Summary
Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)
- Seeking a qualified Mining adviser with at least 7 years experience in the mining sector (in the Asia/Pacific region is an asset)
- Working with the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources
- 12-month contract commencing February / March 2025
- Located in Suva, Fiji
- Open to International and National applications, however relocation and housing benefits will not be available.
FPSP Overview:
The Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP, or the ‘Platform’) is a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment that contributes 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 delivers 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:
- The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including through supporting strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments.
- The Platform has prioritised gender equality and 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 agencies.
- 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.
Background:
The Mining Division of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral resources is Fiji’s lead agency in attracting private investment in resource exploration and development. The Division provides geoscientific information on minerals resources as well as management of an equitable and secure titles systems for the mining, petroleum and geothermal industries. It also carries prime responsibility for regulating extractive industries in Fiji, including the collection of royalties, and ensuring that safety, health and environmental standards are consistent with relevant regulations. In addition, the Mining Division is committed to educating the community about resource development and regulation in respective resource sectors. It is also focused on delivering key strategies to ensure the continued growth of the resources industry and to maximize the economic and social return to all Fijians.
The regulation of the mineral sector is provided for under the Mining Act 1965, which had undergone a review process in the late nineties and early 2000 resulting in the development of the Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill (MEEB). The MEEB is currently in its eleventh draft which was finalised in 2007. It addresses the outdated mining law of Mining Act 1965, with improved safety, best practise regulation and mining tenement administration. The Bill also reflects the new laws, such as Environment Management Act 2015, Employment Relations Act 2007, Fair Share Mineral Royalties Act 2018 and the Occupational Health and Safety at Workplace Act as well as conventions that Fiji has ratified relevant to the mineral sector (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, United Nations Convention on Biodiversity and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea etc.). Further input is needed to align the Bill to the 2013 Constitution.
Description
Position Summary:
The Adviser to the Mining Division (the “Adviser”) is responsible for advising the Mining Division on the policy and regulatory processes regarding Fiji’s minerals industry, utilising best practice in management, promotion and regulation best fit to Fiji’s mineral sector. In addition, The Adviser will support monitoring of the Mining Division’s work programs to effectively deliver required outputs stated in the Ministerial Operational Plan and the Annual Business Plan.
The Adviser will also provide support during the review of the Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill, supporting consultations and advising on inputs to the draft Bill (noting drafting itself will be delivered separately). Support to the Ministry post enactment of the Bill into law will be important for implementation, effectiveness and sustainability.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources to manage the Mining Division in implementing a robust monitoring framework for the export of mineral resources and core concentrates, at all stages of mining (prospection, actual mining, post mining) in Fiji. Identify the relevant training needs to support the adoption of the monitoring framework and capacity building programs for the Mining Division.
- Provide important inputs to the Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill as it becomes finalised for legislative drafting in 2026 i.e., preparation of respective codes and standards tailored to Fiji’s context, such as:
- Mining Codes for Mineral explorations and mining permitting processes
- Inspections safety protocols and standards
- Mining methodologies safety and standards,
- Tailings facilities safety and standards, etc.
- Mentor counterpart
- Provide ad hoc briefings to the Permanent Secretary and the Director Mines
Key Outputs:
The expected outputs and outcomes of this placement are:
- An Inception Report: This will be submitted one week after commencement of the assignment (signing of the contract). The report shall contain the approach and methodology that the consultant will apply in the execution of the assignment and a detailed workplan specifying key tasks to be performed and processes covering the duration of the assignment.
- Consultation Report. This will be submitted after consultations with key government stakeholders on the Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill and on the development of options for a monitoring framework for MLMR’s Mining Division.
- Input into the Draft Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill.
Key Working Relationships:
- Directly reporting to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources on the delivery and quality of agreed outputs
- Working closely with the Director of Mines
- Other government agencies and stakeholders
- Coordination will be required with an Australian Advisory firm (tbc) which will be engaged separately
- Indirectly reporting to FPSP Operations Lead for contract administration
Selection Criteria:
Qualifications
- Graduate degree in Mining engineering with a specialisation in Mining.
- Professional accreditation with a regional institution in the Asia/Pacific sector is desirable
Experience
- At least 7 years of demonstrable experience in the mining sector in the Asia/Pacific region is an asset.
- Experience in environmental and social impact assessments, monitoring and remediation.
- Experience in monitoring core concentrates will be considered an asset.
- Experience with working with miners, mining communities, and landowners will be considered an asset.
- Proven experience in and good knowledge of working with government institutions
Personal Attributes
- Ability to produce clear and concise reports.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to meeting with stakeholders to determine the most feasible mining techniques.
- Commitment to teamwork and to working across disciplines.
How to Apply:
Please apply online by submitting a cover letter addressing how you meet the selection criteria of this role and an up-to-date comprehensive CV.
