Position: Technical Advisory Lead
Program: Australia – Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A)
Location: Nadi, Fiji
Duration: Initial term two years with one-year extension option
Required Travel: Regular travel in the Pacific
Reports To: P4A Team Leader
Direct Reports: Technical Advisory Panel (as needed, when formed)
Deadline for applications: 11:59pm AEDT on 3rd November 2024
About the Program
Aviation is an important enabler of economic activity and human development in Pacific Island Countries. It connects remote Pacific Island countries to the world and each other, facilitating tourism, trade, and access to health and education services.
Australia – Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) seeks to improve efficiency and effectiveness in decision-making, governance, safety and reliability, and coordination in the sector.
P4A is being delivered through three key outcome areas, including (but not limited to):
- A stronger enabling environment, including improved management, regulations, policies, and plans that strengthen the Pacific aviation sector.
- Improved Safety, Quality and Reliability outcomes through strengthened technical capability and more common approaches across multiple countries
- Greater coordination, cooperation, to maintain connectivity between Pacific Island countries and strengthen regional and bilateral coordination and cooperation in regulatory and operational areas.
- P4A will also mainstream cross-cutting sectors to ensure outcomes strengthen child protection and safeguarding, climate change resilience and adaptation, support locally led leadership and improve Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) outcomes.
P4A is currently a five year program directed by DFAT with implementation support by Adam Smith International. DFAT is already delivering numerous P4A activities.
Position Summary
This is a leadership role – and the successful candidate is expected to lead both directly and situationally to support program delivery and a stronger, safer and more resilient aviation sector in the Pacific.
The Head of Technical Advisory will provide aviation technical advice across the program and will be responsible for the management of a Technical Advisory Panel (TAP). The TAP is yet to be formed and will be stood up in 2025. The role will be responsible for developing a range of best-fit options to deliver identified technical advisory support needs. They will also be responsible for the development of tasking notes for TAP services and quality assurance of outputs. The Head of Technical Advisory will report to the P4A Team Leader and will work closely with the Executive Director (DFAT), who is responsible for the overall strategic oversight, partnership engagement and leadership of the Program.
The role will also support existing (and new) country aligned Aviation Policy Advisers. There are already Aviation Policy Advisers working in a number of Pacific countries.
The position is full-time, based in Nadi, Fiji and will require regular travel in the Pacific.
Duties & Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Technical Advisory Lead include but not limited to:
Management and Coordination
- Lead and manage the Technical Advisory Panel, including developing tasking notes, quality-assuring outputs, and ensuring compliance with advisor reporting obligations.
- Co-ordinate across the P4A team to achieve best possible technical support effects. Work closely with the P4A Team Leader and relevant program partners on program implementation and coordination matters, including alignment and collaboration with relevant DFAT-funded projects and programs.
- Support dialogue and engagement across P4A, particularly regarding program and performance outcomes, capacity development, GEDSI, MEL, and other issues of strategic importance.
- Work closely with and further enable and support existing Aviation Policy Advisors, Aviation Technical Advisors and other staff already leading P4A activities in the Pacific.
Technical Support & Oversight
- Where directed provide aviation technical advice across the program. May be required to provide advice on aviation policy, aviation systems and processes, aviation financing and planning, aviation reform and leadership in the Pacific aviation sector.
- Attend and (where directed) lead discussions with stakeholders on a range of aviation matters and P4A activities.
Support the production of key deliverables
- Provide technical advisory support to the development of deliverables as agreed.
- Play a lead role with the Comms, Performance and Inclusion Lead and Operations Lead in delivering on the program’s reporting requirements
Program Management and Administration
- Work with the P4A Team Leader and Operations Lead to ensure program risks are identified and monitored, the program risk management framework is regularly updated, and adequate mitigation measures are put in place.
- Lead the development of Adviser Performance Assessments (APA) annually for all short-term advisers (STA) advisers.
- Together with the operations lead, manage the spending against the annual work plan, particularly STA costs.
- Ensure compliance with the Operations Manual and all relevant policies by P4A STAs.
- Support security management and responses to emergencies, applying P4A’s Security Plan as required.
Other
- Participate in regular team meetings and contribute to activity-level decision-making under the Program
- Act as a trusted representative of P4A, displaying professionalism and discretion in all interactions with the P4A team, partners and the wider public.
- Any other duties as identified by DFAT, P4A Team Leader and ASI-PD/PM
Key Deliverables
Provide technical input to: Inception Phase Workplan & Budget, Way of Working Plan, Strategic Communications Strategy, Country Engagement Strategies, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion Strategy, Pacific Skills and Education Strategy, Disaster Preparedness and Response, Risk Framework and Management Plan, Program Implementation Plan, Inception Report, Six Monthly Reports, Annual Reports, Annual Plans, Program Completion Report
Key Relationships
- Directly reporting to P4A Team Leader
- Works with and receives strategic guidance from DFAT and specified stakeholders.
- Represent P4A at various internal and external meetings, through the provision of aviation technical advice. Lead and facilitate the P4A Technical Reference Group.
- Direct management of the Technical Advisory Panel
Key Performance Indicators
- Timely delivery of high-quality contract outputs.
- Effective delivery of results as agreed in the program plans.
- Assess and manage risk appropriately.
- Responsiveness to requests from DFAT and PICs governments counterparts throughout the life of the program.
- Strong Partner Performance Assessments and Adviser Performance Assessments.
- Strong relationships built with DFAT, partner governments counterparts evidenced by positive feedback.
