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.

The Platform implements over fifty percent of Australia’s bilateral development support to Fiji across a range of sector programs in education, health, Australia Awards, disaster response, cyclone recovery, social infrastructure and technical assistance to improve public sector governance in Fiji.   

The Platform integrates cross-cutting themes, including gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), climate and disaster resilience, across sector programs. In particular, the Platform seeks to strengthen program outcomes by better addressing the needs of targeted populations including those who are often marginalised. 

Position Summary: 

The Team Leader (TL), DRP, is responsible for leading and managing the delivery of the program to achieve high quality and sustainable disaster resilience development results, according to the Design. The TL will work closely with Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management’s (MRMDDM) and Fijian CSOs to achieve strategic priorities, strengthen disaster resilience, preparedness and response capabilities, and strengthen DFAT’s bi-lateral relationship with GoF. The TL delivers on the strategic direction of the program in close coordination with DFAT, MRMDDM and stakeholders through planning and program implementation. The TL will be a member of the Platform’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), a champion for Platform cross-cutting themes and accountable for ensuring program implementation compliance with Platform/Abt Global policies and procedures across the program and alignment with relevant DFAT.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Engagement & Leadership 

• Lead and manage program implementation and the team in coordination with DFAT and Platform leadership to deliver high quality disaster resilience development results according to the DRP Design operationalised through Annual Work Plans (AWPs). 
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with the DFAT team, MRMDDM leadership and staff and disaster sector stakeholders in Fiji and the region where relevant. 
• Facilitate shared decision making by DFAT and MRMDDM on the strategic direction of the program within the context of the Australian Government’s investment plans and MRMDDM through the Program Steering Committee (PSC) and regular meetings. 
• Maintain a clear and contemporary understanding of and engagement with the disaster resilience and humanitarian sector in Fiji and draw upon this to provide relevant strategic and technical advice to DFAT and MRMDDM. 
• Support MRMDDM to deliver on Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) Strategic Priority 4.3, ‘Well-coordinated disaster risk reduction measures and humanitarian emergency response’ through three main approaches: brokering relationships and sharing information across GoF departments and agencies; coordinating disaster-related activities delivered through the Fiji Education, Health, Cyclone Recovery and Institutional Partnership Programs; and supporting Australia’s disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. 
• Support DFAT by leading the provision of high-quality secretariat services for the PSC as the key governance mechanism for the program between the two Governments. 
• Provide ad-hoc briefings for DFAT and MRMDDM when requested and represent the program at high-level meetings with DFAT, MRMDDM and other sector stakeholders. 

Management, Planning, Implementation & Reporting 

• Lead the development of AWPs based on consultation, collaboration and engagement with DFAT and MRMDDM according to the DRP Design. 
• Oversee the planning and delivery of activities and projects to deliver AWPs. 
• Lead the preparation of high-quality six-month and annual reports for the program as part of Platform reports to DFAT, and ad-hoc reporting as required. 
• Oversee the program’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework to produce credible evidence for reporting of progress towards outcomes and to inform strategic and operational decision‐making for the program (within the Platform’s overarching MEL framework). 
• Lead the team to deliver a high-performing program, and when required, lead the recruitment of program staff and technical advisers.
• Oversight program budgeting and forecasting and closely monitor expenditure against budgets and forecasts in close coordination with the Platform’s Finance Manager and Operations Lead.
• Oversight the planning and delivery of communications products for DFAT and public diplomacy events in close collaboration with  the Platform Management Unit (PMU) communications team to promote the achievements of the program to increase Australian Government visibility. 
• Oversight of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) mainstreaming in program activities with technical support from the Platform GEDSI Team and tracking GEDSI performance using the Program GEDSI Tracker and policy markers. 
• Oversight the planning and development with support from the Platform communications team of a communications products and public diplomacy events to provided effective visibility for the program for the Australian Government, GoF and the public that promote the achievements of the program as a key partner in development in Fiji’s disaster sector, thereby increasing support for Australian Aid. 
• Oversight of procurement processes for the program to ensure these comply with Platform/Abt Global policies and procedures and DFAT requirements, and ensure modalities are fit for purpose and that partners and sub-contractors meet milestones in close coordination with the PMU. 

Team Capacity Building and Performance Management 

• Build the capacity of the team through on-the-job mentoring and coaching, professional development where available, and pro-active and effective staff performance feedback and management. 

Cross-Cutting Themes 

• Champion and mainstream the Platform’s cross-cutting priorities for GEDSI, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Resilience for targeted DRP activities/projects. 

Compliance 

• Ensure program activities and operations are implemented in compliance with Abt Global and the Platform’s policies and procedures which incorporate compliance with DFAT polices including Child Protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), environmental safeguarding and fraud. 

Platform ‘Corporate’ Responsibilities 

• Perform as a member of the Platform’s SLT and contribute to the implementation and success of the Platform’s integrated delivery model by ensuring highly effective coordination and collaboration, and proactive risk management. 
• Work to support and ensure Platform programs realise the value-add of the Platform model for cross program coordination, collaboration and efficient use of resources. 
• Ensure work is high quality and conforms to Platform style guidelines to supporting the development and maintenance of a cohesive and coherent business offering to DFAT, stakeholders and partners for the program as part of the Platform. 

Health Safety & Security 

• Oversight and ensure Health Safety & Security for DRP program staff in coordination with Platform SLT.

General

• Any other duties requested by the Platform Leader.

Key Deliverables: 

• Delivery of activities according to the DRP Annual Work Plans to achieve program Outcomes as established by the DRP Design (and interim updates of the AWP when needed). 
• Effective DFAT and stakeholder relationship management. 
• Provision of effective Secretariat support to the PSC. 
• Effective human resourcing planning and management to ensure the program is appropriately structured and resourced. 
• Effective program budget planning and management. 
• Advocate for DFAT’s cross-cutting themes including GEDSI and Climate Resilience. 
• Mainstream GEDSI in program activities. 
• Six-monthly and Annual Progress Reports, drawing on evidence from the program’s MEL system, and other ad-hoc reporting and briefings for DFAT as required.
• Program and sector policy analysis and advice when required.
• Maintain effective working relationships with MRMDDM leadership, the DFAT team led by the Development Counsellor and sector stakeholders.

Senior Leadership Team Deliverables:

• High level of responsiveness to DFAT issues and requests measured by Program receiving a Partner Performance Rating of 5 or above.
• Quality reporting, milestones, deliverables and KPIs are submitted on time and meet internal (Abt) and external (DFAT) requirements. 
• Program is delivered on time and within budget and value for money principles drive all Program resourcing decisions.
• Build and maintain open, productive and outcome-oriented relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including DFAT. 
• Innovative approaches to the delivery of aid are actively pursed and incorporated into the delivery and design of the Program.

Key Working Relationships:

Reporting to

• Platform Leader

Other

• DFAT team at the Australian High Commission (AHC) 
• MRMDDM, including the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO)
• Government of Fiji (GoF) counterpart Ministry Permanent Secretary
• Civil Society Organisations (CSOs); and 
• Platform’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), 
• Platform Management Unit (PMU) and other sector programs managed by the Platform.

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications 

• Masters level qualification or equivalent related to Disaster Management, Humanitarian response, or other relevant field or equivalent professional experience.

Experience

• Demonstrated senior leadership in planning and managing disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response programs in developing countries – preferably a minimum of 10 years. 
• Field experience in the Pacific context is highly desirable. 
• Proven experience in senior program management, including planning and implementation for results (outputs and outcomes), financial management, reporting and work planning. 
• Strong experience in effective stakeholder relationship management. 
• Proven experience leading of teams of national and international staff of diverse backgrounds. 
• Strong experience in liaising at a strategic level with government and disaster resilience sector stakeholders including the provision of programmatic/policy advice to counter-part ministries/departments, senior policy makers. 
• Effective experience in program MEL ideally according to DFAT’s MEL requirements. 
• Experience in mainstreaming cross-cutting themes including GEDSI, civil society engagement and climate change/disaster risk reduction in program implementation. 

Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated ability to develop and share a vision and deliver strategic approach. 
• 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. 
• Ability to work according to agreed principles and model Abt Global and Platform’s Values. 
• Sensitivity to other cultures and the ability to act appropriately in the context of Fiji and a diverse workplace. 
• Strong and demonstrable work ethic and a leader who leads by example. 
• 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.

About the Team
Abt is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation & Energy. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3000 staff in over 50 countries.