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8609 DT Global Vacancies 15 July - 3 August 2025

DT Global - Tonga Australia Support Platform

VACANCIES

• Procurement Reform Adviser

• Research and Communications Coordinator

Program Background
The Tonga Australia Support Platform (TASP) is a mechanism which will support the work of the Australian Government in meeting development objectives in Tonga. It is a multi-sector development facility that uses multiple modalities including development program management, technical advisory support, grants management, and subcontracting. TASP supports Australian Government policy development and dialogue to deliver the desired outcomes.

About DT Global Asia Pacific
At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

For more information, please seewww.dt-global.com

1. PROCUREMENT REFORM ADVISER (TAGS)

Location
Nuku'alofa, Tonga

The Role
The Government of Tonga is implementing a multi-year Procurement Reform Roadmap (2025/26–2028/29), informed by the 2024 MAPS Assessment and aligned with the broader Public Financial Management Reform Roadmap (PFMRR) 2024–2029. The reform aims to strengthen procurement governance through legislative updates, institutional restructuring, capacity building, digitalisation, and the integration of sustainability principles.

To support this, the Ministry of Finance—through the Tonga-Australia Governance Program Support (TAGS) with technical assistance from TASP and DFAT—is engaging a Procurement Reform Adviser. The Adviser will provide senior-level strategic and technical advice across legal, institutional, and operational areas. Working closely with the Central Procurement Unit (CPU) and reporting to the PFM Lead Adviser, the Adviser will play a key role in operationalising the roadmap and ensuring alignment with PFMRR and TAGS objectives.

The Procurement Reform Adviser will be responsible for the following tasks:

Strategic and Legal Framework Reform

  • Support the harmonisation of the Public Finance Management Act, Public Procurement Regulations (2015), and Treasury Instructions to ensure legal coherence and alignment.
  • Draft proposed amendments to procurement thresholds and emergency procurement provisions, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and relevant stakeholders.

Tools, Manuals, and Institutional Strengthening

  • Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), procurement manuals, and standardised templates for use across MDAs.
  • Support the repositioning of the Central Procurement Unit (CPU) as a centre of excellence, with a focus on high-value procurement oversight and technical support to MDAs.
  • Institutionalise good procurement practices by revising the Contracting Entity Procurement Manual, embedding gender equity and social inclusion principles throughout.

Integration with PFM Systems and Budgeting

  • Facilitate the integration of procurement planning processes with national budget cycles to ensure coherence between planned procurement and budget allocations.
  • Promote alignment with GFS-consistent classifications and ongoing chart of accounts reforms under the Public Financial Management Reform Roadmap (PFMRR).

Digital and Performance-Based Procurement

  • Lead readiness assessments for e-Government Procurement (e-GP) and coordinate pilot implementation within selected MDAs.
  • Develop procurement performance tracking and monitoring tools (e.g., Excel-based or cloud platforms) to enhance transparency and accountability.
  • Promote open, transparent, and competitive procurement practices, aiming to achieve at least 80% of procurement through competitive bidding processes. In particular the Adviser will be required to monitor the procurements which have been funded by the Government of Australia, ensuring that procurement processes progress in a timely manner and are compliant with GoT practices.

Capacity Development and Professionalisation

  • Conduct a skills gap assessment across MDAs and design a targeted procurement capacity-building program.
  • Support the development of a structured procurement career pathway, including defined job roles, certification requirements, and training modules.
  • Provide mentoring and on-the-job technical support to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure long-term sustainability of reforms.

Policy Development and Sustainability

  • Lead the development of a Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) policy that aligns with national development priorities and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.
  • Integrate gender-responsive and inclusive procurement practices into tendering, bid evaluation, and contract award procedures.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

  • Participate in inter-agency meetings, development partner forums, steering committees, and TAGS working groups to ensure coordination and alignment of procurement reforms with broader PFM initiatives.
  • Consult regularly with MDAs, Ministry of Finance divisions, DFAT, civil society, and other stakeholders to support inclusive and contextually appropriate reform planning.
  • Promote a collaborative and consultative approach to all reform activities, encouraging whole-of-government ownership and consensus-building.
  • Take a change management approach to Procurement Reform, work with both people and processes to achieve results.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

  • Engage regularly with the TASP MEL Adviser to ensure procurement reform activities align with program indicators, learning objectives, and reporting frameworks.
  • Contribute to adaptive management processes by integrating MEL insights into reform design and implementation, and supporting the documentation of results, case studies, and lessons learned.

Reporting and Advisory Support

  • Document key reform processes, decisions, and outcomes to support institutional memory and inform program reporting.
  • Respond to ad hoc requests for technical advice, briefings, or analysis from the Ministry of Finance, DFAT, or the TAGS team regarding procurement progress, risks, and emerging issues.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position:https://rb.gy/2amyeg

About You
Essential Experience and Knowledge

  • Advanced degree in Public Procurement, Law, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in public procurement reform, with a preference for experience in developing country contexts.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with MAPS-based frameworks, e-Government Procurement systems, and sustainable procurement strategies.
  • Prior experience supporting legal reforms, institutional strengthening, and public sector procurement operations.
  • Strong legal, technical, and analytical skills in public procurement.
  • Proven ability to develop training programs and reform toolkits.
  • Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and report-writing abilities.
  • Experience in managing a Change Management project

Desirable

  • Experience and knowledge of the Tongan governance systems and context.
  • Experience working in the Pacific Islands or other small island developing states (SIDS)

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2. RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR (TAGS)

Location
Nuku’alofa, Tonga

The Role
The primary objective of the Research and Communications Coordinator is to support the work of the Kafa-Taha, Tonga Australia Governance Support (TAGS) program through structured research, analysis, and engagement with stakeholders as appropriate. This role focuses on researching, collating information and data on prioritised issues to provide evidence to inform DFAT and TASP’s decision-making and policy processes. The Research and Communications Coordinator will work within the Governance work streams and across TASP pillars to ensure informed, cohesive development approaches.

The Research and Communications Coordinator will conduct background policy research and analysis to support existing projects as well as proposals for new bodies of work; synthesize research findings to identify and recommend best practices and communicate the results creatively and with clarity to stakeholders.

The Research and Communications Coordinator supports the work of the TAGS program and will work collaboratively with Governance workstream Leads and Governance Project coordinator (and with other pillars) to –

Research Commissioning and Analysis

  • Develop and manage a structured research plan and budget to support the achievement of TAGS program outcomes.
  • Identify priority governance and development issues that would benefit from targeted, independent research and analysis.
  • Engage with advisers, DFAT, government counterparts, and other stakeholders to validate research priorities and promote collaboration.
  • Where appropriate, identify and facilitate partnerships with local and regional institutions to co-design and deliver research activities.

Applied Research & Evidence Generation

  • Conduct applied research using a range of methods including desktop literature reviews, interviews with key participants.
  • Design and facilitate perception and other surveys.
  • Ensure all data collection is inclusive, reliable, and up to date.
  • Analyse, organise, and present findings in clear, meaningful formats suitable for diverse audiences, including government and civil society stakeholders.
  • Produce high-quality research reports and briefs that inform policy and programmatic decision-making across TAGS.

Policy Dialogue & Public Discourse

  • Support and promote locally led public conversations, debates, and discussions on governance and reform topics.
  • Facilitate public engagement through mechanisms such as forums, workshops, roundtable discussions, lecture series, and discussion papers.
  • Ensure research outputs are accessible and support evidence-based dialogue and advocacy efforts.

Strategic Communications & Engagement

  • Develop and implement a communications and engagement strategy for TAGS, aligned with overall program goals.
  • Create communications products across TAGS workstreams, including summaries of research findings, infographics, newsletters, and social media content.
  • Establish and maintain effective communication channels across the Governance workstreams and with TAGS stakeholders, including the TASP team.

Training & Capacity Building

  • Collaborate with Team Leads, Advisers, and research partners to identify and implement opportunities for building local research and analytical capacity.
  • Provide mentoring and knowledge-sharing support to strengthen inclusive research practices, aligned with GEDSI principles.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (MEL)

  • Work in close coordination with the M&E Officer and TASP MEL Adviser to integrate robust MEL approaches across research and communications activities.
  • Collect, analyse, and report on data related to research, communications, and engagement outputs, ensuring alignment with TAGS outcomes and indicators.
  • Ensure gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) considerations are integrated in all MEL processes and reporting.
  • Contribute to TASP and donor reporting requirements, including the preparation of monthly activity trackers, six-month progress reports, and annual reviews.

Coordination, Representation & Compliance

  • Participate actively in team meetings, stakeholder consultations, and relevant coordination forums to provide updates, technical input, and ensure alignment with broader

TAGS objectives.

  • Represent TAGS in relevant government meetings, partner consultations, technical working groups, and donor coordination platforms, where appropriate.
  • Work collaboratively with the GEDSI Adviser and TASP Programs team to ensure inclusive practices are embedded across all research and communications efforts.
  • Perform other duties as reasonably required to support the effective delivery of TAGS objectives.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position:https://tinyurl.com/2s478zs8

About You
Essential Experience, Capacities and Knowledge

  1. Tertiary qualification in economics, public policy, international development, or a related field.
  2. At least 10 years’ relevant experience in economics, policy development, or international development.
  3. Demonstrated experience in research, analysis, and evidence-based policy guidance.
  4. Excellent analytical, report writing, and data presentation skills.
  5. Proven ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including senior officials and development partners.
  6. Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, including the ability to present complex ideas clearly.
  7. Awareness of cross-cutting issues such as GEDSI and climate change in development programming.

Desirable

  1. Experience working on DFAT-funded programs or similar international development initiatives.
  2. Familiarity with Tongan governance systems and institutional structures and an understanding of Tonga’s political, economic and policy context.
  3. Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and apply sound judgment.

Why join TASP?

TASP is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. TASP is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.

HOW TO APPLY
Click the 'Apply Now' button or email your application with the reference “Procurement Reform Adviser” or “Research and Communications Coordinator”  to recruitment [at] tasplatform [dot] net.

Please submit
1) Your CV
2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 3rdAugust 2025 / 23h59 / UTC +13 (Tonga Standard Time)

Should this role be of interest; we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of ourinternational development programs.Weare committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. Thisprogram is funded by the Australian Government andManaged by DT Global.

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Matangi Tonga Online ref. #8609 DT Global 15 July - 3 Aug 2025