Strategic Adviser (Gender Equality Policy)

Strategic Adviser (Gender Equality Policy)

Abt Global

Suva, Fiji

Position Summary:

The Adviser will support the Minister and Permanent Secretary (PS) in advancing the Fiji Government’s agenda on gender equality and the empowerment of women and children. This role provides strategic advice to drive the effective implementation of key policies and initiatives related to gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI).

In addition to offering expert guidance, the Advisor will mentor and coach counterparts within the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection (MWCSP), helping leaders progress their priorities and achieve the Ministry’s long-term goals.

With a strong background in gender equality, social inclusion, and public sector policy development, the Advisor will play a crucial role in translating Fiji’s national and international GEDSI commitments into tangible outcomes that enhance the empowerment and well-being of all women and children in Fiji.

Key Responsibilities:

The Adviser will provide high-level strategic policy support and advice to the offices of the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection and the Permanent Secretary to ensure that:

• key policies, strategies and plans are delivered effectively and in a timely manner.
• MWCSP’s gender equality mainstreaming efforts support the achievement of Fiji’s national and international gender equality, disability and social inclusion commitments.

To achieve this, the Advisor will:

• provide quality advisory services to Minister and PS, including updates of progress of policy reforms from development through successful execution.
• facilitate the coordination of the MWCSP’s budgetary deliverables and commitments.
• coordinate and consolidate the implementation of Fiji’s domestic GEDSI policy commitments.
• coordinate and consolidate the progress of implementation of regional and international commitments (including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)), and high-level representation and engagement in key fora (including the Commission on Status of Women (CSW), the Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting).
• foster connections and exchange and support the Minister and PS to introduce new ways of working to strengthen the MWCSP’s ability to deliver across Fiji Government
• support the Minister and PS to scope and develop potential plans and approaches for the MWCSP and to drive and deliver outcomes.
• support the Minister and PS to follow up on their directives and to keep actions/activities on track in support of the broader MWCSP workplan.
• cooperate with and support MWCSP staff, and with other Fiji Government ministries and stakeholders as required.
• Additional job-specific roles and responsibilities may be discussed and agreed between the successful candidate and Minister and PS.

Key Deliverables:

• Provision of on-going high-quality strategic and policy advice.
• Support the coordination and implementation of deliverables.
• Six-monthly reports to MWCSP and DFAT.

Key Working Relationships:

Reporting to:

• Directly reporting to: Offices of the Minister and Permanent Secretary.
• Indirectly reporting to: Cross Cutting Priorities Lead, FPSP.

Other:

• Directors (Children, Women and Social Protection).
• DFAT.

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, political science, public administration, international development, gender studies or a related discipline with 10 years’ experience in a similar organisation or institutions, or a bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned disciplines with extensive professional experience.

Skills and Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in providing senior-level strategic policy and technical advice to government to support Ministerial decision-making.
• Strong communication, cultural competency and stakeholder engagement skills, with the demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong relationships and foster collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders (including Fiji Government, diplomatic missions, development partners, multilateral agencies, civil society and delivery partners) to secure outcomes.
• High-level problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to navigate complex operating environments, uncertainty and risk, including facilitating others to adapt plans as required.
• An understanding of Fiji gender equality, disability and social inclusion laws and devolution-related legislation, and of government and private sector policies and governance structures, and ability to relate to Fiji and the Pacific.
• Experience working in developing countries and the ability to work in Fiji.

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