The Role

A highly qualified and experienced Director is required to lead the Pacific Fusion Centre (Centre) and deliver its objectives, consistent with the Director’s obligations as set out in the Pacific Islands Forum endorsed  Charter which outlines how the Centre will be governed.

It will be a fixed-term opportunity based in Port Vila for an initial term of 16-months with a possible extension of up to 20-months. 

The ideal candidate will have a background in regional security, strategic assessments, intelligence, or national security policy. They must also have outstanding regional networking, stakeholder management, representation, and advocacy skills. In accordance with the Charter, the Director will be from a Forum Island Country and accountable to the Forum Subcommittee on Regional Security (FSRS).

The Director will embed the Centre’s reputation for excellence and collaboration, building effective working partnerships across the Pacific security community, including with all government national security agencies in Pacific island countries as a priority, and with relevant regional organisations as appropriate.

The Director will have demonstrated strategic leadership and management skills to set the Centre’s policy direction, deliver quality programs and foster a high-performance culture within a multi-disciplinary team.  The Director will have a clear-eyed view of the Pacific region’s security interests, including the Boe Declaration priorities and new and emerging security threats.

Key objectives:

• Lead the Pacific Fusion Centre as the region’s centre of excellence and best practice in open-source strategic security analysis and assessment
• Shape the strategic direction of the Centre and implement work programs that deliver outcomes to advance Pacific Leaders’ regional security priorities 
• Strategic leadership and management skills to set the Centre’s policy direction and deliver quality programs 
• Foster a high-performance culture within a multi-disciplinary team
• Build effective partnerships with Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member countries and relevant regional organisations 
• Undertake strategic planning to deliver policy outcomes for the Centre, including in close coordination with the PIF Membership through the FSRS
• Oversee the effective management and allocation of Centre resources, including in close coordination with the Australian Government and requirements of the Australian Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and other relevant legislation.

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications

• A relevant undergraduate degree in political sciences, law, international relations, social sciences, finance, business administration, management or related area.
• A postgraduate degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Security, International Development, Public Sector Management or similar field of study is highly desirable

Skills, experience, knowledge

• A minimum of eight years’ experience in senior public sector management, or international or regional organisation management.
• Proven experience of involvement in policy processes, planning, and/or in driving policy changes.

Leadership 

• Senior leadership experience, preferably in a relevant Pacific government agency, regional agency or organisation.
• Demonstrated networking and stakeholder management skills, including liaison with Ministers, senior government officials, business leaders and academia.
• Demonstrated ability to shape strategic direction and achieve results.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve using sound judgement while managing risks.
• Demonstrated management of substantial resources, including financial and people. 
• A commitment to diversity, innovation and continuous improvement.
• A commitment to the highest ethical standards and integrity.

Technical Expertise

• Demonstrated understanding of the regional political landscape, and opportunities and challenges for the Pacific region.
• Demonstrated understanding of international legal frameworks, regional architecture, and regional engagement processes.
• Experience managing or overseeing the delivery of practical training programs, particularly within a Pacific context.

Communication and Advocacy

• Demonstrated skills in negotiation, advocacy and representation. An ability to communicate convincingly with influence.
• Outstanding inter-personal, cross-cultural communication and team leadership skills
• Displays personal resilience and maintains integrity.

The Benefits: 

• Remuneration is a negotiable annual contract fee
• Mobility and transfer allowances
• Flights, medicals, and insurance
• Pre-departure briefing and in-country orientation

For more Information and to apply for the Position:

More information on the role can be obtained by emailing matthew.smee@hudson.com

Hudson Executive recruitment and DFAT operates under equal employment opportunity principles and laws.  We encourage appropriately qualified and experienced people to apply regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, physical ability or beliefs. 

Applications will only be accepted via email.  For more detailed information on the position please email matthew.smee@hudson.com

Applications close COB 10 December 2024 AEDT. No late applications will be accepted.