Investment Screening Adviser – CACC and PMNEC|APEP
Commencement: November 2025 Long Term Adviser role Located in Central Agency Coordinating Committee (CACC), Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council (PMNEC) Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Open to all applicants
About the Program
The Australia – PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment to assist GoPNG to create a stable and more prosperous country. The investment is a key coordination point from which Australia delivers its economic development support to PNG. The Australian Government is committed to delivering the Partnership in accordance with the principles of integration and alignment with PNG’s economic sector policies, systems and processes.
The Partnership’s policy objective is to assist PNG in its efforts to achieve sustained growth, capable of lifting the standard of living of all citizens, while also ensuring Australia maintains its reputation as PNG’s economic partner of choice.
About the Program Activity
PNG is seeking to build stronger investment screening structures that encourage foreign and domestic investment that are economically viable and secure. Australia is supporting PNG to fulfil this commitment, including by supporting capacity building within the PNG Government.
The Adviser will provide advisery support to the CACC and facilitate access to an international economic advisery service to provide objective economic analysis to support PNG decision-making on foreign and domestic investment proposals. The advisery service will provide analysis and advice on investment proposals across a range of sectors on behalf of the CACC.
About the Opportunity
The Adviser will work within the CACC to directly provide and facilitate third party advisery services to PNG’s Chief Secretary in the assessment of domestic and foreign investment proposals.
The Adviser will also work closely with senior officials in the CACC to promote robust and consistent evidenced-based advice to guide the development and implementation of a robust investment screening process.
Key responsibilities
Facilitate access to international adviser services ranging from economic policy and governance; financial sector development (public and private); competition and economic regulation, and transaction advisery services and project finance structuring, as directed. Work collaboratively with staff and other advisers in the CACC and ensure all members of the CACC have access to the advisery services. Consider foreign and domestic investment proposals as directed. Accurately record the decisions of the CACC to be shared with NEC for the final decisions. Contribute to policy briefs and analysis as required. Promote a culture of professionalism, high performance, and excellence and contribute to discussions on best practice to develop a sustainable, long term investment screening structure in PNG. Identify potential risks for the Chief Secretary relating to the development of an investment screening process and support the development of risk mitigation strategies. Perform any other duties as requested by the Chief Secretary.
Key deliverables
The expected outputs of this assignment are:
Provide written and verbal advice to the Chief Secretary and members of the CACC on assessments undertaken on each investment proposal. Provide written reports on all decisions of the CACC to be shared with NEC for the final decision on each investment proposal. Develop high quality policy briefs and analysis, as required.Key working relationships
The Chief Secretary and Chief Secretary’s Senior Adviser Team and Office staff APEP Director and Team
About You
For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided.
• A degree in economics or public policy is essential, reflecting the role’s emphasis on investment screening, economic analysis, and evidence-based policy development.
•Ten or more years professional experience at senior advisery levels in economic governance, financial sector development, competition regulation, and infrastructure investment analysis—especially in emerging markets like PNG.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of high performance and contribute to building robust, long-term investment screening structures aligned with PNG’s development and security goals.
• Ability to provide high-quality written and verbal advice to senior government officials, including policy briefs and investment assessments that support evidence-based decision-making.
•Ability to coordinate international advisery support in economic policy, project finance, and investment analysis, and work effectively within senior government bodies to strengthen investment screening frameworks.
• Capable of identifying risks associated with investment screening and advising on mitigation strategies to protect national interests and support the Chief Secretary.
•Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of high performance and contribute to building robust, long-term investment screening structures aligned with PNG’s development goals.
How to Apply
Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document. Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted. The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.
We welcome and thank all applications; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: Wednesday, 15 October 2025 (Middy, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT
We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.