Country Liaison Officer, PNG - Pacific Labour Facility

** Palladium (and the Pacific Labour Facility) is advertising the Country Liaison Officer, PNG role (2 positions) on behalf of the Government of PNG. The successful candidates will be Government of PNG employees funded by DFAT. **

Company Overview:

About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

Project Overview:

The Pacific Labour Facility (PLF) facilitates seasonal and longer-term work opportunities for Pacific workers in Australia. It connects Australian employers with Pacific workers under the newly introduced Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme which combines the existing Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) and Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP).

Role:

Country Liaison Officers (CLO) are representatives of countries participating in the PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) Scheme. CLOs are the key focal point between PALM workers, approved employers (AEs), and the government of their sending countries. Their role is to provide on the ground support to workers and employers and to facilitate greater participation in labour mobility by their respective governments. The roles and responsibilities of CLOs may differ based on the sending countries priorities, worker numbers and ongoing issues.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direction of their sending country ministry or embassy, Country Liaison Officers duties include:

In collaboration with AEs and the Pacific Labour Facility (PLF), provide pastoral care support to workers from their respective countries participating in PALM scheme. This can include:
- Basic language translations and cultural support for AEs/ workers.
- Supporting on-arrival worker briefings as needed by AEs.
- Facilitating AE connections with local diaspora, churches and community groups where appropriate.
- Support to understand how to connect to basic services, such as medical allied and emergency services providers.
- Support to understand pay, deductions and living expenses.
- Support to understand workplace requirements and expectations, including from a cultural perspective.
- Partner in cultural competency activities as directed by the PLF.
- Where appropriate, assist to coordinate responses to critical incidents.

In alignment with the PALM Scheme’s escalation and response procedures, liaise with AEs on key issues raised by workers from their sending country, to address ongoing concerns and avoid future risks to participation. These issues can include:
- Accommodation.
- Transport to place of work.
- Medical issues and health insurance requirements.
- Culturally appropriate methods of communicating information.

In collaboration with the PLF, liaise with AEs to collect information and feedback on any issues or concerns employers have regarding the performance of their workforce, and how to constructively address this.
Be available to workers from their sending country to address concerns or questions relating to their participation in the scheme (including employment rights, immigration laws and criminal offences) aligned to approved escalation procedures.
Maintain transparent and positive relationships with AEs to minimise risk to all participants, engaging with clear strategic objectives to each visit or engagement.
Report, investigate and monitor any issues identified as an ongoing concern by the government of the sending country, ensuring detailed documentation is kept.
Provide regular detailed, and ad hoc situational and incident, reports to sending country government and relevant stakeholders as required.
Maintain a strong connection and good relationship with in-country Labour Sending Units (LSUs)/ Ministry stakeholders and in-Australia Diplomatic missions.
Collect data relating to worker numbers, critical/non-critical incidents, frequently asked questions from workers and AEs, ongoing concerns, and positive feedback. Facilitate and participate in labour mobility research as required.
Facilitate visits between government representatives and relevant stakeholders, including AEs, PLF and DFAT.
Liaise with PLF to coordinate visits, develop detailed travel plans in conjunction with employers to guide pastoral care/ welfare visits with transparency, value for money and efficiency in mind.
Participate in CLO forums, induction and training activities, welfare meetings and activities as required.
Where required facilitate the arrival and departure of workers upon the commencement of contracts and end of employment.
Undertake and deliver the outcomes and objectives of the role in accordance with the expected Core Capabilities, Ways of Working and Values of ONE PLF

Remuneration, Allowances and Support Costs:
Palladium (and the Pacific Labour Facility) is advertising the Country Liaison Officer, PNG role (2 positions) on behalf of the Government of PNG (GoPNG). The successful candidates will be GoPNG employees funded by DFAT. Candidates will be offered a salary package commensurate with their skills and experience. Travel allowances and other support costs will be discussed with the successful candidates.

These positions are located in Australia. There will be a North Queensland based position (preferably Cairns or Townsville) and a Southeast Australia based position (Victoria, NSW or South East Queensland). Candidates from other areas of Australia who are willing to relocate to one of the preferred regions would need to do so at their own expense.
Application Requirements:
Candidates must be PNG Nationals with current unrestricted Working Rights and who are already based in Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Applications close on 20 February 2023.
Successful candidates will be offered an initial contract to 30 June 2024 with possibility of further extension.