Social Infrastructure Adviser Fiji Social Infrastructure Program

Job description

**Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)**



+ _Contract is a 1+1 year contract, subject to performance and available funding_

+ _Open to both international and national applicants_

+ _Suva, Fiji with travel to Divisions_



**FPSP 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.



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 sectoral programs.

In particular, the Platform seeks to strengthen program outcomes by better addressing the needs of targeted beneficiaries including those who are often marginalised.



**Infrastructure Programs Overview:**



The Australian Government is currently delivering three social infrastructure programs (Infrastructure Programs) in Fiji:



+ The **Cyclone Recovery Program** will deliver infrastructure upgrades at Taveuni and Kadavu hospitals.

The program will conclude 31 December 2025.

+ The **Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital Redevelopment Master Plan** will deliver a comprehensive masterplan for a new national referral hospital.

+ **Fiji Social Infrastructure Program (FSIP)** will support upgrades to school infrastructure, commencing with priority schools identified through an audit of Suva-Nausori school infrastructure; and provide technical assistance to the Ministries of Education and Health to uplift their systems, process and capacity for maintenance and upgrades over the medium term.



The Social Infrastructure team will also manage the Platform’s Infrastructure flexible fund.

These programs will be delivered through the Platform, and compliment other infrastructure investments that are delivered through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).



**Background:**



The Vuvale Partnership between Australia and Fiji, along with the Australia-Fiji Development Partnership Plan 2024–2028, outlines priority outcomes across five pillars of support.

These include a stronger emphasis on sustainable human development and infrastructure development.



Aligned with these priorities, Australia supports targeted multi-year health and education sector programs focused on policy and systems strengthening.

Complementing these efforts are three major social infrastructure initiatives:



+ The Cyclone Recovery Program (CRP)

+ The Fiji Social Infrastructure Program (FSIP)

+ The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital Redevelopment Project



CRP and FSIP deliver infrastructure upgrades to schools and hospitals, through the Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP), managed by Abt Associates.

In recognition that infrastructure is being delivered outside of Government systems, FSIP also includes a capacity-building component for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and the Ministry of Education (MoE), aimed at strengthening the capacity of their asset management units to deliver maintenance and capital works.



The CWM Hospital Redevelopment Project is supporting the planning process for a new or significantly refurbished national hospital for Fiji and the broader Pacific region.

This is in recognition that the existing CWM Hospital is no longer fit for purpose and cannot meet the tertiary healthcare demands of Fiji and the broader Pacific region.

While Australia is supporting the planning phase, the GoF - through the Ministry of Finance (MoF), is leading negotiations with multilateral development partners to secure financing.



Given MoF’s central role in social sector planning, budgeting, and financial oversight, and its anticipated leadership in major health infrastructure projects, the Ministry has requested the placement of a Social Infrastructure Adviser within its Strategic Planning Office (SPO).



Strategic Planning Office Overview



The SPO is responsible for:



+ formulating national and sectoral policies for sustainable development

+ ensuring public resources are directed to priority areas

+ coordinating Fiji’s national development agenda

+ enhancing policy and project planning across government

+ overseeing large scale public investment projects

+ strengthening workforce planning and economic intelligence; and

+ improving public investment appraisal, monitoring, and evaluation.



**Position Summary:**



The **Social Infrastructure Adviser** will support MoF with regular consultations with MHMS and MoE for three core functions:



1.

**Strengthen MoF’s role** in planning, budgeting, delivery, and coordination of health and education infrastructure and maintenance

2.

**Support MoF’s oversight** of major infrastructure projects, including the CWM Hospital Redevelopment Project and other health and education sector projects

3.

**Enhance institutional capability** across MoF, MoE, MoHMS and the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services (MoPWTMS) to effectively plan, budget, and deliver education and health infrastructure and maintenance projects/works.



**Key Responsibilities:**



The Adviser will:



+ Provide strategic and technical advice to strengthen MoF’s capacity in infrastructure planning, budgeting, and execution of Fiji’s health and education projects

+ Support MoF’s leadership role in major infrastructure initiatives, including the CWM Hospital Redevelopment Project and other Government investments in the health and education sectors, by:

+ Advising on long-term financing, procurement models and delivery frameworks.

+ Working with partners to identify and secure financing for major social sector projects.

+ Strengthening coordination and delivery systems for GoF social infrastructure upgrades and maintenance programs (education and health).

+ Providing targeted support to MoF in its infrastructure delivery and procurement functions.

+ Offering intermittent technical support to line ministries, including MoPWTMS, MoE, and MoHMS.

+ Identifying and helping to address systemic bottlenecks in infrastructure delivery, systems, and processes, and supporting the implementation of improvement recommendations within MoE and MoHMS.

+ Ensure alignment of infrastructure priorities with Fiji’s national development agenda and strategic plans.

+ Contribute to national planning documents and policy frameworks related to social infrastructure development.

+ Build institutional capacity within MoF through on-the-job mentoring, structured learning and knowledge transfer.

+ Facilitate peer learning and collaboration across relevant ministries and stakeholders to enhance whole-of-government coordination.

+ Engage and liaise with the Australian Government and other development partners to inform planning, coordination, and programming of infrastructure investments.



**Key Deliverables:**



+ Ongoing provision of high-quality technical and policy advice to MoF, MoE and MoHMS.

Lead consultations with line ministries, implementing agencies, and development partners

+ Build staff capacity through mentoring and skills development

+ Prepare briefings, speeches, and policy notes for the SPO

+ Review, make recommendations and help implement changes to existing systems and processes across ministries to improve health and education infrastructure and maintenance projects/works.

+ Develop a comprehensive workplan within the first quarter, updating the proposed roles, responsibilities, and support strategies for infrastructure delivery

+ Submit quarterly progress reports to MoF leadership and the FPSP, detailing achievements, risks, challenges, and recommendations

+ Provide a final report to MoF and the FPSP summarising achievements and contributions



**Key Working Relationships:**



+ The adviser will be based in MoF and directly report to the Permanent Secretary for Finance through the Head of the SPO.

+ They are also expected to maintain regular engagement with the Infrastructure Team Leader of the FPSP.

+ Reporting arrangements may be refined following the establishment of the position, based on operational need, and in consultation with MoF and the Australian High Commission



**Selection Criteria:**



+ Tertiary qualifications in project management/planning, international development, or related field

+ Minimum 10 years’ experience in infrastructure planning, project implementation, budgeting and delivery

+ Demonstrated experience working with government agencies and/or development partners to deliver results, preferably in social infrastructure

+ Excellent knowledge and understanding of Fiji’s health and education systems, including infrastructure challenges

+ Demonstrated communication, negotiation, diplomacy and inter-personal skills in working with a diverse range of partners, including Ministers, senior government officials, international organisations and development partners

+ Demonstrated cultural competency, including the ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

+ Experience working in Fiji or the Pacific is highly desirable.



**How to Apply:**



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

 



**#LI-AUSBRIT #LI-JR1**



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.



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.

Required Skill Profession

Other General