involved in the program, the Finance and Administration unit, other program units within the Foundation, as well as the Evaluation and Learning unit.
• Regular contact with program partners, Pacific Islands stakeholders from government, civil society, and private sector working on TIP prevention, protection, and prosecution, as well as development partners and other implementers for information exchange and collaboration. Attendance in meetings, conferences, and external workshops as appropriate.

Responsibilities

Program Support and Management

• Support the program officer in determining project outputs, impact, overall project direction, and documentation of project activities.
• Assist the program officer in managing the relationship with USAID, the Papua New Guinea (PNG) government, and CSO stakeholders to support PNG counter-trafficking initiatives aligned with the Pacific RISE-CTIP annual implementation plans.
• Assist the program officer in managing effective reporting of activities and other updates from the program areas and implementors/grantees.
• Act as focal logistics person for logistical requirements in PNG for major events and project activities.
• Responsible for air travel and hotel bookings of all international guests, project and administrative staff, and consultants.
• Responsible for the preparation of administrative and logistics support, as needed.
• Assist the program officer in tracking on-going activities of partners/grantees, consultants, and other external service providers, to ensure all program activities and reports are delivered at high quality, making the most effective and efficient use of program resources.
• Participate in the organization of dissemination and facilitation of events as required.
• Draft letters of grant and amendments, letters of contract, and correspondence related to the project.
• Conduct due diligence on subgrantees and subcontractors according to donor conditions and regulations.
• Support drafting of periodic reports either for the Foundation’s internal reporting or for donor’s reporting requirements.
• Track activities of other organizations/development partners implementing counter-trafficking in persons activities.
• Contribute to developing any materials and publications that the Pacific Islands office will produce.
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned from time to time.
• Work closely with the finance team to ensure administrative documents are filed efficiently and properly.

Financial Management

• Support the deputy chief of party and Finance and Grants manager in the monitoring of activities’ expenditures and targets.
• Contribute to project budgeting and financial management. and
• Following Foundation policies and practices, ensure all financial documentation related to project activities is prepared, updated, and settled, including supporting documents.

Representation

• Participate in meetings and events with development and local partners, governments, businesses, and civil society organizations.
• Contribute to articles, written materials, and documentation for publication.
• Participate in Foundation meetings and other relevant professional forums and events.

Other Responsibilities

• Comply with all grant and contractual requirements, and related regulations and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with the Foundation’s policies and practices.
• Participate in Foundation-led initiatives as assigned.
• Undertake any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in international development in the Pacific with private, public, bilateral, or multilateral development institutions and/or nonprofit organizations.
• Bachelor’s degree in the Social Sciences, International Relations, Law, or other related field is preferred, but not required. 
  
• Deep local knowledge and familiarity in some of the following: human rights, transnational organized crime, labor rights, or similar or related development projects, preferably in the area of counter-trafficking in persons.
• Exposure to the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of development projects.
• Familiarity with PNG government institutions, agencies, systems and procedures, civil society, the private sector, and academia.
• Previous work on international development in the Pacific with private, public, bilateral, or multilateral development institutions and/or nonprofit organizations is also an advantage.
• Proven ability to work with respect and sensitivity to specific contexts.
• Strong logistical, coordination, and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to perform and collaborate in changing project environments.
• Strong network with government agencies, especially key institutions, local partners, and members of civil society working on human rights and counter-trafficking in persons.
• Excellent capacity to handle information with diligence.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills, including ability to work with cross-cultural teams and adaptability to developing country contexts.
• Strong track record of working independently and in a diverse team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task.
• Highly organized, proactive, energetic, and efficient.
• Ability to travel regionally and domestically, including to remote locations.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft applications and database management.
• Knowledge of the programs and operations of The Asia Foundation or similar international development organizations would be helpful.
• Knowledge of USAID or other international funding agency reporting requirements.