Program Overview:    

FPSP, also referred to as the ‘Platform’, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment, will contribute to the delivery of Fiji’s national development priorities, in line with the Vuvale Partnership and the Development Partnership Plan. The Platform will deliver key bilateral programs, such as health, education, scholarships, social infrastructure, governance and emergency preparedness and response. Platform activities will address climate risks, promote climate action, and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) across and beyond the sector programs. 

The IPP partners with the Government of Fiji (GoF) to deliver assistance in targeted areas where Australia is well placed to support Fiji in relation to governance, using twinning relationships, technical assistance, or mobilising grants. 

Through the Platform, Abt will recruit a Coordination Officer to assist Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) with the implementation of the Vuvale Partnership. 

Position Summary:    

The Vuvale Implementation Coordination Officer will support MFA to coordinate and assess requests for support from across GoF under the Vuvale Partnership, as well as support GOF’s communication and reporting on implementation of the Vuvale Partnership across relevant Ministries and agencies. The Officer will lead on the development of a framework and associated processes to coordinate and prioritise requests. Processes established may assist MFA with broader coordination of development assistance from other development partners. The Officer will work closely with MFA staff to assist with the preparations and coordination across GoF in the lead up to the Fiji-Australia Senior Officials Meeting.

Key Responsibilities:    

• Working with GoF stakeholders to ensure relevant agencies and Ministries have a comprehensive understanding of Vuvale Partnership commitments and their respective roles in implementation.
• Working with GoF stakeholders and relevant agencies to coordinate, analyse and manage requests for support as they relate to the commitments under the Vuvale Partnership including the development of an appropriate template to facilitate requests for support. 
• Providing support to MFA in relation to the Senior Official Meeting, including coordinating and monitoring progress under the Vuvale Partnership. 
• Preparation of reports and other communication products related to the Vuvale Partnership with support from the Australian High Commission as required. 
• Working with MFA to identify the opportunities for support from other development partners where requests fall outside of Vuvale Partnership. 
• Working with MFA to establish and implement processes and frameworks for coordination of requests from across GoF, including for broader coordination of development assistance from other development partners where requested by MFA. 
• Other duties as reasonably directed by PS MFA and/or Governance Team Leader.

Key Working Relationships:   

Reporting to

• Formal Reporting Line: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) 
• Informal Reporting Line: Governance Team Leader, IPP FPSP

Other

• GoF Stakeholders 
• MFA Permanent Secretary and Ministry staff 
• DFAT Post Representatives 
• FPSP Governance Team lead and broader Governance Team 
• FPSP Cross-cutting Priorities Team

Selection Criteria:    

• Undergraduate degree in public policy, development or relevant field. 
• Previous experience working in the public sector is desirable. 
• Demonstrated ability to operate with innovation, adaptability, flexibility, and resilience to accommodate change in a complex, uncertain, high-energy environment.
• Demonstrated conceptual thinking and problem-solving ability. 
• Strong presentation skills. 
• Good PC skills / competent in the use of Word, Excel, and Power Point. 
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and stakeholder management skills. 
• Delivering results with minimal direction and meeting GoF expectations. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the proven ability to quickly build and maintain strong relationships with people from varying backgrounds, levels and experience.

About Us

Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Global is regularly ranked as one of the top global research firms and one of the international development innovators.  The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries.

At Abt Global, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.