Country Director Samoa

Program Background

Pacific Australia Skills is a significant Australian investment which stands to make a major contribution to supporting social and economic growth in the region through strengthening the skills and training sector across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. Pacific Australia Skills builds on the achievements of 17 years of Australian Government support for skills and training in the Pacific. 

About DT Global

DT Global is shaping a future where sustainable development and innovation empower individuals, communities, and nations. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to foster inclusive prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries to solve complex problems in the peacebuilding, governance, economic development, environment, and human development sectors. With a track record of technical excellence and more than 60 years of international development experience and relationships, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives.

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The Role
The Country Director will be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships and partnerships with diverse stakeholders, the day-to-day management and technical oversight of the program including all aspects of country portfolio performance and operations. The Country Director is the primary liaison between the country team and DFAT Post. Country Directors will be senior Pacific Australia Skills team members, with the capacity to drive politically informed and locally led approaches. The role will contribute to Pacific Australia Skills policies, strategies and implementation approaches and lead the development and implementation of Country Plans. The role will provide strategic leadership and mentorship to in-country teams.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Day-to-day leadership of in-country teams, including utilizing appropriate management approaches and expertise, recruitment, security, procurement, financial management and budgeting, ensuring compliance with local laws, and adhering to DT Global and DFAT policies and procedures. 

• Serve as a representative of Pacific Australia Skills in-country, and in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, maintain relations with the DFAT Post and other relevant stakeholders including skills and training institutions, development partners and industry groups. 

• Represent Pacific Australia Skills at high-level official meetings and functions, including Pacific Australia Skills governance mechanisms including sub-committees. 

• Through leadership and active mentoring, developing the country team to understand the strategic direction of Pacific Australia Skills, including objectives and approach. 

• Foster a culture of continuous learning and encourage and initiative cross-country knowledge sharing. 

• Drive development and implementation of the country plan and local partnerships, ensuring it is politically informed and aligned with DT Global's and DFAT's locally led approaches. 

• Contribute to developing harmonious working relationships with DFAT, colleagues and key stakeholders, and assist to build the profile and reputation of Pacific Australia Skills as a high performing support program. 

• As a member of the Pacific Australia Skills team, contribute to program strategy development and work planning; integration of gender equality, disability and social inclusion, First Nation perspectives, climate resilience and other cross-cutting issues; fostering of a collaborative team; and measurement of results and production of reports.

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge 

• Tertiary qualification in international development or education or another relevant discipline such as political science, international business or change management. 

• Extensive demonstrated experience leading and managing in a complex environment, including establishing and maintaining relationships and partnerships across diverse stakeholders. 

• Established conceptual, analytical and Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) skills including the ability to identify emerging issues, and expertise to resolve operational issues and manage innovative solutions to complex problems in an adaptive manner. 

• Extensive demonstrated experience of working in Samoa and/or the Pacific region in skills and/or education. 

• Proven ability to establish priorities, organize and manage staff performance, develop and manage budgets, achieve end-of- program objectives and to meet tight deadlines within a complex organization. 

• Understanding of and commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Child Protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), prevention of human trafficking, environmental protection, anti-corruption and other DFAT safeguarding policies. 

• DT strongly encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds including first nations, diverse SOGIESC and people with disabilities.

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HOW TO APPLY
Click the 'Apply Now' button.

Please submit
1) Your CV
2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

  
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 11:59pm Samoa Time, Monday 01 December 2025.
  
Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All applications will be reviewed in a 'rolling basis'. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.