Risk & Safeguarding Manager, Ncp Mass

About the Program Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities. The New Colombo Plan (NCP) The New Colombo Plan is an initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo‑Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. Students undertake scholarship programmes, participate in Mobility projects, and on completion become alumni. We are contracted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to manage the NCP Managed Administrative and Support Services (MASS) programme, which underpins the effective operation of the Scholarship, Semester and Mobility programmes as well as alumni engagement, and provides the cross‑cutting functions of funds management, communications, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL). Palladium provides the risk‑management cross‑cutting support function to the NCP, ensuring that appropriate risk assurance, risk and incident management, as well as safety, security and safeguarding systems and processes are implemented across the NCP programme areas in line with the head contract requirements and relevant DFAT, NCP and Palladium policies and operational procedures. Risk and Safeguarding Manager The role of Risk and Safeguarding Manager is responsible for leading the cross‑cutting risk‑management function, helping to instil a risk and safety culture across the programme that is responsive and adaptable to evolving policy, programme and operational contexts, as well as emerging lessons and experience, including findings of formal reviews, assurance processes and audits. It will coordinate and advise on risk, safeguarding and incident management processes for the Scholarship, Semester and Mobility programmes, and for engagement with alumni and stakeholders, working closely with the MASS programme area teams and NCP stakeholders, helping to build capability in this key area. Key responsibilities include: Liaise with counterparts in the New Colombo Plan Secretariat (NCS) for the Scholarship Programme, Semester and Mobility Programme and the wider NCS and DFAT teams as required. Work collaboratively with other NCP MASS roles/teams, including the scholar support services team, semester and mobility team, alumni and engagement teams. Promote a collaborative and supportive team culture, where risk, safety and safeguarding are a core focus. Engage with key MASS suppliers including the insurance broker, emergency assistance provider and specialist consultants/advisers contracted to work on key risk or safeguarding related projects or initiatives. Engage with relevant NCP stakeholders, including scholar host organisations (universities, language training providers, internship providers) and home university ILOs. Coordinate all risk escalations and incident management processes, advising Palladium and DFAT on ensuring the programme has appropriate risk‑management policies, systems and processes to instil a risk and safety culture across the relevant programme areas and functions. Location & Contract This is a full‑time, fixed‑term position with a contract running until 30 June, with the possibility of extension. The role will be based in either Palladium’s Adelaide or Brisbane office. Palladium encourages flexible work practices to enhance wellbeing, productivity and team culture in line with the Flexible Work Policy. Reporting Lines and Requirements The role reports to the Director, NCP MASS and works closely with the Scholarships Manager, Semester and Mobility Manager, and Deputy Director (Operations). It is a member of the senior management team for MASS. Reporting requirements may include but are not limited to: Attendance at client and team meetings and other requested meetings with stakeholders. Regular (minimum of monthly) one‑to‑one meetings with the line manager on performance, career development discussions and other matters. Employees are required to maintain an in‑office presence for the majority of the working week; for example, if working five days a week, at least three days must be spent physically in the office. Primary Duties and Responsibilities 1. Manage the NCP risk‑management support service function Oversee implementation of risk‑management assurance requirements for Scholarship, Semester and Mobility programmes, working closely with the relevant programme managers and DFAT counterparts. Lead on the final review and approval of risk assessments for scholars, mobility and semester projects, providing feedback and advice that can be used by relevant programme team members in their engagement with scholars and university international offers and can inform system and process improvements. Advise and train the MASS team and stakeholders (scholars, ILOs, etc.) on risk and incident management processes, developing and helping to implement user‑friendly tools, templates and materials guided by best practice, operational experience. This includes inputs to the pre‑departure training programme for new scholars that focuses on risk, safety, security and safeguarding. Implement risk assurance processes and protocols across NCP such as audits, spot checks and business improvement activities, based on lessons, with the aim of continuous improvement. Lead on all risk escalations and incident management processes, coordinating with DFAT, MASS, emergency assistance providers and other stakeholders and ensuring lessons are used to inform ongoing updates to incident management policies and procedures. Advise on risk management plans for key projects and events organised by MASS. Contribute to engagement with the NCP insurer and emergency assistance provider for the Scholarship Programme, supporting the operations and scholarship teams in managing these contracts. Ensure the NCP programme areas comply with all relevant risk‑related policies, including DFAT’s safeguarding and fraud prevention policies, engaging with the Palladium corporate risk and safeguarding teams where appropriate. Maintain databases and records management systems for tracking and reporting on risks, issues and incidents, and recommend updates or improvements where appropriate. Contribute to MASS planning activity, ensuring appropriate risk management activities are integrated into the annual workplan and relevant plans for programme areas. Contribute to MASS reporting activity such as reporting on risks and issues, incident management reports, mandatory reporting to DFAT on safeguarding and fraud. 2. Lead on learning, review and business improvement processes for the risk function Create a practical and prioritised schedule of business improvements for the NCP support services that can be implemented in accordance with findings of a review of the NCP risk management function. Review and update risk management operational policies, tools and templates, building on the review findings and best practice from corporate Palladium risk and safeguarding functions or other industry sources. Facilitate reflection and learning processes across the MASS team and where relevant with NCP stakeholders, including rapid reviews following incidents and in response to changing risk contexts. Coordinate any actions relevant to the risk management function required for the transition to a new support services contract and the next phase of NCP, working with the MASS contract management team and advising where appropriate on how the risk management function needs to adapt to the requirements of NCP reforms. 3. Other duties, as required Assist in the development and ongoing review of programme documentation and resources. Contribute to contract and programme risk management requirements as required. Other duties as required. Skills and Experience Minimum 5 years’ experience in senior risk and safeguarding roles within DFAT‑funded or international education/scholarships programmes in the Indo‑Pacific. Proven experience applying DFAT’s Aid Risk Management Framework and safeguarding policies. Strong cross‑cultural communication, stakeholder engagement, and incident management skills. Excellent project management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage a high‑volume, varied workload, including setting priorities and managing workflows, coordinating cross‑function teams. Strong interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication, and ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders. Effective problem‑solving skills, including the ability to gather relevant information, make decisions based on evidence and escalte issues appropriately. Demonstrated sound judgement and ability to work within and apply guidelines and policies appropriately, including implementing and adapting to policy changes. A flexible and pragmatic approach to work, with the ability to respond to changing or unexpected circumstances and adjust to surge periods when required. A strong commitment to continuous business improvement and excellent service delivery standards. Experience of designing and implementing risk and safety systems and processes for student, youth or volunteer programmes in the Indo‑Pacific is highly desirable. Certification in risk management (e.g., ISO 31000, IRM). Familiarity with higher education systems in Australia and the Indo‑Pacific. How to Apply Please submit your CV through the Palladium International Careers Page. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. The closing date is Thursday, 18 December. For more information about the role, please contact NCP Recruitment. We are only accepting applications from job seekers with full working rights within Australia as this role is unable to be sponsored. We are not accepting resumes from recruitment agencies for this role. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success, and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include, but are not limited to, socio‑economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team and we will be in touch to discuss. Palladium recognizes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future. Safeguarding We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding‑focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process. #J-18808-Ljbffr