Cocoa Partnership Coordinator, Agriculture Growth & Livelihoods

About the role

The Australia-Papua New Guinea Economic Partnership (APEP) is delivering a Central Province Cocoa Partnership activity to strengthen cocoa production, extension, aggregation, post-harvest quality and commercial opportunities. The Cocoa Partnership Coordinator manages day-to-day partner engagement, monitors implementation of work plans and validates contracted milestones, combining project management with field oversight. About 50-60% of working time is spent in the field, and the role is open to Papua New Guinea citizens only.

Key responsibilities

• Support preparation and delivery of partnership plans, work plans, milestones, budgets and counterpart contributions, and coordinate activities with partners
• Visit each active partner at least quarterly, monitor extension services, farmer training, nurseries, planting, post-harvest improvements and delivery of inputs and equipment
• Check site and water conditions, farmer preparation, land access and consent, and asset maintenance arrangements
• Validate milestones against evidence (quantities, quality, location, beneficiary receipt) and document discrepancies
• Maintain partner work plans, a progress tracker, risk records and an Excel-based KPI dashboard, and take part in monthly partner progress discussions
• Document quarterly field verification findings and contribute data for six-monthly project reporting
• Keep accurate beneficiary records, support baseline and endline monitoring with MERLA and GEDSI staff, and monitor inclusion and safeguarding compliance
• Identify underperformance and recommend changes to activities, partner support or allocations, and provide field evidence for evaluation and future planning

Required profile

• Degree in agriculture, agronomy, agricultural extension, rural development, project management or a related discipline, or equivalent qualifications and substantial practical experience
• At least five years of experience in agricultural or rural development projects, including coordination, field implementation and extension or monitoring
• Ability to spend 50-60% of time in the field, travel extensively across Central Province, stay overnight in remote areas and organise visits independently
• Valid PNG Class 1 or 2 driver's licence and experience driving on rural roads and four-wheel-drive vehicles
• Clear written and spoken English, including communication in Tok Pisin
• Desirable: cocoa agronomy or extension experience, familiarity with Central Province and private-sector-led value chains, and experience with DFAT-funded programmes, Family Farm Teams or livelihood monitoring

Required skills

• Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel, for reports and KPI dashboards
• SharePoint for document storage, sharing and version control

Applications must address the selection criteria in a cover letter and include a CV as a single document, submitted online by individuals only. The closing date is 22 November 2026. The role is based in Port Moresby and starts in January 2027.