First Nations Engagement and Partnership Adviser

Job Brief:

This role is open to both international and PNG national candidates.

Position Description:

DT Global has been engaged by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to manage the next phase of Australia’s investment in strengthening the delivery of law and justice services in Papua New Guinea for a 4-year period to December 2027.

APLJ seeks to contribute to PNG’s law and justice sector capacity to provide inclusive, safe, secure and accountable law and justice foundations for peaceful and prosperous communities, equitable economic development and private sector growth.

APLJ aligns with the Australia-PNG Development Partnership Plan (DPP) 2024–2029 and the Government of Papua New Guinea’s (GoPNG) law and justice sector goal of ‘building peaceful and prosperous communities together.’

APLJ will focus on three End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

EOPO 1 - Community Safety and Access to Justice at the Local Level: Communities in target locations, especially women, children, persons with disabilities, vulnerable people and those accused of sorcery, have improved access to selected justice and support services.

EOPO 2 - Law and Justice Services Supply: Responsible law and justice sector agencies increasingly provide selected inclusive, responsive, and accountable essential law and justice services in target locations.

EOPO 3 - Leadership, Coordination and Accountability: Responsible law and justice mechanisms demonstrate improved sectoral leadership and coordination of national and subnational law and justice services and improved sector integrity systems.

APLJ will have a strong focus on addressing gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion (GEDSI): this includes continued and strengthened attention to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and strengthened opportunities for women in leadership, as well as increased focus on the engagement of persons with a disability and other particularly marginalized populations.

The program will continue Australia’s support to law and justice development in Enga, Hela, Madang, Morobe, Southern Highlands, Western, West New Britain and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (the National Capital District will be covered through support to national agencies).

Additionally, the DPP prioritises fostering partnerships and exchanges between First Nations communities in Australia and local communities in PNG, encouraging shared knowledge and collaboration.

About DT Global Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com

The Role

The First Nations Engagement and Partnership Adviser will undertake a targeted assessment of APLJ’s current engagement with Australian First Nations businesses, organisations and partners, with a focus on identifying practical opportunities to strengthen First Nations participation in APLJ procurement, programming and partnership activities.

The Adviser will review relevant procurement and supply chain data, program documentation, supplier information and existing engagement practices to establish a baseline of current First Nations participation, identify barriers and enabling factors, and assess areas where increased participation may be feasible and provide value to APLJ.

The Adviser will also develop a prioritised and actionable pipeline of procurement and partnership opportunities. This will include identifying relevant First Nations businesses and organisations, matching potential suppliers and partners to specific APLJ needs and opportunities, and recommending practical changes to procurement, market engagement and partnership practices.

The Adviser will also identify opportunities to support the Australia–PNG Development Partnership Plan objective of fostering partnerships and exchanges between First Nations communities in Australia and communities and institutions in PNG. This may include identifying potential twinning or knowledge-exchange opportunities relevant to APLJ’s law and justice mandate, particularly where there is interest from PNG partners and potential for future engagement.

The Adviser will work closely with the APLJ team, DT Global’s First Nations Lead, procurement and corporate functions, and relevant technical teams to ensure findings are translated into practical actions that can be implemented during the remainder of the program.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position:

https://tinyurl.com/3tbe7v6n

About You

· Relevant tertiary qualifications applicable to Law and Justice, International Development, or other relevant qualification

· In depth knowledge and understanding of First Nations engagement

· Demonstrated experience undertaking procurement, supply chain, market and organizational program reviews and assessment

· Experience engaging with First Nations organizations, businesses, communities or representative bodies with an understanding of culturally appropriate engagement approaches

· Experience working with government, NGO and CSO counterparts including technical advisers and other specialists critical to the program’s successful performance

· Experience in coordinating with multiple partners and harnessing and strengthening networks.

· Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt

· Ability to work under pressure and at times meet multiple deadlines

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

· Flexibility and adaptability to work with multiple stakeholders across diverse cultures

This role is open to suitable qualified both International and PNG Nationals’ candidates.

Why join APLJ?

Provide program selling points, as an example:

By joining APLJ, you will be part of an environment where you can collaborate with leading experts from diverse backgrounds, access development programs to achieve your career goals, and be challenged to take a global outlook.