Help strengthen school leadership and governance across the PNG Highlands

The Diocese of Kundiawa, through Palms International Volunteering, is seeking an experienced school leader or education manager to help strengthen governance, leadership, and administrative systems across its education institutions. Your mentoring will support principals, TVET managers, and school heads to build sustainable, ethical, and effective management practices.

This role is ideal for someone who values relationship based development, long term impact, and working alongside local leaders to build strong, resilient institutions.

What you’ll do

First several weeks – Learn and build relationships

• Learn local language, cultural norms, and organisational context with support from a local mentor.
• Observe existing systems and document strengths and community assets.
• Avoid recommending changes during this period; focus on understanding local practice and reasoning.

Ongoing responsibilities

• Provide day to day leadership support to strengthen school culture and operations.
• Support implementation of mission, vision, strategic goals, and government education policies.
• Lead or support staff meetings, planning sessions, and professional development.
• Strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and monthly appraisal systems.
• Assist with budgeting, financial planning, procurement, and resource allocation.
• Promote accountability, transparency, and safeguarding standards.
• Mentor school leaders and administrative staff to develop sustainable governance practices.
• Document progress and stories of change to support long term capacity building.

What you’ll bring

• Minimum of 5-10 or more years’ experience in the field of education
• Proven experience in school administration, leadership or institutional management
• Capacity to manage budgets, resources, and operational system
• Strong knowledge of education policy and governance systems
• Demonstrated capacity in resource management
• Ability to supervise staff and oversee school operations
• Training expertise across design, delivery, implementation, and assessment
• Integrity, professionalism, and ethical judgment
• Strong mentoring, relationship-building, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Patience, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity.
• Commitment to serve for 12 months with limited resources.

What you’ll gain

• The opportunity to strengthen governance across multiple schools and institutions.
• Deep cultural immersion and meaningful partnerships with local leaders.
• Professional growth in cross cultural leadership and organisational development.
• Contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

About the Diocese of Kundiawa The Diocese oversees a network of schools and TVET institutions across Simbu Province. Many leaders are dedicated but require structured mentoring to strengthen governance, policy implementation, and administrative systems. Your support will help build long term institutional stability and improved educational outcomes.

About Palms International Volunteering For 65 years, Palms International Volunteering has supported skilled Australians to live and work alongside communities in the Asia-Pacific. Our volunteers don’t ‘fix’ problem - they build relationships, strengthen local capacity, and walk with communities striving for dignity and opportunity. These are ‘solidarity placements’. Accommodation and a small stipend is provided, as well as preparation and ongoing support.

The focus is on living as a true neighbour to learn, and to establish an effective mentoring role. This is the basis for lasting capacity building in the community. It is also a chance for you to step out of the rush and reconnect with what matters through a deep cultural immersion and genuine community relationships.