VACANCY
Establishment Project Lead – Public Service Training Centre
Location
Nuku’alofa / Tonga
Program Background
KAFA-TAHA: Tonga-Australia Governance Support program (TAGS) consolidates and builds on fifteen years of Government of Australia’s (GoA) investment in supporting the Government of Tonga (GoT) to improve fiscal management and promote inclusive economic growth. The program responds to key features of the current context, political economy and policy priorities of both Tonga and Australia. It is the central investment for delivery of Objective 2 of the Tonga-Australia Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029: Strengthening fiscal stability, accountable governance, and economic performance.
The TAGS Program is a 5-year program, highly targeted in its scope and ambition, seeking to leverage Australia’s bilateral budget support, including engagement with other development partners in policy-driven direct financing, to progress central government ambitions for key reforms that will bring benefits to the entire machinery of government.
The overall goal of the program is a peaceful, stable and prosperous Tonga. This aligns to the overarching goal of the Tonga-Australia Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029 and Australia’s International Development Policy. One of its four End of Investment Outcomes (EOIOs) is that Key agencies strengthen public service management for improved accountability and performance.
About DT Global
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 see www.dt-global.com
The Role
The primary objective of the Establishment Project Lead for the PSC Training Centre is to support the role of Tonga’s Public Service Commission to improve civil service accountability and performance. Specifically, the Establishment Project Lead will support the establishment of the PSC’s new civil service training centre. The Establishment Lead will expedite the formation and launch of the new training centre by supporting the development of the centre’s governance, legal and institutional arrangements, and also providing day-to-day operational support and advice on strategic planning, staffing, partnership development, and training program development and implementation.
The Establishment Project Lead will work collaboratively with the TAGS leadership, the PSC CEO, the PSC DCEO for Workforce Development, other TAGS advisers and other stakeholders to implement the following:
- Centre Establishment & Governance
- Scope legal and regulatory requirements for Centre’s establishment
- Identify roles and responsibilities including governance arrangements
- Develop appropriate policies, standards and procedures including Health and Safety requirements
- Centre Planning & Design
- Partner with PSC to identify skills gaps and training needs in the public service
- Conduct an environmental scanning of local providers and training partners in Tonga and beyond
- Develop the Centre’s multiyear Strategic Plan which includes its goals, objectives and outputs
- Develop an organizational structure and staffing plan that aligns with the strategic plan objectives
- Identify immediate and intermediate priorities, programs to be offered, staffing requirements, including resourcing
- Budget & Resources Mobilisation
- Identify potential partners for delivery and/or co-funding
- Support PSC leadership to develop a multiyear budget and a financing plan for the Centre
- Support Development of the Centre Facilities
- Provide advice and support to PSC where needed in terms of training rooms, technology (hardware/software), furniture, accessibility
- Develop & Source Training Programs
- Work with PSC, TASP Governance teams, and other partners to facilitate curriculum development and course structure
- Ensure training materials, manuals, digital content and assessment are in place
- Support PSC efforts to bolster regional and bilateral partnerships, including organizational twinning or shared course arrangements
- Consider course accreditation, certification or recognition arrangements where needed
- Establish a feedback system (e.g. through regular evaluation from trainees and trainers)
- Centre Administration & Handover
- Oversee initial overall management of the Centre, including inaugural training offerings
- Support PSC on the initial recruitment of Centre staff
- Provide mentorship and advisory support to long-term Centre staff
- Develop a handover package to ensure sustainable PSC leadership and oversight of the Centre
- Strategic Communications & Engagement
- Design and implement effective communication across PSC, government Ministries governance/ other TASP Pillars, and other stakeholders
- Ensure that the Centre is visible with a website and social media presence including online and clear guidelines and policies
- Monitoring & Evaluation
- Provide oversight on the operations of Centre and its programs through a Monitoring and Evaluation plan
- Monitor the establishment process
- Report as required to the PSC and TASP leadership
General
- Work closely with TAGS leadership, PSC leadership, and relevant TAGS advisers to ensure that the principles of gender equality and social inclusion are reflected appropriately in all data collection, analysis, planning and reporting
- Comply with DT Global and Australian Government policies on gender, child protection, disability, workplace health and safety, environment, anti- bribery and anti-fraud
- Prepare reports for TASP as required, including the preparation of monthly activity trackers and six- month reports, and participate in TASP activities, such as briefings and planning sessions, adviser meetings and program reviews from time to time
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activities
Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: https://tinyurl.com/4vz3mp3r
About You
Essential Experience, Capacities and Knowledge
- Tertiary qualification in project management, administration/management of public sector training; public sector administration, or related area
- Minimum ten years’ experience working in public sector training, management of training programs, or related discipline
- Extensive experience in administration of training programs, course development and design
- Demonstrated understanding of effective HRD approaches for the public sector and skills needs of the public sector in small island states like Tonga
- Understanding of the importance of cross-cutting development issues, and inclusive approaches, particularly GEDSI and climate change
- Excellent Strategic and business planning skills
- Excellent interpersonal and effective communications skills with diverse stakeholders
- Strong analytical and synthesis skills
- Ability to provide and present lucid, understandable messages and summaries orally and in writing
- Confidence in working with others and in public presentations
- · Excellent communication skills in written and oral English
Desirable
- Experience with DFAT-funded programs and familiarity with Tonga’s governance systems
- Capacity-building experience, resourcefulness, and a proactive approach to collaborative and locally led development
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 to submit your application.
For any enquiries, please contact us at recruitment [at] tasplatform [dot] net
Please submit
1) Response against each of the essential and desirable selection criteria (maximum three pages).
2) Curriculum vitae/resume.
All applications will be handled in strict confidence. Only those shortlisted for further consideration will be contacted, due to the anticipated high volume of applications.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 28th September 2025 / 23h59 / UTC +13 (Tonga Standard Time)
Should this role be of interest; we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
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