This opportunity closed on 21 November 2024

Abt Global

Coordination Officer, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) - Institutional Partnerships Program

Posted
6 November 2024 05:11pm
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Regions
Pacific
Sectors
Effective Governance
Summary
  • Long Term Role – January 2025, 9 months with an option for extension, subject to program extension

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.

IPEF Overview

Fiji is the only Pacific Island member in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), representing a significant step in integrating the Pacific’s second largest economy into our region’s economic architecture. Australia and Fiji have both signed the four IPEF agreements that have been substantially concluded by IPEF Ministers: the IPEF Supply Chain, Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and Overarching Agreements. The IPEF Trade Agreement is still under negotiation. The Fijian Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MTCMSMEC) is Fiji’s coordinating agency on IPEF, led by its International Trade team, which also has responsibility for domestic and international trade initiatives, including PACER Plus and WTO commitments.

Following intensive IPEF negotiations over 2021-2023, MTCMSMEC now needs to focus on its other domestic and international responsibilities. Line ministries face similar challenges. Additional support is needed for MTCMSMEC to coordinate and report on IPEF commitments across Government of Fiji including providing support for line ministries to guide legislative drafting and technical readiness assessments.

Under Australia’s IPEF Fund for Technical Assistance and Economic Cooperation (IFTAEC), Australia is providing tailored support for Fiji to implement its IPEF commitments, through the establishment of a Fiji IPEF Implementation Unit within the MTCMSMEC. The Implementation Unit will consist of an embedded IPEF Program Manager and IPEF Coordination Officer, who will have responsibility for developing targeted capacity building and technical assistance projects for MTCMSMEC and other Fijian line agencies with IPEF responsibilities, and providing administrative, coordination and logistical support to free MTCMSMEC officials to focus on IPEF engagement.   

Description

Position Summary

The Coordination Officer will provide policy and administration support to the Ministry’s Trade team to communicate, coordinate and report on implementation of Fiji’s IPEF commitments across relevant Ministries and agencies

Key Responsibilities

The Coordination Officer will be responsible for, but not limited to the following: 

  • Supporting administration for IPEF engagements.
  • Assisting with stakeholder coordination and engagement across Government of Fiji (GoF) and relevant agencies.
  • Providing IPEF briefings to senior Fijian officials.
  • Providing regular reports to relevant DFAT officials on progress of required IPEF outputs.
  • Additional duties as required.

Key Outcomes

TThe IPEF Coordination Officer will support the following outcomes:

  • GoF stakeholders have a comprehensive understanding of IPEF commitments and their respective roles in implementation 
  • GoF has enhanced capacity to translate IPEF commitments into its domestic law, implementation of new laws, engage industry and participate in the uptake of international standards, and
  • Australia and Fiji are cooperating effectively on IPEF standards and frameworks. 

Key Working Relationships:

  • Reports to the Program Manager, IPEF  on the delivery and quality of agreed outputs.
  • Accountable to the IPEF Coordination and Strategy Section (ISC), DFAT for delivery of IPEF outcomes and AHC Suva. 
  • Accountable to the Platform’s Program Manager/JECSR Adviser for employment administration.

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications

  • Undergraduate degree in law, economics, business, public policy or a related field.

Experience

  • A minimum of 2 years of experience working in a policy or program role. 
  • Previous experience working in the public sector is desirable. 

Knowledge

  • A sound (or the capacity to quickly acquire) understanding of Fiji’s trade policy.
  • The ability to handle a heavy workload, pay attention to detail, complete work accurately and according to strict timelines. 
  • Demonstrated conceptual thinking and problem-solving ability.
  • Strong presentation skills.
  • Good ICT skills / competent in the use of Word, Excel, and Power Point.

Personal Attributes

  • Excellent communication (written and oral) and stakeholder management skills.
  • Delivering results with minimal direction and meeting GoF expectations.
  • Strong facilitation skills in working with multiple stakeholders.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the proven ability to quickly build and maintain strong relationships with people from varying backgrounds, levels and experience.
  • Willingness and enthusiasm to act as a champion for gender equality, disability and social inclusion and safeguarding including child protection and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment.
  • Extensive development and program management experience, including undertaking gap assessments, project design, monitoring and evaluation, budget management and knowledge of Australian Official Development Assistance (ODA) policies and programming requirements.
  • Experience working on regional economic integration in similar institutions, such as PACER Plus, IEPA, AANZFTA, CPTPP and APEC, would be desirable, but not mandatory.   
  • Awareness of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), including individual Agreements, or the ability to master information rapidly.
  • Ability to deliver high quality and strategic advice on trade and economic policies. 
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, in particular the ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated strong initiative, good judgement and inclusive style of management.
  • Strong skills in research, writing and analysis.

How to Apply

Applications close at midday on 21 November 2024.

Please apply online by submitting a cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of this role and up-to-date comprehensive CV.