Program Manager – Infrastructure and Governance.
The Australian High Commission in Nuku'alofa invites applications for the position of Program Manager – Infrastructure and Governance.
About the role:
The Program Manager (Infrastructure and Governance) is a key member of the Australian High Commission Governance team, with coordination, analytical and program management responsibilities. The position will work as part of a small team and will provide management, oversight and coordination of infrastructure investments and Governance program under Australia’s International Development Policy and Tonga-Australia Development Partnership Plan. The officer will accompany senior diplomats to official meetings and events and will also provide support for visiting Australian ministers and senior officials as required. International or domestic travel is occasionally required to represent the program at meetings, attend training and monitor aid investments.
Terms of employment:
The terms of employment will be in accordance with the Nuku’alofa Locally Engaged Staff Terms and Conditions of Employment. Employment will be offered on a permanent (on-going) contract basis at the LE5 broadband level with an annual salary range between TOP 36,433.32 and TOP 42,606.84 depending on experience. Continued employment is subject to a successful completion of a six-month probation period.
The Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa offers a package that includes recreation and personal carer’s days, medical benefits, and superannuation contributions.
To discuss any aspects of the role, you can contact [email protected] or visit
www.tonga.embassy.gov.au/nkfa/Opportunities.html for more details.
How to apply:
A full copy of the Duty Statement and Requirements may be downloaded from our website www.tonga.embassy.gov.au; from our Facebook page, through email by contacting the Australian High Commission via email – [email protected] or collected from the Australian High Commission reception.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 4.00 pm on Thursday 23 July 2025. Applications should include:
- A covering letter (maximum one page);
- A curriculum vitae (maximum three pages) which includes details of two referees, one of whom should be a current or recent manager; and
- A written response addressing the qualifications and experience criteria (maximum 400 words)
Please submit your application either by email to [email protected] or in a hard copy addressed to HR Personnel – Job Vacancy and dropped off at the Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa.
Late or incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
LES Position Description
|
AGENCY |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
|
POSITION NUMBER |
|
|
POSITION TITLE |
Program Manager |
|
CLASSIFICATION |
LE5 |
|
SECTION |
Policy and Programs (Development) |
|
REPORTS TO (TITLE) |
Senior Program Manager, Development |
About the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high-quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas. The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests. The Australian High Commission in Tonga advances these objectives at a national and regional level from Nuku’alofa.
About the position
Under broad direction, the Program Manager is responsible for delivering Australian development policies and programs in Tonga, through leadership and management of development activities, and building effective partnerships with relevant stakeholders in Tonga and the region. This position will lead DFAT’s infrastructure and aviation programs, including fostering relationships with Government ministries and agencies, international and regional programs and Tonga’s private sector. The Program Manager will be part of a small team managing and providing policy advice on portfolio of activities under Australia’s International Development Policy and Tonga-Australia Development Partnership Plan. International or domestic travel may be occasionally required to represent the program at meetings, attend training and monitor aid investments.
Key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
- Manage the effective delivery of Australia’s infrastructure and governance programs in Tonga, in collaboration with Australian, Tongan, regional and international partners.
- Negotiate and collaborate with senior Tongan Government officials, other Tongan, Australian and international partners to develop and implement aid activities and support the Tongan Government to enhance performance and ensure value for money.
- Ensure DFAT’s policy requirements are met (including cross-cutting policies such as gender, disability inclusion, child-protection and climate change), undertake financial and quality assurance, and support alignment with Government of Tonga policies.
- Undertake research, analysis, pipeline planning, and problem solving on relevant issues to inform DFAT investment.
- Report on program outcomes, provide expert and evidence-based advice, draft or provide input to DFAT policy, reporting, correspondence, briefs and submissions on a wider range of matters relevant to Australia’s work in Tonga.
- Monitor and report on emerging DFAT, Tongan Government and other agency policy developments on infrastructure and governance and maintain a thorough understanding of how issues directly relate to the multilateral and bilateral relationships between Australia and the Pacific.
- Develop and maintain strong internal relationships across DFAT as well as external relationships with relevant Tongan Government officials, development partners and other stakeholders.
- Represent and promote the interests of the Australian High Commission at a range of forums, events and meetings, and report on program outcomes.
- Provide logistical and other support to high-level Australian visits.
Required Qualifications/Experience
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or work experience in either development, project management, governance, infrastructure or related field.
- Highly developed program management skills, including project planning, financial management, contract management, and monitoring and evaluation.
- The ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse and cross-cultural set of stakeholders, and to support other team members.
- Highly developed and influential English language communication skills (written and oral) that support decision-making, advocacy, partnerships and public diplomacy.
- Demonstrated ability to independently make decisions, and progress work, on complex and sensitive issues.
- Experience and understanding of the Tongan development context, including culture and governance.
- Flexibility to adjust to new areas of policy or program focus as needed.
- Fluent Tongan language is essential.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Defence Office Manager
The Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa invites applications for the position of Defence Office Manager.
All suitable applicants will be placed into a merit pool that may be used to fill similar vacancies in the next 12 months.
About the role:
We are seeking an experienced and energetic individual to fill this exciting position in the Australian High Commission’s Defence Section.
The Defence Office Manager provides financial, administrative and office management support to the Defence Advisor (DA) and staff as well as the delivery of services to Australian Defence Force (ADF) posted staff in Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati. The position manages and leads the financial and human resource services, whilst providing capability management and support services to the Defence Adviser, Assistant Defence Advisor and senior official visitors to the Defence Office.
All staff are required to assist in a crisis or humanitarian response.
To discuss any aspects of the roles, you can contact [email protected] or phone (+676) 20400.
Terms of employment:
The terms of employment will be in accordance with the Nuku’alofa Locally Engaged Staff Terms and Conditions of Employment. Employment will be offered on a permanent (on-going) contract basis at the LE5 broadband level with an annual salary range between TOP35,545 and TOP41,567 depending on experience. Continued employment is subject to a successful completion of a six-month probation period.
The Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa offers a package that includes recreation and personal carer’s days, medical benefits, and superannuation contributions.
The Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa will not be responsible for any costs incurred if applying for a Tongan visa, relocation costs, nor the return of the officer and family to their country of origin at the end of the contract. The High Commission will not bear any responsibility for assisting applicants to obtain or maintain the right to work in Tonga.
The Australian High Commission is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from people with disabilities are encouraged.
How to apply:
- A covering letter which includes information on your skills and qualifications relevant to the position (maximum one page);
- A Curriculum Vitae outlining personal details, relevant work experience and educational qualifications (maximum two pages), and
- Contact details for two referees.
Please submit your application either by email to [email protected] (preferred) or in a hard copy addressed to HR Personnel – Job Vacancy and dropped off at the Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 4:00pm on Friday 11 July 2025. Applications should include
Late or incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
|
AGENCY |
Department of Defence |
|
POSITION NUMBER |
11585 |
|
POSITION TITLE |
Defence Office Manager |
|
CLASSIFICATION |
LE5 |
|
POST |
Nuku’alofa, Tonga |
|
REPORTS TO (TITLE) |
Defence Advisor South Pacific |
About The Department of Defence
The primary role of the Department of Defence is to support the Australian Government’s ability to shape Australia’s strategic environment, deter actions against our interests and, if necessary, respond with military capabilities. Australia’s defence policy has been formulated based on the principle that strong international partnerships – particularly in the Indo-Pacific region – are fundamental to national security.
About the position
The Defence Office Manager provides financial, administrative and office management support to the Defence Advisor (DA) and staff as well as the delivery of services to Australian Defence Force (ADF) posted staff in Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati. The position manages and leads the financial and human resource services, whilst providing capability management and support services to the Defence Adviser, Assistant Defence Advisor and senior official visitors to the Defence Office
Key responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:
- Provide complex technical advice and leadership for the operation of the Defence office including the coordination of all business administrative management, development and implementation of work plans in accordance with Defence policies and procedures
- Manage the Defence Office budget including forecasting, procurement, monitoring expenditure, identifying savings, and preparing financial reports and bids ensuring risks are mitigated and compliant with legislative and policy requirements
- Develop, strengthen and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including posts in Samoa and Kiribati, service delivery partners, Department of Foreign Affairs Trade (DFAT) and colleagues in other offices to ensure positive customer outcomes
- Monitor the delivery of services provided by DFAT under the Head Arrangement and engage directly with relevant stakeholders to resolve issues.
- Manage performance and development of Defence Locally engaged staff, including allocating resources, setting priorities, monitoring workflow and managing performance to achieve objectives across all countries of accreditation
- Manage the planning, administration and support necessary for all Defence official functions, events and Senior Official visits
- In consultation with the Assistant Defence Adviser, formulate and implement Defence office policies, procedures, and direction identifying opportunities for improvements and provide leadership on corporate governance issues.
- Provide high-level executive, administrative and organisational support to the Defence Adviser and Assistant Defence Adviser, including stake-holder engagement with partner diplomatic missions, corporate travel and executive scheduling
- Undertake technical and specialised research tasks as directed.
Required Qualifications/Experience
- Experience in financial and/or corporate management, preferably within government, large corporate department, or diplomatic mission
- Experience in managing small, high productivity teams in complex environments
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective stakeholder relationships
- High-level of initiative and ability to work independently within a small team
- High-level of integrity and accountability in decision-making
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in both Tongan and English
- Ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines
- Knowledge of SAP or similar financial management software is highly desirable
- High level proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications