Special Projects Manager - PLMSP

Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) | Palladium

Contract: Fixed-term | Full-time to 29 September 2028

The opportunity

The Special Projects Manager will coordinate PLMSP’s response to urgent and complex DFAT Tasking Notes and special projects, applying international development project management skills to turn emerging requests into clear project plans, budgets, risk approaches and high-quality deliverables. Working with DFAT, senior program leaders, PLMSP teams, Pacific stakeholders and technical specialists, you will manage short-cycle international development projects from definition through delivery and reporting.

About the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a signature initiative for the Australian Government that enables workers from 9 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Timor-Leste to work in priority sectors in Australia. The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program’s (PLMSP) role is to provide the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and governments in 9 PICs and Timor-Leste with support to enable workers to access the PALM scheme in inclusive ways that maximise the benefits for workers and national economies while minimising risks from labour mobility participation. Palladium is contracted to deliver PLMSP on behalf of DFAT.

What success looks like

In your first 90 days, you have built an understanding of PLMSP, DFAT expectations, active projects and key risks. You have established trusted relationships, taken ownership of project tracking and begun managing short-cycle deliverables with sound judgement, clear communication and timely escalation.
Within 6 months, you have built strong relationships across the program and understand stakeholder priorities, sensitivities and preferred engagement approaches. You are independently coordinating Tasking Notes and special projects, producing or overseeing high-quality briefings and reports, and providing clear updates to DFAT and PLMSP leaders.
By the end of your first 12 months, you have improved the consistency, visibility and quality of special project delivery and helped PLMSP respond more efficiently to emerging priorities through stronger processes, evidence and practical use of data, AI or technology.

What you will do

Lead responses to DFAT Tasking Notes and other short-notice requests, clarifying scope, deliverables, sequencing, timelines, budgets, risks and responsibilities.

Manage international development special projects from inception through implementation, monitoring and completion, with clear plans, controls and reporting.

Produce and coordinate concise, evidence-based briefings, research, senior updates, monitoring products, reports and talking points for senior government officials.

Bring together inputs from PLMSP teams, DFAT, Pacific stakeholders, community representatives and technical specialists, using culturally appropriate engagement to maintain momentum.

Identify delivery, quality, stakeholder and compliance risks early, manage dependencies, exercise discretion with sensitive information, recommend proportionate action and elevate material issues.

Lead practical improvements to special project delivery through better systems, data, AI, technology and ways of working.

Please refer to the Terms of Reference on the Palladium Career site.

The work in practice

This role will suit an experienced international development project manager who is comfortable working at pace, coordinating short and varied projects across countries and time zones, travelling locally and internationally as required, and producing clear written outputs when information is incomplete.
The role may be challenging because priorities can change quickly and requests may begin without a settled scope, timeframe or complete information. You will need to clarify assumptions, negotiate realistic expectations, maintain strong relationships and protect quality and governance under pressure.
Support available will include regular direction and prioritisation support from the Special Projects Senior Manager, including regular one-to-one check-ins; access to PLMSP leads, technical specialists and established templates and guidance; and a clear forum to test judgement and elevate sensitive or high-risk matters.

What you will bring

Please apply if you can show evidence of:

At least five years’ relevant experience in international development project management, program coordination or a related role, including hands‑on responsibility for planning and delivering complex work.

Demonstrated ability to develop project plans and budgets, track delivery, identify risks and manage dependencies across multiple stakeholders, working independently to prioritise and follow through on competing priorities.

Excellent written communication, with evidence of preparing concise briefings, reports and senior updates that support clear decisions.

Sound judgement, integrity and the ability to bring structure and calm to urgent, ambiguous or sensitive work.

Culturally appropriate stakeholder engagement, with the ability to work respectfully and effectively across different cultures, organisations and perspectives.

The following would be helpful, but they are not essential:

Understanding of Australian Government or DFAT briefing, reporting and decision‑making processes.

Experience working on donor‑funded programs in the Pacific or Timor‑Leste, including government‑facing, community or regional stakeholder engagement.

We will support the right candidate to build knowledge of:

PLMSP systems, governance and ways of working.

Palladium and DFAT processes, approval pathways and reporting preferences relevant to the role.

Detailed labour mobility and PALM scheme operating context, country‑specific stakeholder arrangements and role‑specific tools.

How we work here

At Palladium, you'll be part of a collaborative and inclusive workplace where your contribution matters. We offer opportunities for professional growth through diverse projects, mentoring and development pathways, alongside flexible ways of working that support wellbeing and work‑life integration. Employees benefit from a values‑driven culture that promotes diversity, inclusion, integrity and recognition, while working alongside talented colleagues committed to creating meaningful impact. On PLMSP, this means living our PROUD values of Positivity, Respect, Openness, Unwavering Integrity and Diversity and Inclusion, and being part of a program with real regional impact across Australia, the Pacific and Timor‑Leste.

Closing date: Sunday 04 October at 11:59 PM AEST

***************************************************************

About Palladium

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact. We work with governments, communities and the private sector to address complex challenges and create enduring social and economic value.
Palladium is contracted by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to deliver the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP), supporting Pacific Island Countries and Timor‑Leste to participate in the PALM scheme in inclusive, safe and sustainable ways.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

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.

Safeguarding

We define Safeguarding as all the actions taken by Palladium to protect our people, communities where we work and our clients from harm, including Sexual Exploitation, Abuse or Sexual Harassment; Child Abuse in any form; Trafficking for sexual exploitation of adults or children and any form of Trafficking of children. We have zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse as well as sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and zero‑tolerance for inaction to prevent, protect against, respond to and report 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. Our Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding and Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Guidelines have additional details.

Please note: While this role does not involve direct work with children, the successful candidate will still be required to complete a police check and relevant due diligence checks as part of Palladium’s commitment to being a child‑safe organisation.

#J-18808-Ljbffr