Program 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 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 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.
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. 

AFGP Overview:

Australia Fiji Governance Partnership (AFGP) is a four-year (2025-2029) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)-funded initiative that partners with the Government of Fiji (GoF) with the aim of supporting more effective, accountable, and inclusive governance, economic and institutional reform in Fiji. AFGP reflects the shared and interrelated policy interests of Australia and Fiji and has three strategic pillars: civil service reform (CSR), economic governance and democratic norms and values. The partnership is a continuation of the Fiji-Australia Institutional Partnerships Program (IPP) which will end in September 2025. 

AFGP is anchored in engaged partnerships and is governed by a Joint Steering Committee (JSC) that comprises DFAT and GoF representatives. In addition, the partnership hosts a bi-annual partnership forum that brings together AFGP’s multilateral, civil society, and government partners. Technical assistance and funding are delivered through AFGP’s two core funding modalities: the Performance and Innovation Fund and the Community Engagement Fund that are accessible to AFGP government and civil society partners, respectively. AFGP is implemented and managed by the Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP).

Position Summary:    

Situated within the Ministry of Civil Service (MCS), the Policy Adviser will provide technical advice to the Permanent Secretary, MCS and public sector advisory support for Ministries. 

The Policy Advisor oversees AFGP’s support to the Ministry of Civil Service (MCS) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) in priority areas identified by MCS and PSC and approved by DFAT. Support for Technical Assistance (TA) and other strategic resources are made available to MCS and PSC under the Performance and Innovation Fund (PIF) which is jointly governed by the Joint Steering Committee (JSC). This support can include actions such as enhancing civil service performance, strengthening government systems, addressing skills shortages, building capacity for Whole of Government and strengthening transparency, accountability, including improving coordination and processes.  

The Policy Advisor will also provide Technical Assistance (TA) and other support under priority initiatives such as the Functional Review and to the Fiji Leadership Institute for the Public Service (FLIPS).   

The Adviser will play a key role in facilitating the flow of information between DFAT and GoF on requests and policy dialogue, as well as providing general support to the MCS.  

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Engagement  

• Provide public sector advisory support to MCS and other areas of GoF, where appropriate.
• Facilitate shared decision making by DFAT and GoF on the strategic direction of the program within the context of the Australian Government’s development plans and GoF through the fund’s governance arrangements and regular meetings.
• Support DFAT by leading the provision of high-quality secretariat services for the program to facilitate policy dialogue between the two Governments.
• Participate and support the smooth functioning of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) and other AFGP fora including the Partner Forum and the Policy and Action Lab (PAL).
• Provision of ad-hoc briefings for DFAT, MCS and PSC, as and when needed. 

Support and Advisory 

• Support the MCS and PSC to provide consistent advice to Ministries on the interpretation and implementation of key policies.
• Identify opportunities, develop concepts and proposals for new requests according to MCS direction and provide advice on appropriate alignment to DFAT priorities.
• Facilitate policy dialogue with partner Ministries on topics such as integration of GEDSI into policies and procedures, including identifying entry points for advocacy on such issues.
• Deliver and lead on DFAT and/or the JSC approved support activities
• Develop and cultivate counterpart capacities and demonstrably reduce reliance on advisory support over time.  
• Actively mentor counterparts.  
• Support the implementation of PIF approved activities including the Functional Review and support to FLIPS. 
• Identify, coordinate, and contribute to the development of trainings, workshops, seminars, study tours, communication materials or events to demonstrate program achievements.

 Cross-cutting Themes

• With the Platform Hub Leads, mainstream cross-cutting priorities for Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Climate Change and Disaster Risk Resilience for targeted activities/projects. 

Compliance 

• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures which incorporate compliance with DFAT polices including child protection, Prevention of Sexual exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), environmental safeguarding and fraud.

Key Deliverables:

Position Deliverables / Outputs

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with DFAT, MCS leadership and staff and sector stakeholders in Fiji and the region, where relevant.
• Provide input into AFGP ’s six-monthly and annual reports, drawing on evidence from the program’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system.
• Deliver ad hoc reports as required, including progress reports against annual work plan activities highlighting lessons learned and any adaptations to the plan.
• Maintain a clear and contemporary understanding of and engagement with the governance sector in Fiji and draw upon this to provide relevant advice to GoF and DFAT.

Key Working Relationships:

Reporting to

• Directly reporting to: Permanent Secretary, MCS
• Working closely with counterpart: Director of Policy, MCS
• Indirectly reporting to: FPSP Team Leader, Governance

Other

• Public Service Commission
• Relevant GoF agencies and counter parts
• DFAT Counterparts
• Team Leader, Governance (AFGP)
• Sector leads and teams across AFGP/FPSP

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in public administration, public policy, social sciences, development studies, management or a related field.

Experience

• Strong experience in liaising at a strategic level with government and governance sector stakeholders including the provision of programmatic/policy advice to counter-part ministries/departments, senior policy makers.
• Demonstrated experience in managing governance or public sector programs (preferably more than 8 years) in developing countries preferable in Fiji and/or Pacific region in a donor funded environment.
• Experience in or understanding of public sector performance in Fiji is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in building relationships and effective stakeholder management with diverse senior level stakeholders in government ministries and donors

Knowledge, skills and personal attributes

• Highly developed relationship management skills.
• Able to cope with ambiguity and a fast-changing operating environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to engage at a senior level, build and maintain networks, provide advice, and communicate effectively (both written and verbal) on sensitive issues with a culturally and professionally diverse range of stakeholders.
• Sensitivity to other cultures and the ability to act appropriately in the context of Fijian culture and the workplace.
• Able to manage relationships, conflicts, and tensions between key stakeholders in a dynamic political environment.
• A demonstrated commitment to Child Protection and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and a robust fraud control and anti-corruption environment.

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.