Research Advisor

Job Brief:

This position is open to both suitably qualified International and PNG National candidates.

Position Description:

Program Background

DT Global has been engaged by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to manage the next phase of Australia’s investment in strengthening the delivery of law and justice services in Papua New Guinea for a 4-year period to 31 December 2027.

APLJ seeks to contribute to PNG’s law and justice sector capacity to provide inclusive, safe, secure and accountable law and justice foundations for peaceful and prosperous communities, equitable economic development and private sector growth.

The program aligns with the Government of Papua New Guinea’s (GoPNG) law and justice sector goal of ‘building peaceful and prosperous communities together’. APLJ will focus on three End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

EOPO 1 – Community Safety and Access to Justice at the Local Level: Communities in target locations, especially women, children, persons with disabilities, vulnerable people and those accused of sorcery, have improved access to selected justice and support services.

EOPO 2 – Law and Justice Services Supply: Responsible law and justice sector agencies increasingly provide selected inclusive, responsive, and accountable essential law and justice services in target locations.

EOPO 3 – Leadership, Coordination and Accountability: Responsible law and justice mechanisms demonstrate improved sectoral leadership and coordination of national and subnational law and justice services and improved sector integrity systems.

About DT Global Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com

The Role

The Research Advisor will provide technical leadership and management oversight of APLJ's portfolio of research, political economy analysis and cross-cutting thematic studies.

Reporting to the Director of MERLA, the position will be responsible for coordinating the design, commissioning, implementation, quality assurance and dissemination of research and related activities across the program.

The role will ensure research is methodologically sound, contextually relevant, responsive to the needs of APLJ and its partners, and translated into actionable findings that inform program implementation, strategic decision-making and adaptive management.

The Research Advisor will work closely with APLJ technical teams, program leadership, the Australian High Commission, PNG government counterparts and external research consultants to ensure research activities are coordinated, timely and aligned with program priorities.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position:

https://tinyurl.com/mr4naau9

About You

The preferred candidate will have:

Essential

• Postgraduate qualification in international development, political science, public policy, social sciences, law, governance or a related discipline.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in applied research, program management, governance, international development or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex research assignments, including commissioning studies, supervising consultants, reviewing deliverables and coordinating stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches, political economy analysis and applied policy research.
• Demonstrated ability to critically assess research quality and translate findings into practical program or policy recommendations.
• Experience working with government institutions, development partners and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines and competing priorities.
• Excellent analytical, report-writing, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to GEDSI, safeguarding and ethical research practices.

Desirable

• Experience working in Papua New Guinea or the broader Pacific region.
• Knowledge of PNG's law and justice sector, governance institutions and political economy.
• Experience managing political economy analyses, justice sector research or institutional assessments.
• Familiarity with Australian Government-funded development programs and DFAT reporting requirements.
• Experience supporting monitoring, evaluation, research, learning and adaptive management in complex development programs.
• Experience facilitating research uptake, policy dialogue and organisational learning processes.
• Familiarity with First Nations engagement approaches and locally led research practices.

Why join the Australia-Papua New Guinea Law and Justice Partnership (APLJ)?

By joining the APLJ, you will be part of a dynamic and effective team where you can collaborate with leading experts and professionals from diverse backgrounds, access development programs to achieve your career goals, and be challenged to take a global outlook.