Pacific Islands Program Director

Lowy Institute; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lowy Institute in Sydney seeks an exceptional Program Director to lead its Pacific Islands Program, shaping research, public engagement, and Australia’s Pacific policy. You will set analytical direction, oversee original research, and represent the Institute across government and media.

This senior role requires at least ten years of Pacific Islands experience, superb communication, and strong stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated capacity to produce original research and high-quality policy analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including for non-specialist audiences.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills across government, business, and civil society.
• An advanced degree in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Leads the Institute’s Pacific Islands research and public engagement.
• Sets the program’s analytical direction and oversees original research.
• Represents the Institute across government, media, and the corporate sector.
• Reports to the Director of Research and collaborates with related programs.

Skills

Original research

Policy analysis

Written & oral communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Advanced degree in a relevant field

Job description

The Lowy Institute is Australia’s leading international policy think tank. It is independent, non-partisan and at the centre of Australia’s foreign policy and national security debates. Located in Sydney, the Institute produces world-class research and provides distinctive perspectives on the trends shaping Australia and the world.

Our work engages governments, media, and policy communities in Australia and internationally, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

The Institute is seeking an exceptional Program Director to lead its Pacific Islands Program.

ABOUT THE LOWY INSTITUTE

The Lowy Institute is Australia’s leading international policy think tank. It is independent, non-partisan and at the centre of Australia’s foreign policy and national security debates. Located in Sydney, the Institute produces world-class research and provides distinctive perspectives on the trends shaping Australia and the world.

Our work engages governments, media, and policy communities in Australia and internationally, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

The Institute is seeking an exceptional Program Director to lead its Pacific Islands Program.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Pacific Islands Program Director leads the Institute’s research and public engagement on the Pacific Islands, Australia’s Pacific policy, and the effects of large power competition on regional dynamics. This is a senior role within the Institute’s research leadership, with responsibility for setting the program’s analytical direction, producing original research, overseeing events and outreach, and representing the Institute across government, media, and the corporate sector.

The Program Director works alongside counterparts leading programs on the Indo-Pacific, Southeast Asia, India, International Security, and other areas, and reports to the Director of Research.

ABOUT YOU

Candidates will have a minimum of ten years’ professional experience in Pacific Islands affairs, with deep knowledge of the region’s strategic, political, and economic dynamics. Experience may span think tanks, government, journalism, academia, or the corporate sector.

Essential:

• Demonstrated capacity to produce original research and high-quality policy analysis
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including for non-specialist audiences
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills across government, business, and civil society
• An advanced degree in a relevant field

Highly regarded:

• Direct experience with Australian or like-minded government policy processes
• An established media profile as a commentator on Pacific Islands issues
• Experience managing programs, teams, or budgets

The successful candidate will join the organisation at a level commensurate with experience, and with salary and benefits set accordingly.