Country Manager, Papua New Guinea

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Position description

Country Manager, Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | Full-time, senior-level staff position | Two-year fixed-term agreement

About The Asia Foundation 

The Asia Foundation (TAF) is an international nonprofit organization working to solve the toughest social and economic challenges in Asia and the Pacific. For more than 70 years, we have been helping people in more than 20 countries navigate complexity and change to realize their aspirations. Our vision is a peaceful, just and thriving Asia and Pacific.

We root our work in local insight, on-the-ground presence, and trust. We operate as a committed and locally grounded partner, with most of our people coming from the places in which we work. This enables us to respond nimbly to evolving challenges, catalyze contextually relevant and effective solutions, and sustain relationships long enough to see systemic change take hold.  

Position Summary 

The Asia Foundation (TAF) seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as Country Manager, Papua New Guinea, based in Port Moresby. This will be the senior-most position in-country, responsible for strategic direction and expanding country programs, drawing on TAF’s wider experience and expertise in Asia and the Pacific. Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships,

The Country Manager will lead key aspects of the Foundation’s work in Papua New Guinea: strengthening relations with government, donors, and local partners; setting strategic direction for new programs and analytical initiatives; business development; and oversight of new programs and partnerships. The role will build on TAF’s current relationships with government, donors, civil society, and diplomatic partners, and drive new opportunities for collaboration and resource mobilization. The position will collaborate closely with the TAF Pacific office in Suva, Fiji, which will continue to lead on regional Pacific programs, finance functions,

Our country leadership roles are central to advancing our mission. They shape strategy, build partnerships, and represent our commitment to collaboration, inclusion, innovative and agile thinking, and evidence-based action across Asia and the Pacific. The Country Manager will play a pivotal role in enabling TAF to meaningfully support Papua New Guinea’s development and international relations, with a particular focus on deepening partnerships with Asia.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop new program concepts and partnerships that address Papua New Guinea’s most important challenges and opportunities.
• Drive resource mobilization and diversify funding sources through proactive proposal development and donor relations.
• Lead on thought leadership analytical work in Papua New Guinea that addresses key challenges and opportunities in the country.
• Represent TAF publicly to strengthen visibility, credibility, and in Papua New Guinea.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, donors, diplomatic missions, and development partners.
• Collaborate with TAF Country Offices in Asia to develop new programs to strengthen Papua New Guinea’s connections with Asia.
• Lead and implement an integrated country strategy aligned with TAF priorities.
• Oversee implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for new programs, to ensure quality, impact, and compliance.
• Oversee recruitment, supervision, and development of new staff to foster collaboration, learning, and performance excellence.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in international development, public policy, political science, economics, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in international development, international policy, or related fields, ideally in Asia or the Pacific.
• Experience with (or knowledge of) TAF’s programs and operating model in Asia.
• Understanding of Papua New Guinea’s political, social, and economic context, and/or ability to quickly develop country expertise drawing on experience in the Pacific and Asia.
• Proven leadership in program management, team supervision, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills; fluency in English.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable insights for multiple audiences.
• Strong track record of working effectively at policy level and building trust with government, industry, and civil society partners.

Preferred

• Experience working in digital economy, economic development, and/or international relations.
• Experience in applying political economy analysis methods in international development programs.
• Experience working with multilateral or bilateral organizations or international NGOs

Application instructions

How to Apply: Visit our website at Careers | The Asia Foundation

Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted at the appropriate stage of the process with candidate notice and/or consent as required by applicable law. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline: October 23, 2026 

Appointment, Work Authorization, and Employment Terms

This is an internationally recruited role based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Candidates from diverse backgrounds including Papua New Guinea nationals and others with deep knowledge of PNG are strongly encouraged to apply. The assignment is expected to last two years. The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain all required work authorization, visa, residency, and other approvals necessary to work in Papua New Guinea.

Compensation and benefits may differ based on the applicable appointment or assignment structure, work authorization, location, internal equity, applicable law, and organizational policy. Candidates may be eligible for relocation or international assignment benefits depending on appointment structure and individual eligibility.

All employees are expected to uphold the Foundation’s safeguarding, child protection, anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, and code of conduct policies. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory, role-appropriate reference checks and, where permitted by law, background checks conducted in accordance with applicable law, organizational policy, and any applicable funder requirements. Checks will be proportionate to the role and handled confidentially.

The Asia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any status protected by applicable law. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may contact us at 1-415-982-4640.