Program Officer – Sri Lanka
Australia Awards South Asia & Mongolia

Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia (AASAM) is administered by Palladium on behalf of the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The Program goal is to support eight partner countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – in achieving their development goals through education and knowledge transfer, and to build enduring relationships with Australia that advance mutual interests.

AASAM is looking to recruit up to 2 x Program Officer positions in the Colombo, Sri Lanka office.

Both positions will support the Country Program Manager (CPM) – Sri Lanka in the effective and efficient delivery of Australia Awards in Sri Lanka. This will include providing support in the management of Australia Awards Sc holarships, Short Courses and Australian Professional Opportunities (APOs), engaging with alumni, communicating with a range of stakeholders, monitoring and evaluating the program, and undertaking financial and administrative support functions.

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter systematically addressing previous experiences in each of the Key Responsibilities listed in the Job and Person Specification. This document can be requested from Mia Tong via email at: mia.tong@thepalladiumgroup.com.

The job advertisement will close on the 18th of September at 10:00PM Adelaide time.

Location:
Colombo

You and Your Career:
If you are a problem-solver, collaborator, and do-er, and you have expertise in scholarships management, grant management, or DFAT funded programs we are interested in hearing from you.

We are a learning organization and provide growth opportunities from the start. We pride ourselves on giving you the freedom, resources, and guidance to chart a fulfilling career!

Reporting Lines:
Both Program Officer positions report to the Country Program Manager.

Key internal working relationships include other members of the Australia Awards – Sri Lanka team, the Regional Finance & Administration Manager, Manager – Continuing Professional Development Solutions, Regional Communications Coordinator, Regional Alumni Coordinator, Scholar Engagement Coordinator, Gender Equality, Disability & Social Inclusion Coordinator, and a number of supporting Short-term Advisers and Palladium personnel.

Key external working relationships include: the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Australian host universities, sub-contracted training providers, sub-contracted consultants, and program applicants, scholars/recipients and alumni.

Primary Roles and R esponsibilities:
The Program Officer will be assigned a portfolio of responsibilities by the Country Program Manager, which may vary from time to time.

For a complete list of duties associated to each of the key responsibilities listed, please request a copy of the Job and Person specification from Mia Tong via email: mia.tong@thepalladiumgroup.com.

Essential Criteria:

1. Excellent communication skills and experience of working effectively across cultures
2. Demonstrated ability in client and stakeholder relationship management
3. High level written and verbal English language skills
4. A high standard of computer literacy, including the use of Microsoft Office, internet and email; and experience in data entry and data management
5. Knowledge of practical office and business principles and practice, including financial literacy
6. Demonstrated sensitivity to gender, disability and social inclusion
7. High ethical standards and a commitment to integrity and professionalism
8. Relevant tertiary qualifications, such as an undergraduate degree in Development Studies, Development Communications, Business Management or a related social science discipline

Desirable Criteria:

1. Prior experience on a donor-funded – preferably DFAT-funded – program
2. Study/work experience in Australia
3. Understanding of Sri Lanka’s development priorities

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 and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventive 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.