Overview
Short Term Adviser: Sep 2025 – Sep 2026 (up to 90 days in the term)
Suva, Fiji and remote
Platform Overview
FPSP, also referred to as the 'Platform', is a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment, contributing to Fiji's national development priorities in line with 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 GEDSI (gender equality, disability and social inclusion) across and beyond sector programs.
The Platform has three functional Outcomes:
The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including support for strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments.
The Platform has prioritised GEDSI, climate action, and resilience, in its systems and practices, including how it undertakes sector programming and its engagement with selected Government of Fiji (GoF) agencies.
The Platform administers timely and efficient programming that is value-for-money, maximises local supply chains, and supports good governance, public diplomacy, effective decision making and risk management.
Program Overview
The objective of the GEDSI Program is to work together under the Vuvale Partnership to advance Fiji's commitments on gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion.
The GEDSI Program aims to achieve two End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):
EOPO 1: Select ministries are mainstreaming GEDSI in policy, programs and budgets; and
EOPO 2: Strengthened service delivery and public education for the prevention of violence against women and girls.
The GEDSI Program will be situated within the Platform's governance and management arrangements, communications protocols, and approaches to monitoring, evaluation and learning. The Platform's core personnel include the "Cross-Cutting Priorities Hub", which comprises technical staffing to support the Platform's effective integration of GEDSI and climate change. The Cross-Cutting Priorities Hub team will oversee the implementation, day-to-day management and operations of the GEDSI Program.
Position Summary
Lead consultation, review and preparation of revised National Ageing Policy through:
Review of existing policy
Conduct situational and stakeholder analyses of ageing and the elderly in Fiji
Consult with and build capacity of key stakeholders
Draft policy aligned with international standards appropriate to local context
Submit revised National Ageing Policy with Implementation Plan for government approval
Background
The National Ageing Policy was designed through a partnership with the UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office. Fiji's population is ageing, with projections indicating growth from 69,000 (8% of the population) in 2010 to 170,500 (17%) by 2050. The oldest age group is also expected to increase substantially.
Fiji Bureau of Statistics data shows the female older population represented 53.8% of the older population in 2017, up from 52.3% in 2007. The male proportion declined over the same period. The proportion of older people in the population increased by 21.8% from 2007 to 2017.
The Ageing Policy goals concern the inclusion of older people in the community and family affairs, their health and welfare, and their ability to support themselves within the community. The policy recognises:
Older persons deserve to live with dignity and to have their human rights realised
Older persons should be supported in their communities and homes as long as possible
Ageing is a normal part of the lifecycle
Population ageing should be understood holistically and mainstreamed within all social and economic development plans
Traditional customs, institutions and arrangements
National poverty cannot be reduced unless poverty is alleviated amongst older persons
Families and caregivers need support
Particular attention to older women, who comprise a larger proportion of the older population and are more likely to be widowed, neglected and poor
Key Responsibilities
Under direct supervision of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection (MWCSP) Permanent Secretary, and with support from the Chief Executive Officer – National Council for Older Persons (NCOP), the Adviser is expected to undertake the following tasks:
Phase 1: Research and Engagement
Conduct a situational analysis on ageing and the elderly population in Fiji
Review existing data and social protection initiatives and identify key stakeholders
Coordinate with policy stakeholders, including government and civil society actors
Support technical capacity building for MWCSP staff, NCOP members and sectoral stakeholders
Identify FBoS national surveys and include older persons issues in all FBoS surveys, including national census
Document and profile existing social protection programs targeted at older persons
Prepare a request to the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) for data on coverage of social benefits
Compile resource materials to assess living conditions of the elderly
Review status of elderly population in institutional care
Phase 2: Consultation and drafting of Policy
Assist NCOP in understanding and interpreting international ageing strategies and adapt them to Fiji's context
Participate in NCOP meetings and lead policy dialogue with stakeholders
Facilitate development of a revised policy framework for Fiji that incorporates international guidelines and stakeholder inputs
Review potential social protection arrangements for the elderly
Conduct simulation studies on options for a universal social pension in Fiji
Identify capacity building needs for key ministries
Liaise with multilateral agencies for additional technical support
Draft Fiji's revised Policy on Ageing based on research and consultations
Key Deliverables
Draft Situational Analysis presented for feedback and review
Final situational analysis, amended with feedback
Consultation plan presented for review and endorsement
Draft Policy on Ageing presented for feedback and review
Final Policy on Ageing endorsed by the MWCSP Permanent Secretary
Key Working Relationships
Reporting to:
Adviser reports directly to the MWCSP Permanent Secretary
Adviser will engage with MWCSP Principal Welfare Officer for day-to-day management
Indirect report to FPSP Cross Cutting Priorities Lead
Other
Other teams with MWCSP and other relevant Ministries
UNFPA and other multilateral agencies, such as WHO
DFAT
Other partners
Selection Criteria
Qualifications
Advanced degree in Demography, Social Work, Social Policy, Social Gerontology or equivalent professional experience
7 to 10 years professional experience in social policy, preferably in Ageing Policy and working with Indigenous Populations
Skills and Experience
7 to 10 years professional experience in social policy, preferably in Ageing Policy and working with Indigenous Populations
Professional experience in demographic data collection and analysis, preferably in a developing country
Policy formulation experience in the Pacific region
Fluency in English, both spoken and written
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.
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