This opportunity closed on 04 November 2024

Abt Global

Team Leader - Fiji Australia Education Program

Posted
14 October 2024 04:04pm
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Regions
Pacific
Sectors
Education
Summary

Long Term Role – commencing January 2025, 3-year contract with possible 2-year extension. Based in Suva, Fiji.

Australia Fiji Education Program Overview:

TThe 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.

The Australian Government is supporting Fiji’s education sector through the Australia Fiji Education Program (AFEP, the Program) working with the Ministry of Education (MoE).

The objective of the AFEP is “to work with the Government of Fiji under the Vuvale Partnership to catalyse quality education delivery for all Fijian children”.

The changes expected by the end of the five-year program are:

  • EOPO 1: Schools, particularly trial schools, have improved student literacy and numeracy outcomes, supported by enabling policies, plans and data from the Ministry of Education.
  • EOPO 2: Heads of schools and teachers, supported by enabling policies and data from the Ministry of Education, provide a safe, resilient and inclusive learning environment for all students, particularly in trial schools.

Four intermediate outcomes will provide pathways to meet these end of program outcomes in priority areas, like implementation of the revised literacy and numeracy curriculum in primary and secondary schools, professional development interventions, analysis and improvement of the Fiji Education Management Information System (FEMIS), as well as GEDSI and student wellbeing. 

The funding for the program is approximately AUD45million over 9 years (5 years, with an option to extend for a further 4 years) and delivered through a range of activities to achieve the program’s objectives. Implementation modalities include technical advice, procurement of technical services and goods, minor works and infrastructure upgrades, capacity building and training support, support to Ministry led initiatives and innovations, and grants to civil society organisations (CSOs).

Description

Position Summary:

The Team Leader (TL) is responsible for leading and managing the delivery of the program to achieve high quality and sustainable results to support MoE’s strategic priorities and DFAT’s bi- lateral relationship with the GoF.

This requires the TL to maintain highly effective working relationships with MoE leadership, and the DFAT team led by the Human Development Counsellor. The TL sets the strategic direction of the program in close collaboration with DFAT and MoE and is responsible for delivering AFEP through the full program life cycle.

The TL will be a member of the Platform Management Group (MG) and Platform Performance Group (PPG) and will champion meaningful integration of cross-cutting themes such as GEDSI and climate and disaster resilience. The TL is accountable for ensuring compliance with DFAT and Platform organisational and operational policies and procedures across the program.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Engagement & Leadership

  • Lead and manage the program and team in coordination with Platform leadership to deliver high quality development results.
  • Maintain a clear and contemporary understanding of and engagement with the education sector context in Fiji (policy, political and donor/investment landscape) and draw upon this to provide relevant advice to DFAT, MoE and Platform leadership.
  • Facilitate and support shared decision making by the MoE and DFAT on the strategic direction of the program within the context of the Australian Government’s investment plans and priorities, particularly Australia’s International Development Policy (2023).
  • Ensure alignment of program objectives and activities to the MoE’s strategic plan, evolving priorities and related GoF National Development Plan objectives and policy commitments.
  • Lead the provision of regular (quarterly, and as required) presentations to MoE - in collaboration with DFAT – to update the Ministry on program implementation progress, results, challenges, risks and future opportunities.

Management, Planning, Implementation & Reporting

  • Lead the development of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) based on effective and close engagement with MoE and DFAT to ensure alignment with strategic priorities, appropriate ownership and mutual accountability.
  • Oversee and contribute to the development of detailed designs for activities (the ‘business case’) that contribute to the program’s intended outcomes and meet quality standards.
  • Lead the preparation of high-quality six-monthly and annual progress reports for the program as part of Platform reports, and other ad-hoc reporting as required.
  • Oversee the program’s MEL system, ensuring it produces credible evidence for reporting and to inform strategic and operational decision‐making for the program – within the Platform’s overarching MEL system.
  • Act as the hiring manager for the recruitment of program staff, technical advisers and other human resources according to AWP resourcing plans.
  • Deliver effective performance management of program staff and provide oversight of performance management by staff managers in the program.
  • Provide oversight of program budgeting and forecasting and closely monitor expenditure in coordination with Education operations team and the Platform Finance Manager.
  • Provide oversight of procurement processes for the program to ensure these comply with Platform policies and procedures and DFAT requirements. Ensure modalities are fit for purpose and that partners and sub-contractors meet milestones, in close coordination with the PMU.
  • Act as key member of the Platform’s PPG and MG as key decision-making and governance forums and contribute to the success of the Platform’s integrated delivery model by ensuring highly effective coordination and collaboration.
  • Champion, and be accountable for, the integration of the Platform’s cross cutting priorities of GEDSI, Civil Society Engagement, Climate and Disaster Resilience, and Emergency Preparedness and Response across all aspects of the program’s activities and operations.
  • With the PMU, contribute to the planning and delivery of public diplomacy activities that promote the achievements of the program and the development cooperation values of the Australian government as a key partner in development in Fiji’s education sector.

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications

  • Master level qualification or equivalent professional experience related to Education, International Development, Management or Social Sciences.

Experience

  • Strong and credible skills and experience in education system strengthening, and the ability to use these to guide strategic planning and engagement with DFAT and the GoF.
  • Demonstrated experience and success in senior management of education programs in developing countries, preferably in the Asia-Pacific region, and/or in a donor funded environment.
  • Proven experience in senior program management, including planning and implementation for results including financial management, reporting and work planning.
  • Proven experience in the leadership of teams (team building, motivation, capacity building and performance management) of national and international staff of diverse backgrounds and varying competencies.
  • Strong experience in use of MEL to drive strong performance, consistent with DFAT’s Aid Strategy M&E requirements.
  • Relevant experience in public sector management, including liaising at a strategic level with governments and other donors, providing advice to counter-part ministries/departments/senior policy makers and in policy analysis and development.
  • Experience in networking and maintaining relationships across a range of program and sectoral stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated experience in mainstreaming cross-cutting themes including GEDSI, civil society engagement and/or climate and disaster resilience, and emergency preparedness and response in program implementation.
  • Experience delivering on major reforms in a education sector program (desirable).

Personal Attributes

  • Demonstrated ability to develop and share a vision and deliver strategic approach.
  • Sensitivity to other cultures and the ability to act appropriately in the context of Fijian culture and the workplace, and foster a positive, collaborative team culture.
  • Ability to work according to agreed principles and model the Platform’s principles including transparency, accountability, fairness and collaboration.
  • 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.
  • An effective leader who is committed to coaching and mentoring others and leads by example.
  • Able to manage relationships, conflicts and tensions between key stakeholders under a context that is potential vulnerable to political agendas.
  • 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.
  • Able to cope with ambiguity and a fast-changing operating environment.

How to apply:

Applications close on 4 November 2024 at midday. 

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

About Abt:

Abt Global 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, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social 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 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtglobal.com.

Commitment to Equity:

Abt Global values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply for this position.

Commitment to Safeguarding:

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.