The Project
Bishop Paul Sundu SVD, Bishop of the Diocese of Kundiawa [suffragan of the Archdiocese of Mt Hagen] in the highlands of PNG, has requested a Manager/Mentor to assist with the organisational skill development of staff working across Diocesan programs. This includes the mechanical workshop, maintenance team, farm staff and liaison with key staff from Callan Services, TVET and the Mingende Hospital.
Note: The monthly living allowance enables you to live a modest local lifestyle. Based on the cost of living in a particular country, it covers food, your daily commute, communication and other local costs. It is not set to enable you to meet financial commitments at home, such as a mortgage or a personal loan. It will not cover the costs of eating out and other entertainment. Read more about what is covered in our FAQ.
The Location
Mingende is approximately 9.7km away from Kundiawa town, PNG. Kundiawa is the capital of Chimbu [or Simbu] Province, a bustling town with an estimated population of over 15,000. Kundiawa is located under the corridor of a 500 metre high limestone outcrop stretching east to west in the north. Kundiawa lies along the Highlands Highway approximately halfway between Goroka and Mount Hagen. Travel time to Mt Hagen is approximately 2 hours and Goroka 2.5 hours.
The Challenge
PNG has a rich and varied culture! As the largest Pacific Island nation it is home to a diverse population of 7.6 million people with around 850 languages. More than 76% of the population are under the age of 35. Despite experiencing significant economic growth over the past decade, the benefits of this growth have not been shared equitably. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a major economic downturn, reduced business activities and heightened affordability constraints, weakening the financial sustainability of energy, ICT, and water service providers. For most Papua New Guineans, accessing a fair and safe livelihood, high quality education, effective health care and other basic services remains a daily challenge.
About You
The successful Palms candidate will have:
- Project Management qualifications and/or experience
- Very good organisational planning skills
- Administrative skills [record keeping]
- Excellent communication skills
- Experience in a supervisory/mentoring role
- Flexibility, adaptability and patience
- Willingness to learn tok pisin
How You Will Help
First you must be willing to learn from the local community.
Over the first six months you are asked not to change anything or suggest a change to operations. During that six months you will take the time to learn language and cultural mores from a local counterpart willing to mentor you. You will also start a register of the strengths of the current personnel and the assets in the community/country that might be used to achieve the goals of the assignment.
Note: The monthly living allowance enables you to live a modest local lifestyle. Based on the cost of living in a particular country, it covers food, your daily commute, communication and other local costs. It is not set to enable you to meet financial commitments at home, such as a mortgage or a personal loan. It will not cover the costs of eating out and other entertainment. Read more about what is covered in our FAQ.
In the second six months you will be ready and better know which of your skills and what of your knowledge applies to:
- assisting with the organisational skill development of staff working across Diocesan programs.
The Palms candidate will work respectfully alongside staff over a two-year timeframe with the overall aim to localise the various skillsets.
To find out more or to apply, please contact Lalena Graham, Programs & Placement Coordinator on 02 9560 5333 or at [email protected].