The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (Forum Secretariat) is the region’s premier political and economic policy organisation, with a vision of helping to create a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.
The international organisation works to achieve this vision by fostering cooperation between governments, collaboration with international agencies, and by representing the interests of its members - including directly engaging with community members in order to identify pressing needs of the region.
The work of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) is guided by the Framework for Pacific Regionalism (FPR) as:
The expression of a common sense of identity and purpose, leading progressively to the sharing of institutions, resources, and markets, with the purpose of complimenting national efforts, overcoming common constraints, and embracing sustainable and inclusive development within Pacific countries and territories and for the Pacific region as a whole.
The FPR is underpinned by the Blue Pacific narrative, endorsed by Forum Leaders in Samoa in 2017, which calls for a long-term regional commitment to act as one “Blue Continent” as the means to achieve its development aspirations. The Leaders vision was that it would serve as the platform to reinforce and inspire the region in its shared stewardship of the Pacific Ocean, and to reaffirm the connections of Pacific peoples with their natural resources, environment, culture and livelihoods.
The Forum Secretariat has undergone an organisational restructure, with a view to achieving greater consistency across the organisation in the way workforce capability is developed, and capability gaps are identified and addressed. As such, the organisation has produced a highly professional workforce that is capable of creating and delivering high quality outcomes for the people of its member countries.
The policy work of the Secretariat is divided into three broad areas - Policy, Governance & Engagement, Programmes & Initiatives - depicting the different stages of the regional public policy cycle.
The Governance & Engagement team is tasked with building strong and meaningful relationships with PIF Members and external stakeholders, and to understand their interests, as a means to advocate for, and advance the collective values and priorities of the PIF as one Blue Pacific continent
The Policy team’s focus is on developing quality high-level policy advice to member governments in consultation with members and CROP and international partners on a broad portfolio of issues, including social, economic and security related matters.
The Programmes & Initiatives team is focused on driving for outcomes of programmes and activities, including oversight of various development partner funded projects and programmes, that would contribute directly to the achievement of the prioritised KRAs from the Forum Leaders’ decisions as well as those from other Forum ministerial meetings.
The Forum Secretariat is looking for a Senior Adviser - Policy to join the team in Suva, Fiji. Reporting to the Director Policy, the position involves staff management, oversight of Ministerial and Officials level meetings, providing policy advice and guidance to Senior Management and Members either personally or via the work of consultants, and oversight of budget and other accountability and administrative systems.
The Secretariat seeks a strategic and proficient individual with an advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in strategic planning, politics, development studies, humanities or a related field with at least 8+ years of professional work experience, including 3+ years in roles requiring strong lateral management, relationship building, strategy formulation, project management, and cross-functional leadership.
To facilitate the above, the incumbent will be responsible for:
Candidates with strong analytical skills and the ability to master new materials quickly with proven ability to monitor regional and international developments and to conduct comprehensive stakeholder analysis including application of quantitative methods for analysing policy, formulating high-quality policy papers in the Pacific region or in an international environment would be an advantaged. Furthermore, applicants with previous executive leadership within Foreign Affairs preferred.
The appointment carries a competitive remuneration and benefits package including medical and life insurance. The starting salary will be in the range of SDR48,487 to SDR54,548 per annum. At the 1 October 2020 exchange rate this salary range was equivalent to FJD145,738 to FJD163,956. For non-Fijian nationals, this salary may be tax-free. To be eligible for this position, the applicant must be a national of a Forum member country*.
Click here to view the information package for the job description and remuneration details. Applicants must be willing to travel periodically via economy class.
Candidates must include in either their application or Curriculum Vitae the full contact details of three referees. Deadline for applications is at 5pm (Fiji time), 13 November 2020.
The Forum Secretariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
*Member States of the Pacific Islands Forum: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.