Program and Partnership Director

Are you an experienced international education professional ready to strengthen leadership, skills, and institutional capacity building programs while stewarding strategic partnerships that strengthen Australia–Philippines relationships and deliver lasting development impact? Join Australia Awards Philippines as the Program and Partnerships Director and help shape program delivery, stakeholder engagement, and institutional partnerships that support scholarships, alumni engagement, and locally owned development outcomes.

Contribute to a world where people, communities and the planet thrive.

Tetra Tech International Development is a leading development consulting firm working with government, businesses, and NGOs to solve complex development challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. For more information, please visit our website.

The opportunity

• Manila, Philippines
• Full-time, 1-year contract with the possibility of extension
• Must have Philippines working rights

Australia Awards Philippines

Australia Awards Philippines (AAP) supports the Philippines to achieve its development goals and build enduring relationships with Australia through long-term scholarships, short courses, fellowships and other forms of training for current and emerging leaders and influencers, alongside strategic engagement with alumni.

The AAP program strengthens leadership, skills and institutional capacity while supporting Australia’s development priorities and partnerships in the Philippines. The program places strong emphasis on inclusive practice, evidence-based decision-making, strategic partnerships and high-quality delivery.

The role

The Program and Partnerships Director leads the implementation of the Australia Awards program in the Philippines (AAP). Reporting to the Contractor Representative, the role provides high-level strategic advice, analysis, options, risk assessments and recommendations to inform program direction and DFAT’s lead role in stakeholder engagement and relationship management.

The role also supports the development of partnerships between Australian and Filipino institutions, industry, civil society and alumni networks, while ensuring program delivery remains aligned with Australia–Philippines development priorities, governance requirements, GEDSI, monitoring and learning, and locally driven outcomes.

Key responsibilities

Tetra Tech International Development is seeking a dynamic and experienced Program and Partnerships Director to lead AAP’s strategic implementation, partnership development and governance support.

• Provide high-level strategic advice, analysis, options and risk assessments to inform program decision-making.
• Support DFAT’s stakeholder engagement and relationship management with government, institutions, industry, civil society and alumni.
• Oversee implementation of scholarships, short courses, fellowships, in-country scholarships and alumni engagement activities.
• Identify and support strategic partnerships between Australian and Philippine organisations.
• Develop and operationalise co-financing and in-kind contribution approaches with key partners.
• Use political economy analysis, stakeholder insights and MEL evidence to inform planning and adaptive management.
• Ensure timely delivery of reports, annual plans, financial information and other contractual deliverables.
• Provide strategic support to alumni engagement and public diplomacy outcomes.
• Champion GEDSI across program design, delivery and reporting.
• Lead governance support for the AAP Program Board and Coordinating Committee.
• Manage and support the AAP team and contribute to a positive, collaborative working environment.

Selection criteria

• Higher degree in a relevant field such as higher education, education policy, international education, international development, public policy, partnership development, public administration, business administration or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years’ senior experience leading or managing complex donor-funded programs, preferably DFAT-funded or comparable development programs.

• Experience supporting stakeholder engagement and relationship management with government, institutions, industry, civil society and/or development partners.

• Experience leading governance, planning and performance processes for complex programs.
• Relevant experience in transnational education, partnerships, skills development, institutional collaboration, scholarships, alumni engagement, public diplomacy or professional networks.
• Experience identifying and leveraging partnerships, including co-financing and in-kind contributions.
• Knowledge of the Philippine and Australian tertiary education systems, or the ability to acquire this quickly.
• Ability to synthesise complex information into clear strategic advice and recommendations.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, presentation and report writing skills

For a complete position description please click here.

How to apply

Click the “Apply for job” button.

Applications will only be accepted via the Tetra Tech International Development Website. Emailed applications will be disregarded.

Please submit:

• Resume
• Statement of suitability (not exceeding two pages), demonstrating how your qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills and personal attributes align with the selection criteria.

Apply before 28 July 2026, 11:59PM AEST