International Development: Special Projects Lead

Palladium; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Palladium is delivering the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) for DFAT in Australia. We seek a Special Projects Manager to coordinate urgent, short-cycle international development tasks, turning requests into clear plans, budgets and deliverables while engaging with DFAT, Pacific stakeholders and technical specialists.

You will lead multi-country projects from inception to reporting, manage risks and dependencies, and produce concise briefings and updates for senior government

Qualifications

• Five+ years in international development project management, coordination or related roles with hands-on planning.
• Ability to develop project plans and budgets, track delivery and manage dependencies across stakeholders.
• Excellent written communication with concise briefings, reports and senior updates.
• Sound judgement, integrity and ability to bring structure to urgent, ambiguous work.
• Culturally appropriate engagement across diverse cultures, organisations and perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead responses to DFAT Tasking Notes and short-notice requests with scope, deliverables, timelines and budgets.
• Manage international development projects from inception through implementation and reporting.
• Produce concise, evidence-based briefings, updates and monitoring products for senior officials.
• Coordinate inputs from PLMSP teams, DFAT and stakeholders using culturally appropriate engagement.
• Identify risks early, manage dependencies and escalate material issues as needed.
• Improve delivery through better systems, data, AI, and ways of working.

Skills

Five years international development

Project planning & budgeting

Concise written communication

Judgement & integrity

Cross-cultural stakeholder engagement

Job description

Palladium is delivering the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) for DFAT in Australia. We seek a Special Projects Manager to coordinate urgent, short-cycle international development tasks, turning requests into clear plans, budgets and deliverables while engaging with DFAT, Pacific stakeholders and technical specialists.

You will lead multi-country projects from inception to reporting, manage risks and dependencies, and produce concise briefings and updates for senior government