About Palladium
Palladium is a global development and consulting firm, part of the GISI Consulting Group, working alongside some of the world's leading project management and engineering organisations. We partner with governments, businesses, investors and communities to design and deliver complex programs that create lasting impact. With a presence across more than 90 countries, Palladium offers the opportunity to work on meaningful challenges, alongside talented colleagues, in environments where your work can truly make a difference.
About Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM) Program Support Unit (PSU)
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) plays a key role in supporting the Australian Government's objectives in building Asia capability. It aims to lift the Indo‐Pacific capability and Asia literacy in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to undertake study, language learning and internships in the Indo‐Pacific. NCP alumni contribute their Indo‐Pacific capability and Asia literacy to Australia's enduring engagement in the Indo‐Pacific region. This is achieved through three complementary grants programs: the Scholarship Program, Mobility Program and Semester Program.
Education
The NCP is administered by Palladium on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) via the Program Support Unit (PSU) under the Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM). The AAGSM provides operational and technical support services to DFAT's International Education and Scholarships Branch, with two End of Investment Outcomes (EOIOs):
* EOIO 1 - Operational Support: High quality and efficient administrative and standard business support services provided to DFAT.
* EOIO 2: Technical Support: High quality, coherent, consistent and fit for purpose technical support services that also promote gender equality, disability and social inclusion outcomes throughout DFAT's international scholarship programs network.
The NCP PSU supports DFAT's New Colombo Plan Secretariat (NCS) with high‐quality grant administration and management consistent with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Principles. Support service delivery includes end‐to‐end grants cycle and funds management, as well as technical support in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), alumni engagement, communications, events management, business sector engagement and risk management.
This Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and people‐centred Manager, Scholarships (On Program) to lead the delivery of scholar support and grants administration services for the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program.
In this critical leadership role, you will manage a high performing team responsible for supporting scholars and ensure they are well prepared, self‐reliant, clear on responsibilities and accountable to achieve their scholarship outcomes. You will lead change to effectively operationalise the scaling up of the Scholarship Program into its next phase, embedding a proactive, risk‐aware case management model and continuously improving systems, processes and performance. This is an opportunity to influence program delivery at scale, work closely with DFAT, and contribute to Australia's long‐term engagement in the Indo‐Pacific.
The Manager Scholarships (On Program) Will Be Responsible For
* Program Delivery & Performance
* Lead day‐to‐day scholar support and grants administration in line with NCP Scholarship Program Guidelines and the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Principles.
* Leadership & Team Management
* Lead, coach and develop a team of Senior Coordinators and Scholarship Coordinators.
* Drive change management initiatives, supporting a shift towards a scalable, accountability‐based grants management model.
* DFAT & Stakeholder Engagement
* Engage regularly with the New Colombo Plan Secretariat, contributing to reporting and operational decision‐making.
* Build constructive relationships with universities, DFAT stakeholders and delivery partners, clearly articulating program intent and policy.
* Risk, Safeguarding & Compliance
* Ensure effective risk, incident and safeguarding systems are in place and actively implemented.
* Coordinate with DFAT, universities, insurers and emergency service providers on scholar incidents and emerging risks.
* Reporting, Monitoring & Improvement
* Ensure timely, accurate data capture in DFAT systems and oversee regular quality audits.
For full Terms of Reference (TOR).
About You
* Experience in leading a support service function ideally as part of a government funded program.
* Knowledge and understanding of the Australian university sector, particularly international education and scholarships.
* Experience in managing and administering grants highly desirable.
* Strong people's leadership skills, with a track record of building high‐performing teams.
* Proven ability to implement change and continuously improving systems and processes.
* Excellent organisational and analytical skills, with confidence managing high‐volume, detail‐heavy workloads.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including providing concise, evidence‐based advice.
* Relevant tertiary qualifications (or equivalent experience) in management, business, public policy or related field.
How To Apply
Click on the Apply Now button below and please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.
Closing date
Closing date: Midnight, 9th May 2026 (AEST)
This position is open to residents or people with authority to live and work in Australia. Rates of pay are based on local labour standards.
If this opportunity interests you, we encourage you to apply promptly, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
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.
Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.
Safeguarding
We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding‐focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.
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