Abt Associates

Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)

• Locally Engaged Role - commencing July 2025 to July 2027 with possibility of 2-year extension
• Based in Suva, Fiji

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.

AFHP Overview:

The Fiji Program Support Platform (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.

The Australian Government is supporting Fiji’s health sector through the Australia Fiji Health Program (AFHP, the Program) working with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

The program’s high-level End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) are:

• Improved systems are used by MHMS and health workers for evidence-based planning and resource allocation (workforce and budget), clinical care, digital health and medical supply chains; and
• Targeted healthcare facilities equitably deliver improved primary health services, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and non-communicable disease (NCD) services.

The funding for the program is approximately AUD 45million over 9 years (5 years, with an option to extend a further 4 years) and delivered through a range of activities (interventions) to achieve the program’s objectives where 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).

AFHP is designed to support the MHMS achieve the goals and objectives in its Strategic Plan and Annual Operational Plans, and AFHP’s workplans are targeted to support specific components of the Ministry’s plans.

Recent natural disasters such as cyclones, and public health emergencies in Fiji including COVID-19 have highlighted major challenges for pandemic preparedness and response during epidemics and other health emergencies. In this context, around 10% of program funding will be allocated for MHMS to assign to emerging needs and priorities as they arise. Funding may be allocated toward preparedness and responses to public health emergencies, or related opportunities for reform and innovation.

Position Summary:

The Operations Coordinator will provide operations support to the implementation of key AFHP and Infrastructure projects and activities. Under the direction of the Senior Program Manager (Health) and TL Infrastructure, this position will lead the coordination of procurement activities for both Health and Infrastructure program and provide a broad range of program support functions, such as contracting, financial management, office coordination (in conjunction with the Platform Management Unit), workshop planning and coordination, and safeguards support to the health and Infrastructure team (particularly on child protection and fraud compliance).

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement for AFHP & FSIP (in close collaboration with the Platform Management Procurement and Contracts Team):

• Lead simple and complex procurements for goods, logistics and works (under the direction of the Senior Program Manager Health and TL Infrastructure)
• Lead simple and complex procurement for goods and supporting procurements for services for AFHP & FSIP in accordance with Platform processes and procedures.
• Ensure that procurement policies and procedures are followed (e.g., correct procurement method to be used), including identifying and addressing any areas for improvement or risks and raising with the TL Infrastructure and Senior Program Manager Health.
• Manage inventories and maintaining accurate purchase and pricing records.
• Maintain and updating supplier information, such as delivery times, product ranges, and contact details. This includes keeping an updated Platform preferred supplier list.
• Maintain good supplier and counterpart relations and negotiate contracts.
• Research and evaluate prospective suppliers to broaden the supplier network and providing recommendations to the Senior Program Support Manager – Health.
• Complete other procurement related requests as required under tight timeframes.

Minor works activities at hospitals and health facilities:

• Support AFHP & FSIP’s minor works activities at identified health facilities.
• Coordinate with hospital/divisional and MHMS Asset Management Units and other Ministries (such as the Ministry for Public Works) as required.
• Manage and highlight risks associated with contractor compliance and delivery of works, fraud, and patient and staff safety.

Logistics support activities:

• Lead AFHP & FSIP’s support for logistics activities for high level conferences, workshops and other activities.
• Organise travel logistics for staff and participants.

GEDSI and safeguarding compliance:

• Support the integration of gender equality, disability inclusion and social inclusion (GEDSI) through all stages of design and implementation for relevant activities, drawing on specialist inputs from the Platform GEDSI team.
• Act as a focal point for child protection and the Prevention and Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) within the AFHP & FSIP
• Actively participate in the Platform Safeguarding Working Group
• Ensure all project and activities within the health program comply with the Platform’s Child Protection and PSEAH Plans, in line with Abt and DFAT policies.

Partnerships and Networking:

• Support the coordination of communications and public diplomacy activities in relation to relevant activities in collaboration with the Platform and MHMS communications teams.
• Act as a focal point for AFHP & FSIP coordination with OPDs, CSOs and organisations focused on assistive devices, rehabilitation and disability inclusion.
• Represent the organization in relevant forums, networks, and working groups.
• Any other duties as reasonably requested by the Senior Program Manager Health or TL Infrastructure.

Key Working Relationships:

Reporting to:

• Senior Program Manager Health/TL Infrastructure

Other:

• Platform Management Unit Procurement and Contracts Team
• Team Leader Health
• Operations and Finance Officer

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field such as business, finance, administration, public health or another related field.
• Specialised training in procurement and/or project management is an advantage.

Experience

• Experience in office and logistics administration preferably in donor partner environment
• Experience in complex procurement, development activities or projects or similar business environment where efficient and effective delivery is the priority. Experience supporting health
• programs/projects is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience with diverse stakeholders in private sector, government, civil society and developing the skills of others.

Knowledge and Skills

• Effective skills and ability to organise and coordinate.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage detailed tracking systems.
• Good communication skills, with ability to advocate effectively and communicate sensitively across different constituencies.
• Ability to support monitoring stages of projects/program implementation.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with colleagues from different organisations.

How to apply

Applications close on 6 July 2025.

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

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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.

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