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 Australia’s International Development Policy, the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership and the Development Partnership Plan. 

The Platform will deliver key bilateral programs, such as health, education, scholarships, social infrastructure, governance, climate and emergency preparedness and response. Platform activities will identify and address climate risks, promote climate action, and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) across and beyond the sector programs.

The Platform has three functional Outcomes: 

1. The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including through supporting strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments.
2. The Platform has prioritised gender equality, disability-inclusive development, and climate and disaster resilience, in its systems and practices. This includes in how it undertakes sector programming and its engagement with selected Government of Fiji (GoF) agencies.
3. The Platform administers timely and efficient programming that is: value for money; maximises use of local supply chains; and supports good governance, and public diplomacy, effective decision making and risk management.

The Platform implements over fifty percent of Australia’s bilateral development support to Fiji across a range of sector programs in education, health, Australia Awards, disaster response, cyclone recovery, social infrastructure and technical assistance to improve public sector governance in Fiji.   

The Platform integrates cross-cutting themes, including gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), climate and disaster resilience, across sector programs. In particular, the Platform seeks to strengthen program outcomes by better addressing the needs of targeted populations including those who are often marginalised. 

AFEP Overview:

The Australian Government is supporting Fiji’s education sector through the Australia Fiji Education Program (AFEP, the Program) working with the Ministry of Education (MoE). 

The objective of the AFEP is “to work with the Government of Fiji under the Vuvale Partnership to catalyse quality education delivery for all Fijian children”. 

The changes expected by the end of the five-year program are: 

• EOPO 1: Schools, particularly trial schools, have improved student literacy and numeracy outcomes, supported by enabling policies, plans and data from the Ministry of Education. 
• EOPO 2: Heads of schools and teachers, supported by enabling policies and data from the Ministry of Education, provide a safe, resilient and inclusive learning environment for all students, particularly in trial schools. 

Four intermediate outcomes will provide pathways to meet these end of program outcomes in priority areas, like implementation of the revised literacy and numeracy curriculum in primary and secondary schools, professional development interventions, analysis and improvement of the Fiji Education Management Information System (FEMIS), as well as GEDSI and student wellbeing.  

The funding for the program is approximately AUD45 million over 9 years (5 years, with an option to extend for a further 4 years) and delivered through a range of activities to achieve the program’s objectives. Implementation modalities include technical advice, procurement of technical services and goods, minor works and infrastructure upgrades, capacity building and training support, support to Ministry led initiatives and innovations, and grants to civil society organisations (CSOs). 

Position Summary:

The Consultant will support AFEP, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection to undertake a strategic mapping of existing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) primary prevention activities in primary and secondary schools.

Working closely with the Platform-supported GBV Prevention Adviser, the Consultant will identify current actors, initiatives, and resources, as well as gaps and opportunities for AFEP to contribute meaningfully to prevention efforts. The mapping will help identify entry points for alignment with the national child protection framework and inform future programming on school safety and student wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Support & Advisory Services

• Work collaboratively with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection (MWCSP) to document current GBV prevention programs and practices in schools.
• Identify and review any available evaluations of current or past GBV prevention activities to extract findings on the effectiveness of interventions, lessons learned from implementation, and recommendations for improving school-based and CSO-led initiatives relevant to the education sector—particularly those aligned with the Ministry of Education’s responsibilities under the GBV National Action Plan.
• Identify and review any available evaluations of current or past GBV prevention activities to extract findings on the effectiveness of interventions, lessons learned from implementation, and recommendations for improving school-based and CSO-led initiatives relevant to the education sector.
• Map alignment with MoE and MWCSP policy frameworks and Fiji’s national commitments to child protection and GBV prevention.
• Recommend potential entry points for AFEP to contribute to primary prevention through education-sector aligned strategies.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

• Coordinate with the Platform GBV Adviser and relevant MoE and MWCSP focal points.
• Facilitate consultations with key stakeholders including CSOs, teacher training institutions, MoE units (including Child Protection and Inclusive Education), and school leaders.

Analysis and Reporting

• Analyse the findings to identify the most effective and promising approaches, and assess the coherence, gaps, overlaps, and opportunities across different initiatives.
• Prepare a report with brief analysis of key findings, strategic recommendations, and a proposed roadmap for AFEP-supported engagement.

Key Working Relationships:

Reporting to

• Team Leader - AFEP

Other:

• Platform GBV Prevention Adviser
• MoE Inclusive Education and Child Protection teams
• MWCSP representatives
• Relevant CSOs and education stakeholders

Selection Criteria:

Experience

• Tertiary qualifications in Education, Social Work, Gender Studies, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in GBV prevention, education policy, or child protection in Fiji or similar contexts.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of Fiji’s education and child protection systems.
• Demonstrated experience conducting program or policy mappings.
• Familiarity with DFAT safeguarding, child protection, and GEDSI policies. 
• Strong facilitation, consultation, and analysis skills.
• High-level written and verbal communication and ability to produce clear, policy-relevant outputs.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and experience working with government and civil society partners.

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.

About the Team
Abt is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation & Energy. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3000 staff in over 50 countries.