About the Program

Aviation is an important enabler of economic activity and human development in the Pacific. It connects Pacific countries to the world and each other, facilitating tourism, trade, labour mobility and access to health and education services. Aviation either directly or indirectly enables over one-third of the economy in Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu. However, aviation in the Pacific is disadvantaged by the small size of Pacific Island countries and their geographical remoteness, both from within each country, the region, and from international hubs.

The strategic intent for Australia – Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) is to improve the Pacific aviation sectors’ efficiency and effectiveness in organisational decision-making, governance, safety and reliability, and coordination to enable aviation to better contribute to sustainable development outcomes. It is recognised that the small populations, lack of economic diversification and geographic remoteness of the Pacific constrains its growth and international competitiveness. However, aviation’s intersection with tourism, trade, labour mobility, and access to critical services such as healthcare and education can enable Pacific growth and prosperity.

P4A will be delivered through three key outcome areas, including (but not limited to):

1. A stronger enabling environment, including improved management, regulations, policies, and plans that strengthen the Pacific aviation sector and reform unsustainable practices.
2. Improved Safety, Quality and Reliability through strengthened technical capability and more common approaches that improve aviation operations' safety, quality, and reliability.
3. Greater coordination, cooperation, and connectivity are needed to maintain connectivity between Pacific Island countries and strengthen regional and bilateral coordination and cooperation in regulatory and operational areas.

P4A will also mainstream cross-cutting sectors to ensure outcomes strengthen child protection and safeguarding, climate change resilience and adaptation, support locally led leadership and improve Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) outcomes.

P4A is currently a five-year program directed by DFAT and implemented by Adam Smith International.

Duties & Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Team Leader include, but are not limited to:  

Strategic Leadership:  

• Lead the implementation of P4A's overall vision, strategic direction, and management and ensure it achieves its End-of-Program Outcomes (EOPOs).
• Lead and build a strong and motivated P4A team, ensuring effective capacity-building, mentoring and performance management and promoting knowledge sharing within the team.
• Work closely with and further enable and support existing Aviation Policy Advisers, Aviation Technical Advisers and other staff already leading P4A activities in the Pacific.
• Build strategic partnerships with DFAT, PICs government agencies, private sector, and regional organisations to support program objectives.
• Where directed, represent P4A at meetings and workshops and support public diplomacy activities.

Technical Support & Oversight: 

• Support relevant Technical Advisory Lead on enabling technical support required through P4A or the whole of the Australian Government.
• Lead the development and implementation of a high-quality integrated P4A monitoring and evaluation framework and system according to DFAT MEL Standards, integrating the system with operational and finance systems wherever possible.
• Ensure that all data and technical systems meet or exceed Australian standards.
• Advocate for and provide strong leadership on gender equity, disability, and social inclusion, ensuring these are mainstreamed throughout the program and MEL system and compliant with DFAT’s GEDSI policies.
• Where agreed and directed, support PICs, government agencies, and other stakeholders to mainstream climate change and resilience approaches across their operations.
• With guidance and direction from DFAT, lead the undertaking of and completion of initial Country Engagement Strategies (CES) and a Regional Engagement Strategy (RES).
• Collaborate with DFAT on communications to support information needs, including briefs on sector issues, policy and program achievements and ensure Program visibility and strategic fit are maintained.
• Respond to requests from DFAT, program stakeholders, and partners for other technical/sector support. 

Program and Operational Management

• Offer technical expertise to enhance program delivery, including operational processes, asset management, and procurement.
• Monitor and manage the changing policy and operational environment and provide proactive advice and management to respond appropriately.
• Manage identifying all major risks (fraud, security, workplace health and safety), safeguarding (including child protection and environmental issues) and programmatic risks while leading team development, updating and implementing an effective risk and safeguard management strategy. 
• Ensure P4A and its activities deliver services on budget and demonstrate value for money through effective and efficient use of resources.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of P4A financial and operational systems (including approving expenditure, human resources, logistics, procurement and program facilitation) and ensuring they are used in accordance with DFAT requirements, Australian Government legislation, local regulations and program procedures.

Key Deliverables

Inception Phase Workplan & Budget, Way of Working Plan, Strategic Communications Strategy, Country Engagement Strategies, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion Strategy, Pacific Skills and Education Strategy, Disaster Preparedness and Response, Risk Framework and Management Plan, Program Implementation Plan, Inception Report, Six Monthly Reports, Annual Reports, Annual Plans, Program Completion Report

Key Relationships

• Directly reporting to the DFAT Executive Director.
• Works with and receives strategic guidance from DFAT and specified stakeholders.
• Represent P4A at various internal and external meetings, presenting plans, budgets and reports as needed.
• Lead direct reports - Communications, Performance & Inclusion Lead, Operations Lead and Technical Advisory Lead.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely delivery of high-quality contract outputs. 
• Effective delivery of results as agreed in the program plans.
• Identify opportunities for the program and assess and manage risk.
• Responsiveness to requests from DFAT and PICs government counterparts throughout the life of the program.   
• Strong Partner Performance Assessments and Adviser Performance Assessments.
• Exceptional relationships with DFAT, Pacific governments, stakeholders and other counterparts evidenced by positive feedback.

Job Requirements

Optimal Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrated Experience developing and leading high-performing teams.
• 15+ years of professional experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in management and team leadership of large, complex, multi-country aid programs, preferably in the Pacific.
• Exceptional written communication skills, with demonstrated experience delivering high-quality outputs.
• Demonstrated high-level organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities.
• Experience working with donor-funded programs.
• Understanding of international and multilateral donor systems and their requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in safeguards assessment and management, including PSEAH, child protection, climate and disaster risk reduction and environmental safeguards.
• Knowledge of key cross-cutting issues and their application in development programs, particularly GEDSI and climate change. 
• Proven experience in contributing to strategic direction and providing management to multi-disciplinary teams in a cross-cultural context. 
• Exceptional interpersonal and cross-cultural skills and the ability to develop highly productive relationships within a large team and across key stakeholders.
• Successful change management and problem-solving skills and the capacity to resolve conflict.
• Relevant qualifications in any relevant field including, but not limited to, social science, political science, M&E or international development (or demonstrated relevant equal skills) or relevant work experience.