Job vacancies

The Australian High Commission (AHC) is looking for a dynamic, professional, hardworking, and highly motivated individual to join our team in the role of Senior Program Manager with our political section. This is an opportunity to join a strong team environment with exciting opportunities working with Vanuatu’s largest donor partner.

This recruitment process will also be used to create a merit list that may be drawn on to fill future vacancies with similar job functions across various teams at the High Commission.

About the Australian High Commission in Port Vila

The Australian High Commission in Vanuatu has a high-performance culture which is underpinned by a resilient, motivated, and loyal workforce. Our people are at the heart of everything we do and bring a range of qualifications and experiences to the table. We support each other and share a unity of purpose and commitment to serving the Vanuatu-Australia relationship.

We promote Australia’s interests, facilitate international trade and investment, deliver development assistance, respond to crisis and provide services to Australian citizens. Details of our work, as well as our purpose, outcomes and priority functions can be found on our website. www.vanuatu.embassy.gov.au

Information about the Political Section and the position

Organisation	Australian High Commission, Vanuatu.
Position title	Senior Program Manager (Political)
Classification	LE6
Section	Political Section
Reports to (title)	First Secretary (Political)

 

Under limited direction, the Senior Policy Officer will lead staff within the political section which is primarily responsible for political monitoring, reporting and analysis, progressing Australia’s foreign affairs priorities, and for the delivery of the Vanuatu-Australia Community Grants Program (VACGP). This role supports incoming and outgoing VIP visits, and other duties as required, including as directed by the HighCommissioner, including the delivery of cultural diplomacy, engagement with the foreign affairs, maritime and internal affairs portfolios, and cyber security priorities, among otherareas. In the event of a disaster, you will be required to be part of the disaster response team.

The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to

Your primary duties include overseeing and directing the LES team’s delivery of:

Domestic political

• Maintaining awareness of the pipeline of upcoming legislation for debate by Parliament, monitoring parliamentary sessions, and developing high quality and timely political reporting and analysis, including briefs and cables.

• Maintaining the biographies of key VIPs including Members of Parliament

• Supporting delivery of High Commission events - particularly when guests include VIPs - and working with the development teams to ensure awareness of political issues. 

• Responsibility for supporting A-based (including HOM and DHOM) engagements with VIPs (including Government officials and Members of Parliament), from arranging meetings, through to relevant briefing and at times attendance at meetings and events.

• During national elections, coordinate and direct the team to deliver Australian electoral support, undertake electoral observation and develop relevant reporting.

• Provide crisis support in the event of a disaster.

• Other duties as directed.

Vanuatu-Australia Community Grants Program

• Have ongoing responsibility for program design, delivery and external representation of the Vanuatu-Australia Community Grants Program.

• Responsibility for timely and strategic external communications with grantees, VIPs and the broader public, as well as organise and at times attend events and inter-island travel.

Sports diplomacy

• Working with colleagues to deliver Sports Diplomacy initiatives, primarily through TeamUp and PacificAus Sports.

Qualifications/Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or a minimum of five years’ experience in public policy, development or related sectors.

• A strong understanding of Vanuatu politics and familiarity with the Vanuatu public service.

• An operational knowledge of development policy and program management experience.

• Highly developed program management skills, with supportive skills in financial management, contract management, and monitoring and evaluation.

• Knowledge of Vanuatu and Government of Vanuatu systems and processes.

• High-level communication skills in written and spoken English and Bislama are essential.

• The officer must not be an office bearer for any Vanuatu political party.

• High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• Applicant must have a current legal right to work in Vanuatu.

How to apply

All applications should be submitted to Link Personnel Services by Monday 16 March 2026.