Project Manager, Family Support Centre
Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information contained was
correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes responsibility for matters under our
direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to change due to the inherent low levels of
predictability in developing country environments. This assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect
changes in circumstances.
General Details
Assignment Title
Project Manager, Family Support Centre
Host Organisation
Kavieng General Hospital
Website of Host Organisation
N/A
Duration of Assignment
18 months
Start Date
1st April 2016
Pre-departure Briefing Date
10th – 13th February 2016
AVI Assignment Code
10533996
Australian Partner Organisation
N/A
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
Host Organisation Overview
To deliver effective curative and public health services to the population of New Ireland in
alignment with national, provincial and local policy.
The New Ireland Provincial Health Authority will bring together four distinct health delivery
organisations in New Ireland: Kavieng General Hospital, New Ireland Provincial Health ,
Kavieng District Health and Namatanai District Health.
The consolidated organisation will have a single unified management structure (one CEO and
three directors), 470+ staff and a combined of more than 25 million kina. Previously, each
layer of the health system had operated semi-autonomously. The PHA model has been
developed nationally to deal with the bottle-necks in health service delivery that have arisen
from this kind of fragmented political and budget responsibility.
Family Support Centres
Kavieng Hospital (under the auspices of the PHA) will be responsible for setting up a Family
Support Centre for New Ireland Province.
The Family Support Centre (FSC) will provide initial medical and psychosocial support for
survivors of family and sexual violence. It will also provide referrals to other organisations for
case management and legal support.
Both Kavieng Hospital and the Family and Sexual Action Violence Committee (FSVAC) have
committed to setting up a FSC for New Ireland Province. However, only limited work has been
done to secure the necessary funding, resources and infrastructure.
Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC)
The New Ireland FSVAC is the provincial branch of a nationally mandated committee that is
responsible to liaise, coordinate and network between collaborating agencies involved in
family and sexual violence. In 2015, it was recently revived, and a new and active executive
elected. The FSVAC still has significant work to define its scope of operations, and establish
its political legitimacy.
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
Assignment Overview
Gender-based violence is a significant challenge for New Ireland. However, service provision
to address this challenge is both minimal and fragmented.
All key stakeholders in the province see the setup of the Family Support Centre (FSC) as
critical to improving service delivery. However, it has not yet been possible to translate this
considerable enthusiasm into tangible progress.
A volunteer would provide critical project management support to the hospital, supporting the
scoping, resourcing and setup of the FSC. They would also provide vital administrative
support in the first year of operation, supporting local staff to take over their duties.
While the FSC will be physically located at Kavieng Hospital, its success will also depend on
links established with other stakeholders (e.g. police and community groups). The volunteer
will support these linkages, while also providing ad-hoc support to the Family and Sexual
Violence Action Committee.
Assignment Objectives
1. Provide project management and administrative support for the setup of a Family
Support Centre in New Ireland Province
2. Support and strengthen links between the FSC and community stakeholders (primarily
through strengthening the FSVAC)
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Volunteer
In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, volunteers complete a work
plan in the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the
type of work that may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:
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Develop the structure and scope of operations for the FSC
Support the hospital to obtain the necessary resources for the FSC setup , including
preparing proposals and negotiating with donors
Work with local staff to develop a plan and timeline for FSC setup.
Work with hospital human resources team to develop staff roles, responsibilities and
job descriptions for FSC staff.
Network with other community stakeholders – ensuring appropriate links between the
FSC and other community-based agencies (particularly the FSVAC)
As time allows, support the FSVAC secretariat with funding applications, and data
collection mechanisms.
Assignment Information
Line Manager
Staff Supervision
Initially the CEO, Kavieng General Hospital
The volunteer will be required to mentor staff but will not have
staff management responsibilities.
Hours & Days of Employment
From 8 am to 4 pm, day to day
The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5-day week to a maximum of 40
hours per week.
Leave Entitlements
Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays. However, as a
minimum, volunteers will accrue 1 week of leave for each 3 months of work.
Other Conditions
No out of hours work is required
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
Language Skills and Level Required
English is spoken in the workplace, and a low level of local language would be needed in the role.
Language Support
AVI provides language support during the in-country orientation period. Most often additional resources
for further development later in the assignment will be available if required.
Living as a Volunteer
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
New Ireland is a remote province of PNG. New Ireland is located in the New Guinea Islands,
a couple of degrees south of the Equator. Kavieng town is a small flat urban area, comprising
a central business district with older style western style housing. There is only one “sealed”
road in New Ireland, running in a straight line from Kavieng to Namanatanai.
Although an urban area, Kavieng is subject to intermittent power blackouts and water
stoppages, due to supply, maintenance and fuel issues. Kavieng also experiences regular
telecommunication outages
It is a Melanesian society where “wantok system” is the foundation of many of the diverse
cultures that exist in the country. It is a very culturally and environmentally diverse country
which offers many an adventure to the avid traveller willing to take the opportunities to see the
whole of PNG.
Whilst PNG has its fair share of law and order problems, it is by and large a Christian country
as enshrined in its constitution. Churches are an integral part of New Ireland life. Most New
Irelanders identify as either Catholic, Anglican or Seventh Day Adventist.
New Ireland Province is still predominantly a “subsistence culture”. Most of the population
lives in small urban and island villages, building their own homes from “bush materials” and
living off fish, shellfish and village plantations.
Although New Ireland is quite safe compared with Port Moresby, it is unwise to leave
valuables (for example, bicycles, mobile phones, flash drives or cash) lying around. It is
important that volunteers coming to PNG understand that there will be strict safety and
security protocols endorsed by AVI that must be respected.
New Ireland is an angler’s delight! There are also plenty of activities available in town.
Kavieng has a small golf course, the market wharf is perfect for an afternoon, evening or
weekend swim. There is nice snorkelling
Kavieng town has 3 main grocery stores, two with bakeries. Supplies of non perishable foods
are continuous, with stocks dependent on supply boats from Lae and Singapore.
Inexpensive fresh fish, shell fish, fruit, vegetables and nuts are available in town from the
waterfront produce market Tuesday to Saturday and from the “corner market” Monday to
Saturday.
Making local friends is important in Kavieng, due to the limited expatriate community. It will
also help prevent any potential security issues, because the Kavieng community “looks after
its own”.
Being able to speak a little Tok Pisin earns a great deal of appreciation and respect from New
Irelanders, many of whom have little to no English or are more comfortable speaking a local
language.
Around town, modest clothing is especially important for women – this means covering the
buttocks and thighs at all times, and not wearing very short or tight skirts or shorts or showing
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
cleavage. Women should also wear board shorts while swimming and a singlet or shirt. This
should be considered respectful rather than restricting, as you are a visitor in this culture.
New Ireland has a very rich cultural heritage, more complex than that of the PNG mainland
provinces. There is still a strong belief in magic, and particularly the magic associated with the
spirits of those who have passed, shark calling, carving and cultural performances.
While New Ireland is relatively safe, burglaries do occur at night. To avoid becoming a target,
valuables (such as chairs, hammocks, bicycles, gas bottles, water or fuel containers and
gardening tools) should not be left outside unsecured, and AVI’s security requirements should
be adhered to for fencing, door and window security, and the use of security lights at night.
Kavieng is a “walkable” town, however there are no footpaths, and roads and verges are in
poor repair.
Volunteers will be required to bring an “unlocked” phone or purchase one in PNG. Very basic
“Alcatel” brand mobile phones are available in Kavieng for around K50.
Mobile telephone services are provided by Telikom PNG and Digicel. Coverage is good in
Kavieng, although connections can be down occasionally.
iPhones are also very common in Kavieng, and provide the only source of Internet
connectivity for most New Ireland residents.
Both Telikom and Digicel have recently brought out G4 modem dongles for Internet
connectivity, and Skype and similar chat programs may provide a cost-effective means of
communication after 8pm EST.
Allowances & Support
These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically
and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.
Living Allowance
Accommodation Allowance
AUD 1300.00 per month
AUD 0.00 per month
IN PNG, AVI manages long term lease
agreements so there is no cost to the volunteer
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
Housing
AVI will be long-term leasing housing for the volunteer in Kavieng town. AVI will pay the rent on behalf
of the volunteer. The house or flat will be basic, clean and secure. There will be running water and a
toilet and shower in place. The house will contain basic furniture.
Housing is scarce throughout PNG, so the volunteer should expect to share accommodation
with other volunteers from time to time during their placement.
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
In-country Orientation on arrival
Pre-departure vaccination expenses
Visa expenses
Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
Return airfare to country of assignment
Psychological and medical advice and support services
Re-entry support services
Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
Preparing Your Application
Personal Circumstances Constraints
We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to
security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location.
Applicants with accompanying children
Applicants with criminal convictions
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description.
To find out more details about preparing your application, please visit:
http://www.australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/application-process/
To find out more details about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer, please visit:
http://australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/have-you-got-what-it-takes/
Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience
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Degree in either Social Work, or Project Management (or a related field)
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Significant experience supporting the setup and management of new programs or projects
Ability to source funding opportunities, and develop funding proposals
Previous experience setting up organisational or administrative systems.
Ability to cope with challenging and emotionally confronting workplace.
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Ability to network with and support a range of stakeholders (e.g. government, church and
community organisations)
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Commitment to team work, coaching and mentoring others
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Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings
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Patience, tolerance and flexibility
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Ability to cope with cultural isolation and a different standard of living
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Good communication skills
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A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
Desirable Skills & Experience
Experience working in Gender Based Violence (GBV) or a related field
Prior experience working in Papua New Guinea
Fundraising experience.
Accept that a great day is when less things than usual have gone wrong
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online. If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on
our website prior to applying.
Once completed, please visit www.australianvolunteers.com, log in, select the assignment you are
interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.