Cocoa Partnership Coordinator, Agriculture Growth & Livelihoods | APEP

• Commencement: January 2027
• Long term role, up to February 2028 (w/potential for extension)
• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Open to Papua New Guinea citizens only 

*Abt is committed to advancing women’s leadership in PNG’s economic development and are building an environment where women can lead progress and shape economic outcomes. Abt promotes an inclusive, respectful and safe working environment for women and encourages PNG women and men to apply.

This position includes health insurance and supportive workplace for parents and carers, including relevant leave and other benefits including shuttle services to and from work.

About the Program

The Australia–Papua New Guinea Economic Partnership (APEP) is a flagship partnership supporting Papua New Guinea’s economic development priorities. Delivered by the Government of Australia in close collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea, APEP focuses on strengthening economic systems, institutions, and opportunities that support sustainable and inclusive growth through to 2028.

Working alongside government, research institutions, and development partners, APEP delivers coordinated and high‑impact outcomes across four key engagement areas:

• Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
• Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
• Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
• Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue

Gender equality, disability social inclusion (GEDSI), women’s economic empowerment, and climate are central to APEP and integrated across all engagement areas and activities.

About the Opportunity

The Cocoa Partnership Coordinator will coordinate and oversee field implementation of APEP’s Central Province Cocoa Partnership activity. The project works through agribusinesses, Queen Emma Chocolate, the Cocoa Board, district administrations, cooperatives and women’s groups to strengthen cocoa production, extension, aggregation, post-harvest quality and commercial opportunities.

The Coordinator will manage day-to-day partner engagement, monitor implementation of agreed work plans, validate achievement of contracted milestones with APEP partners, and maintain reliable progress and KPI information. The role combines practical project management with field oversight, extension monitoring, reporting and adaptive learning.

The Coordinator must be able to plan and undertake visits independently, drive a project vehicle and work effectively with businesses, public institutions and farming communities. Approximately 50–60% of working time will be spent in the field. Travel will follow APEP approvals and safety procedures, with specialist technical and operational support available as required.

Key responsibilities 

1. Partnership coordination and implementation. Support preparation and delivery of agreed partnership plans, work plans, milestones, budgets and counterpart contributions. Maintain regular contact with partners, coordinate activities and resolve or escalate delays and implementation constraints.

2. Field oversight, extension monitoring and readiness checks. Spend approximately 50–60% of working time in the field, visiting each active partner at least quarterly and more often where required. Monitor implementation of extension services, farmer training, nursery and planting activities, post-harvest improvements and delivery of inputs and equipment. Check site and water conditions, farmer preparation, documented land access and consent, and asset operation and maintenance arrangements. Coordinate follow-up technical support with the Cacao Adviser, Cocoa Board specialists, Queen Emma agronomists and partner field teams.

3. Field verification of project milestones. Validate achievement of contracted milestones against agreed requirements and evidence, including quantities, quality, location and beneficiary receipt where applicable. Cross-check partner reports against actual field delivery, document observations and discrepancies, and recommend corrective action or further verification.

4. Monitoring, records and reporting. Maintain consolidated partner work plans, field schedules, a project progress and milestone tracker, risk records and an Excel-based KPI dashboard. Participate in monthly partner progress discussions, help APEP obtain the required information, and cross-check or challenge inconsistencies between reported progress and field observations. Document quarterly field verification findings and collect and consolidate partner information for six-monthly project reporting. Maintain accurate beneficiary records, avoid duplicate counts, and support baseline and endline monitoring with MERLA and GEDSI staff, using agreed consent and data-protection arrangements.

5. Inclusion and safeguarding. Work with APEP’s GEDSI and Safeguarding teams to monitor adherence to agreed inclusion and safeguarding provisions during implementation. Help organise and implement Family Farm Teams training and follow up its application with partners. Identify and escalate barriers to participation, unintended effects and safeguarding concerns through approved reporting and referral channels.

6. Adaptive management and learning. Identify underperformance, emerging opportunities and unintended effects. Recommend changes to activities, partner support or allocations for approval. Support partner learning and scoping of future shared industry services. Provide field evidence and other inputs to APEP-led evaluation, activity completion reporting and future planning.

Key Deliverables

Project progress tracker and KPI dashboard: An up-to-date consolidated record of implementation progress across partnership contracts, milestones, KPI results, delivery issues and follow-up actions.

Field monitoring and verification documentation: Quarterly field verification reports and milestone verification records, supported by clear observations and evidence, with discrepancies and agreed corrective actions documented.

Monthly partner progress and KPI updates: Participation in partner progress discussions and support to APEP in collecting, checking and clarifying partner information against field delivery.

Six-monthly project progress reporting: Timely collection, verification and consolidation of partner data and field findings to support preparation of APEP’s six-monthly project progress reports.

Learning and completion support: Field evidence, partner information and lessons to support APEP-led learning, activity completion reporting and continuation or handover planning.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Agricultural Growth & Livelihoods team; Cacao Adviser; MERLA, GEDSI and Safeguarding teams; contracts, finance, procurement and operations staff.

External: APEP’s private sector partners including Paradise Foods Limited / Queen Emma Chocolate; PNG Cocoa Board; provincial and district administrations; cooperatives, women’s groups, farmers and other approved project partners.

About You 

For applications to be considered, a response to the Key Selection Criteria below must be provided. 

• A degree in agriculture, agronomy, agricultural extension, rural development, project management or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant qualifications and substantial practical experience.

• At least five years of relevant experience in agricultural or rural development projects, including practical project coordination or management and field implementation, extension or monitoring.

• Demonstrated ability to manage partner work plans, milestones, implementation risks and follow-up actions across multiple organisations.

• Experience checking field delivery, procurement or physical outputs against agreed requirements, documenting evidence and reporting discrepancies.

• Willingness and ability to spend approximately 50–60% of working time in the field, travel extensively across Central Province, stay overnight in remote areas and organise visits independently within approved safety arrangements.

• A current valid PNG (Class 1 or 2) driver’s licence and demonstrated ability to drive independently; practical experience driving on rural roads and using four-wheel-drive vehicles.

• Strong relationship-building and facilitation skills with farming communities, businesses, government agencies and cooperatives.

• Clear written and spoken English; ability to communicate effectively with local communities, including in Tok Pisin.

• Strong computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel, including the ability to draft clear reports and maintain Excel-based progress trackers and KPI dashboards. Ability to use SharePoint for organised document storage, sharing and version control.

• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, disability and social inclusion, child protection and safeguarding, with sound judgement, integrity and respect for confidentiality.

Desirable 

• Cocoa-sector agronomy or extension experience, including nurseries, crop establishment, pest and disease management, fermentation, drying and quality improvement.

• Familiarity with Central Province, its travel conditions and cocoa stakeholders, and experience working with private-sector-led value chains.

• Experience with DFAT-funded or similar development programmes, partner contracts and milestone-based implementation monitoring.

• Experience with Family Farm Teams, women’s economic empowerment, climate-resilient agriculture or household livelihood monitoring.

“We value capability and potential, and welcome applicants who believe they can succeed in this role”

How to Apply

• Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document. 
• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted. 
• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

We welcome and thank all applications; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date: Sunday, 22 November 2026 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child 

Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities