Are you passionate aboutstrengthening safety, integrity and risk management in global programs?
This isa rare opportunity to shape and lead the risk and safeguarding function for theAustralian Government's flagship New Colombo Plan.
You will work at theintersection of government, higher education and international engagement by designingsystems that protect and empower students across the Indo-Pacific.
If you're astrategic thinker who thrives in complex environments and wants to make ameaningful, lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Location – Adelaide, Australia preferred
Duration –till 30 June ****
Applicationsclose on Monday 7 September **** at 11:59pm AEST
About Palladium
Palladium is aglobal development and consulting firm, part of the GISI Consulting Group,working alongside some of the world's leading project management andengineering organisations.
We partner with governments, businesses, investorsand communities to design and deliver complex programs that create lastingimpact.
With a presence across more than 90 countries, Palladium offers theopportunity to work on meaningful challenges, alongside talented colleagues, inenvironments where your work can truly make a difference.
About The Project
The NewColombo Plan(NCP)playsakey role in supporting theAustralian Government'sobjectivesin building Asia capability.
Itaims to lift the Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy in Australia bysupporting Australian undergraduates to undertake study,languagelearningand internships in theIndo-Pacific.Thegoal of NCP isNCP alumni contribute theirskills,knowledgeand networks to Australia's enduring engagement inthe Indo-Pacific region.This is achievedthroughthreecomplementarygrants programs:theScholarship Program, Mobility Program andSemester Program.
The NCP PSU isadministered by Palladium on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs andTrade (DFAT) under the Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM).
TheAAGSM provides operational and technical support services to DFAT'sInternational Education and Scholarships Branch, with two End of InvestmentOutcomes (EOIOs):
EOIO 1 - Operational Support: High quality and efficient administrative and standard business support services provided to DFAT.
EOIO 2: Technical Support: High quality, coherent, consistent and fit for purpose technical support services that also promote gender equality, disability and social inclusion outcomes throughout DFAT's international scholarship programs network.
The NCP Program Support Unit (NCP PSU)



supports DFAT's NewColombo Plan Secretariat (NCS)withhigh-qualitygrantadministration and management consistentwith the principles of theCommonwealth Grant Rules and Principles.Support servicedeliveryincludes end-to-end grants cycle and funds management,aswell as technical support in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL),alumni engagement, communications, events management,businesssectorengagementand risk management.
About the Role
The Manager, Semester and Mobility is responsible for the effective end‐to‐end operational delivery of the NCP Semester and Mobility Programs.
The role ensures both programs are implemented consistently, on time, and to a high standard of quality and compliance, in line with NCP policy priorities.
Operating within the Program Delivery team and reporting to the Deputy Team Leader (Program Delivery), the Manager provides operational leadership to coordinate staff, oversees application and assessment processes, drives continuous improvement (particularly in relation to assessment quality), and ensures continuity of delivery across program rounds.
The role plays a critical part in strengthening delivery resilience, embedding lessons learned from previous rounds, and supporting the evolution of the Semester and Mobility Programs as part of the broader NCP reform agenda.
Primary Responsibilities
Lead the delivery of the NCP Semester and Mobility Programs, ensuring timely, compliant, and high-quality outcomes.
Manage annual application, assessment, selection, contracting, and funding processes.
Oversee assessment quality, funding administration, and program governance.
Maintain program procedures, guidance, and operational documentation.
Stakeholder Engagement
Build strong relationships with universities and provide guidance throughout the grant lifecycle.
Communicate program requirements, timelines, and priorities in partnership with DFAT.
Support communications, events, and promotional activities that showcase program outcomes.
Lead and develop a small team, ensuring effective workload management, quality delivery, and professional growth.
Foster a collaborative, high-performing, and service-oriented team culture.
Risk and Safeguarding
Monitor program risks, compliance, and safeguarding obligations, escalating issues as required.




Support implementation of risk mitigation measures and continuous improvement initiatives.
Respond to travel, safety, and critical incident matters in line with DFAT protocols.
Reporting and Continuous Improvement
Deliver accurate reporting, performance metrics, and program insights to stakeholders.
Drive process, system, and service improvements to enhance program delivery.
Monitor compliance and contribute to program evaluation and future planning.
Other Responsibilities
Uphold DFAT and Palladium policies, including safeguarding, GEDSI, and integrity standards.
Participate in organisational initiatives and professional development activities.
Undertake additional duties and travel as required to support program objectives.
Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience.
Experience managing complex programs and high-volume delivery activities.
Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
Exceptional communication, relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
Experience working with government, higher education or international development programs will be highly regarded.
Closing date: Monday 7 September **** at 11:59pm AEST
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusioninto everything we do.
We welcome applications from all sections of society andactively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and valuable practice.
We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all jobapplicants 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 orIndigenous 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 ****** and we will be in touch to discuss.
Safeguarding
We define Safeguarding as "the preventative 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.
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📌 Manager, Semester & Mobility– New Colombo Plan (Ncp) Program Support Unit (Psu)
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