About The Role

Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)

Short Term Role – commencing September 2026 to February 2027
Based in Suva, Fiji
Its a locally engaged role - open to Fiji Nationals only.

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 delivers key bilateral programs, such as health, education, scholarships, social infrastructure, governance, climate and emergency preparedness and response. Platform activities 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

The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including through supporting strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments.
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.
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 Consultant will work closely with the PFM Adviser, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to strengthen public financial management systems within the health sector. The assignment will focus on the development of a sector-wide PFM framework, assessment of current systems, identification of reform priorities, and support for implementation planning and institutional capacity transfer.

Key Deliverables

PFM Diagnostic and Gap Analysis Report

Conduct a targeted assessment of MHMS public financial management systems against relevant national and international standards, including PEFA benchmarks, the Fiji Financial Management Act and Regulations, Fiji Procurement Regulations, Public Sector Infrastructure Programme Guidelines, and recommendations from the World Bank Health Sector Review. The report will identify key strengths, critical bottlenecks, priority reform areas, risks, and recommended actions.

Established baselines for all PFM related indicators in MHMS Strategic Plan and AFHP MERL Framework

Timeline : Months 1-2

MHMS Public Financial Management Framework

Develop a comprehensive MHMS PFM Framework that consolidates existing policies, procedures, governance arrangements, accountability mechanisms, and good practice requirements into a single reference document for the health sector. The framework will include:

Governance and accountability arrangements
Planning, budgeting and procurement alignment model
Budget execution and commitment control framework
Financial reporting and performance monitoring framework
Internal controls and risk management framework
Roles and responsibilities matrix

Present the framework to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Senior Leadership Team for review and endorsement.

Timeline : Months 3-5

PFM Reform Implementation Roadmap

Develop a phased implementation roadmap to operationalise the MHMS PFM Framework. The roadmap will include

Short-term actions (0–12 months)
Medium-term actions (1–3 years)
Long-term reforms (3–5 years)
Responsible units and accountabilities
Performance indicators and milestones
Sequencing and prioritisation of reforms

Timeline : Month 6

Validation and Knowledge Transfer

Facilitate stakeholder engagement, validation and institutionalisation of the framework and reform roadmap through workshops and knowledge transfer activities. Outputs will include:

Conduct a validation workshop
Stakeholder feedback and consultation report
Final package of approved frameworks, tools and implementation roadmap handed over to MHMS

Timeline : Months 4–6

Key Working Relationships

Reporting to

PFM Adviser - AFHP

Other

PS MHMS
MHMS Finance and HR Division
Ministry of Finance
Senior Health Specialist - AFHP

Selection Criteria

Qualifications

Advanced degree in Public Financial Management, Economics, Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field.
Professional certification such as CPA, CA, CFA, CIPFA, or equivalent is desirable.

Experience

Minimum of 10 years' progressively responsible experience in public financial management, including budgeting, expenditure management, public sector accounting, financial reporting, and fiscal oversight.
Demonstrated experience working within Fiji's public financial management systems, regulatory environment, and institutional frameworks.
Experience in donor-funded programs and familiarity with donor financing modalities, fiduciary risk management, and accountability requirements.
Proven experience in organisational capacity strengthening, including training, coaching, and mentoring.
Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation experience, including working with senior government officials and development partners.
Experience in the health sector is highly desirable.

Desirable

Experience working in Pacific Island Countries or similar small-island developing state contexts.
Experience working on DFAT-funded programs or comparable international development initiatives

Knowledge and Skills

Strong knowledge of international good practice in public financial management, including planning, budgeting, procurement, financial reporting, internal controls, and performance monitoring.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into practical policy and operational recommendations.
Strong communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills, including the preparation of high-quality technical reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
Ability to build effective relationships, influence decision-makers, and engage confidently with senior stakeholders.
Understanding of health sector financing and public expenditure management is desirable.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timeframes.