Job description

Position Description 

Position: Building Adviser

Program: Vanuatu Australia Infrastructure for Development (VAI4D)

Location: Port Vila, Vanuatu

Duration: Until June 30, 2026 (with the option to extend)

Required Travel: Possibility of travel within Vanuatu

Reports To: Lead Engineering Adviser

Direct Reports: Nil

Background

The Vanuatu Australia Infrastructure for Development (VAI4D) program is a five-year (2024-2029) investment funded by the Government of Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). VAI4D supports the Government of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) to achieve sustainable and well-maintained infrastructure and services for all, through inclusive and effective partnerships. VAI4D continues Australia’s assistance to MIPU/PWD to effectively and efficiently managed Vanuatu’s public roads network while expanding support for strengthening the capacity of MIPU to deliver infrastructure projects in civil aviation, ports and marine, and public buildings.

The VAI4D investment is focused on three end of program outcomes (EOPOs):

EOPO 1: MIPU PWD manages Vanuatu’s public roads network effectively and efficiently.

EOPO 2: MIPU (civil aviation &/or ports and marine &/or public buildings) use improved systems, processes, and technologies.

EOPO 3: GoV agencies deliver infrastructure portfolios and projects more coherently, effectively, and efficiently, in coordination with GoA partners.

VAI4D also mainstreams and spotlights cross-cutting areas, including gender equity, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), climate change & disaster risk resilience, social and environmental safeguards, localisation, and asset management through the identification, planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of projects.

Position Summary

The Building Adviser (BA) will work closely with MIPU’s Public Works Department (PWD) to drive the successful planning and delivery of building projects as well as improving processes and systems within the Architects Unit of PWD. The BA will also work with the Ministry of Internal Affairs/Port Vila City Council ‘s Town Planning Division to fulfil their mandate to approve building permits and inspect buildings for compliance with the Vanuatu National Building Code. Assist in the preparation of workplans and ongoing workplan revisions.

Background

The Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP, also referred to as the ‘Platform’) is an Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) funded initiative. Commencing from January 2025, it will contribute to the delivery of Fiji’s national development priorities, in line with 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 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 Fiji Program Support Platform will operate until 30 September 2029.

Job description

Position Description 

Position: Infrastructure Adviser

Program: Vanuatu Australia Infrastructure for Development (VAI4D)

Location: Port Vila, Vanuatu

Duration: Upto 100 days (with the option to extend)

Required Travel: Possible travel within Vanuatu

Reports To: Lead Engineering Adviser

Direct Reports: Nil

Background

The Vanuatu Australia Infrastructure for Development (VAI4D) program is a five-year (2024-2029) investment funded by the Government of Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). VAI4D supports the Government of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) to achieve sustainable and well-maintained infrastructure and services for all, through inclusive and effective partnerships. VAI4D continues Australia’s assistance to MIPU/PWD to effectively and efficiently managed Vanuatu’s public roads network while expanding support for strengthening the capacity of MIPU to deliver infrastructure projects in civil aviation, ports and marine, and public buildings.

The VAI4D investment is focused on three end of program outcomes (EOPOs):

EOPO 1: MIPU PWD manages Vanuatu’s public roads network effectively and efficiently.

EOPO 2: MIPU (civil aviation &/or ports and marine &/or public buildings) use improved systems, processes, and technologies.

EOPO 3: GoV agencies deliver infrastructure portfolios and projects more coherently, effectively, and efficiently, in coordination with GoA partners.

VAI4D also mainstreams and spotlights cross-cutting areas, including gender equity, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), climate change & disaster risk resilience, social and environmental safeguards, localisation, and asset management through the identification, planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of projects.

Position Summary

The Infrastructure Adviser (IA) will work closely with MIPU’s Public Works Department (PWD) and with the Department of Ports and Harbor (DPH) and Civil Aviation Authority Vanuatu (CAAV) to undertake a comprehensive and thorough Domestic Ports and Airports Situation and Needs analysis focusing on infrastructure assets development and management. The IA would then recommend opportunities for support from VAI4D to drive the successful delivery of aviation and maritime infrastructure initiatives, supporting the achievement of program outcomes.

Program Background

Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is the Australian Government’s flagship infrastructure initiative for Southeast Asia. It partners with Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to foster inclusive growth through sustainable economic infrastructure (i.e. transport, energy, telecommunications, and utilities). Phase 1 of P4I will run from 2021 to December 2025, with Phase 2 currently in the design process and due to begin early 2026.

Delivered through a single cohesive team, the initiative is led by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in collaboration with EY, Adam Smith International, The Asia Foundation and Ninti One. The Program’s Head Office is in Bangkok.

P4I focuses on infrastructure prioritisation and planning, policy and regulation, procurement, and project preparation (P4I does not finance infrastructure delivery). All services address gender equality and social inclusion, disaster risk reduction and climate change issues. P4I can respond to rapid requests but aims to develop longer-term infrastructure engagement.

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change (DRRCC) team leads the advice and quality assurance of low carbon and disaster/climate resilience integration into over 100-plus energy, transport, public investment management and telecommunications activities. The team is located in Bangkok and across the region, drawing down on technical climate and disaster specialists utilised to support high-volume technical inputs into activities.

Further information about P4I is available at www.partnershipsforinfrastructure.org

The Role

The Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Adviser will report to P4I’s Director of Climate and Inclusion, leading the DRRCC team and working closely with the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) team, Delivery Partner organisations and other P4I staff to coordinate P4I’s integrated approach of DRRCC across all activities.

The role is open to all nationalities and is based in Bangkok.

The responsibilities of the position will include, but not be limited to:

• Manage 3 part-time DRRCC Advisers and a full-time Climate and Inclusion Coordinator to drive the design and implementation of the DRRCC workstream through the twin-track approach of standalone DRRCC activities and integrate DRRCC into the Program’s service delivery functions. This includes overseeing the management of a technical panel of climate and disaster specialists.
• Provide low-carbon and disaster/climate resilience advice, identifying relevant entry points for energy, transport, public investment management, and telecommunications as part of the design, implementation, and monitoring processes. 
• Work closely with activity teams, DFAT posts and, where relevant, DRRCC sub-contractors, providing quality assurance of all inputs provided.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on DRRCC and infrastructure, including officers and programs at Australian Government posts, Southeast Asian government and ASEAN officials. Coordinate with P4I’s Delivery Partner organisations to align activities with their existing programs, training and networking activities
• Support the coordination of DRRCC with other P4I teams, including Operations, Monitoring and Evaluation, Strategic Communications and Knowledge and Government to Government teams.
• Lead DRRCC reporting and tracking of work budgets that feed into Program Performance Reports.
• Lead the development of the DRRCC framework database that tracks implementation against Climate targets.
• Oversee climate finance alignment analysis of the portfolio according to DFAT requirements.
• Oversee Safeguards portfolio, including safeguards panel of technical specialists.

In undertaking all the above, the position will operate as part of P4I’s One-Team, contributing to well-coordinated planning and delivery across all members of the Delivery Partner organisations.