Senior Coordinator, Operations
Contract Duration: July 2026 – June 2029 (3‐year role)
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Reports to: Deputy Team Leader (Program Enabling)
Purpose of Position
The Senior Coordinator Operations supports the Deputy Team Leader (Program Enabling) and collaborates with the Finance Manager and other corporate support colleagues to ensure NCP PSU operations are fully established and functional, particularly in relation to procurement and contract management, systems and knowledge management, human resources and secretariat support. The Coordinator will also support program leads in implementing these functions and maintain strong relationships with the New Colombo Plan Secretariat (NCS) and stakeholders from the Australian and international university sector.
Key Responsibilities
* Implement and continuously improve operational policies, procedures and systems across NCP, including travel, fraud control, budgeting and workforce planning.
* Maintain and support the application of consistent, fit‐for‐purpose Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across the Program, working with program leads as necessary.
* Implement and manage operational aspects of internal program systems in alignment with strategic direction set by the Deputy Team Leader.
* Lead the day‐to‐day governance and effective use of internal program systems, ensuring consistency, accessibility and compliance with program requirements.
* Coordinate program procurement activities in line with the Annual Work Plan and procurement plan, supporting delivery across all program areas.
* Provide junior staff training on procurement processes and systems to promote best practice and compliance.
* Ensure procurement and contracting activities across the Program align with Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Palladium procedures.
* Coordinate the preparation of operational inputs into program and contractual reporting, ensuring timelines, quality standards and stakeholder requirements are met.
* Assist with quality assurance of operational processes, documentation and data to support accurate reporting and informed decision‐making.
* Maintain and monitor program level risk registers, ensuring risks are regularly reviewed, updated and aligned with program risk frameworks.
* Coordinate regular risk reporting cycles, including tracking mitigation actions and escalating issues to the Deputy Team Leader as required.
* Lead coordination of operational meetings and governance forums, including planning schedules, setting agendas and ensuring timely preparation of materials.
* Oversee day‐to‐day human resource operations, ensuring recruitment, onboarding, performance management and off‐boarding processes are effectively implemented and aligned with policy.
* Coordinate the development and delivery of operational training and guidance in line with Palladium and DFAT requirements.
* Support the rollout of induction and refresher training across the Program to strengthen operational consistency and compliance.
* Perform other duties as reasonably required by the Senior Leadership team or DFAT, consistent with the role and experience.
* Comply with and promote DFAT policies across all aspects of implementation, including Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), safeguarding, fraud and anti‐corruption, Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), child protection, and environmental and social safeguards.
* Undertake local travel as required.
About You
* Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education.
* At least 5 years' relevant professional experience, including work with DFAT or other development agencies, encompassing program financial management, contract and procurement management, stakeholder engagement, risk, fraud and compliance management, and the development and interpretation of project plans.
* Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong financial acumen, with the ability to interpret, analyse and report on financial information.
* Sound problem‐solving and decision‐making capability, with a practical and solutions‐focused approach.
* Demonstrated people management skills, including the ability to mentor, coach, lead, develop and evaluate staff.
* Proven ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
* Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to operate diplomatically and with cultural sensitivity across government, private sector and community stakeholders.
* Experience working in scholarships programs will be highly regarded.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: socio‐economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.
Safeguarding
We define Safeguarding as the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding‐focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.
Closing date: Applications close on Midnight 19th June 2026. This position is open to residents with authority to live and work in Australia. Rates of pay are based on local labour standards.
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