Scholar Engagement Coordinator
Position Type: Short-term consultancy input
ARF Classification: B2 (MRP rate per financial year)
Total input: Up to a maximum of 50 total days input from January 2025 – February 2026
About Palladium:
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.
About Program:
Palladium is the Managing Contractor for the Australian Government’s Australia Awards Myanmar program. Australia Awards are provided to build the skills and knowledge of individuals so that they can contribute to their country’s development, and to support the ongoing development of links between Australia and the countries to which it provides aid. The Australia Awards are an important part of the Australian Government’s focus on public and economic diplomacy, and provide long term Scholarships, Short Course Awards and other training opportunities.
Scholar engagement activities enrich the Scholarship experience for Myanmar scholars and helps them to foster stronger connections with Australians and Australian organisations. These activities offer scholars in Australia opportunities for professional and leadership development, facilitate personal and professional networking, and support their wellbeing and eventual reintegration. Additionally, these in-Australia activities contribute to communication and public diplomacy efforts, highlighting the value of the Australia Awards Scholarship experience in Myanmar.
Role
The Scholar Engagement Coordinator is a short-term consultancy input role in the program that coordinates a range of professional and leadership development opportunities for Myanmar scholars, in line with the Australia Awards Linkages Framework and the Program’s annual plans and priorities. The Coordinator is expected to build positive relationships with Myanmar scholars and support their active participation in engagement events and activities.
The role involves working with various external stakeholders, including DFAT staff, Program participants, Australian universities, internship and specialist course delivery providers. Additionally, the Coordinator collaborates with service providers such as printers, graphic designers, photographers, event venues, and transport providers. Maintaining effective working relationships with the Program’s subcontractors and providers is essential to ensure the timely and successful delivery of activities of the program.
The Scholar Engagement Coordinator reports to the Deputy Team Leader and collaborates closely with key Program staff, including the Team Leader, Program Coordinators, Program Officer (Scholarships), and Short-Term Advisers such as the Short Course and Scholar Engagement Adviser, Technical Communications and Public Diplomacy Adviser, GEDSI Adviser, MEL Adviser, and Academic Adviser. This collaboration ensures that scholar engagement outcomes are integrated into each phase of the scholarship cycle.
Location:
The role is home-based/remote work
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Coordinate the suite of scholar engagement events and activities Under the direction of the Deputy Team Leader, develop and implement engagement events and activities that align with the Australia Awards Linkages Framework and the Program’s annual plans and prioritiesDevelop and maintain a scholar engagement activity pipelinePrepare and manage the budget for scholar engagement activities Prepare and manage event administration and logistics, including venues, catering, accommodation, flights and meal per-diems (as required)In consultation with the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Adviser, support the reception, integration, and reintegration of scholars with a disabilityIdentify professional development, engagement and networking activities that are suitable for scholars, either online or in-person. Activities should be complementary to those offered by the scholar’s institutions and by DFAT
· Maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders
Maintain positive, professional relationships with all Program stakeholders – especially scholars, DFAT staff, event facilitators, sub-contractors and providers, and relevant colleagues on other Australia Awards programsRepresent the Program and organisation at events and meetings as requested
· Develop impactful communication and public diplomacy materials
Collaborate with the Program Coordinator (MEL & Communications) and Technical Communications & Public Diplomacy Adviser to generate content for the Program website that showcases scholar engagement activities and scholar success stories, adhering to Australia Awards branding guideline and the Program’s Style GuideGenerate and repurpose content for use of social media by DFAT, Program Staff, Palladium, alumni and recipientsCoordinate scholar photo / video and ensure appropriate storage and use of images and footage
· Maintain effective administration and logistics support
Monitor the program’s Engagement inbox to engage scholars in Program activities and events, working with the GEDSI Adviser where necessary in responding to incidents or support requestsSupport the development and population of the Program’s media library Draft contracts and track contract deliverables and expenditure for relevant sub-contractors and providers Arrange payment and track spending for scholar enrichment activitiesMaintain and update mailing lists, the suppliers’ database, and relevant sections of operational and procedural manuals as requiredContribute scholar engagement content for the program’s annual plans and reports as requested
· Effective team performance
Work with a collaborative and team-based approach.Contribute to continuous improvement in service delivery and program performance.Maintain a general understanding of other relevant programs at Palladium and identify areas for networking and collaboration.Key Competencies:
Essential
- Three to five years of professional experience in the Australian tertiary sector, particularly of working with international scholars and students
- Demonstrated high-level skills in effective client and stakeholder relationship management
- Excellent communication skills and experience of working effectively across cultures
- Demonstrated experience of coordinating large-scale events and activities
- Ability to write effectively and accurately in English, including for print and digital media
- An understanding of and commitment to the principles of gender, disability, and social inclusion
- Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload, balance competing demands, and deliver outcomes to specified quality level within agreed time frames
- Excellent administration and organisational skills, with a high level of attention to detail
Desired
- Experience studying in Australia at postgraduate level
- Familiarity with the Australia Awards initiative
- Familiarity with the culture and people of Myanmar
- Familiarity with graphic design, photography and/or digital communication
Special Conditions
Palladium is an Equal Opportunity Employer which requires all staff to read and comply with our Corporate Policies including Code of Conduct, Work Health and Safety, Child Protection Policy, Fraud Prevention, Detection and Investigation Policy, Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy. Police and security checks must be completed where required under the policy.
Other Requirements
The Coordinator will require access to their own computer and reliable internet access. Reasonable communication expenses can be reimbursed on submission of a reimbursement claim accompanied by receipts. Costs must be approved by Palladium before they are incurred.
Choose Palladium for
If you are looking for an opportunity that will allow you to create a positive impact in the international community development space, then this is the place for you.
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis/application close date.
For more information about the role, please send your inquiry to:
Please note - we are only accepting applications from job seekers with full working rights within (country) 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 at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com 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.