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AusAIDKiribati

Senior Program Manager

Applicant Information Package

Date Advertised: 25 June 2011

The closing date for applications is Monday 11 July

A SUMMARY OF THE REMUNERATION PACKAGE

AusAID’s aim is to be an employer of choice by offering excellent conditions of employment and support to our staff. Shown below are some of the key aspects of the remuneration package offered for the vacancy:

Contract Term: The position is ‘on-going’ (permanent) following completion of a probation period of six (6) months.

Salary: The salary offered to the successful applicant will be in accordance with the AusAID Kiribati Salary Scale, commensurate with experience and qualifications and within the range of $30,030 AUD - $38,327 AUD. A performance bonus may also be payable.

If an applicant is recruited from a country outside of Kiribati the following may be payable:

  • Location Allowance: Alocation allowance of up to $20,000 AUD (single) or $24,000 AUD (accompanied) per year.
  • Relocation Expenses: Reasonable relocation expenses.
  • Non-resident Housing Allowance: A non-resident housing allowance of up to $1,400 per month.

Annual Leave: 20 days annual leave per year. In addition to this entitlement AusAID closes its Kiribatioffice between Christmas and New Year. Employees are not required to take leave over this period.

Personal Circumstances Leave: (Sick Leave and Carer’s Leave) –Employees are entitled to 20 days personal leave.

Annual Leave / Relief Fare: Employees are entitled to one annual economy class leave fare for each completed 12 months of service.

Superannuation: Employees are entitled to a superannuation contribution of 7.5% (payable into either the Kiribati Provident Fundor, for non-Kiribati nationals, a nominated superannuation account).

Long Service Leave: In relation to Long Service Leave (LSL) on-going staff will accumulate LSL as follows:

(a)after 15 years continuous service - 20 working days;

(b)after 25 years continuous service –a further 20 working days;

(c)after each succeeding five years continuous service –a further 20 working days. ie. on completion of 30, 35, 40 years of continuous service.

Access to Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave, Parental Leave and Special Leave.

Travel: In addition to travel allowances, employees are entitled to travel in Business Class on all international flights for official travel.

Worker’s Compensation:AusAID enrols employees in a worker’s compensation scheme that covers the employee for illness, injury, or injury resulting in death, arising in the course of their employment.


AusAID Tarawa Post

SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER – WORKFORCE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Job Description and Selection Documentation

We are looking for people to join our Agency. We aim to get the right person into the right role. For more information, please visit our website

About AusAID

AusAID (Australian Agency for International Development) advises the Government on international development policy and manages Australia’s overseas aid program.

The core principles of Australia's aid program are:

  • accelerating progress towards the Millennium Development Goals;
  • a recognition that while economic growth is the most powerful longterm solution to poverty, economic growth will not, by itself, deliver fair and stable societies;
  • a strong emphasis on the Asia-Pacific, while also increasing our efforts in Africa and South Asia;
  • an emphasis on the power of education to promote development; and
  • a commitment to continue to improve effectiveness.

These principles will guide the aid program in delivering sustainable development gains.

AusAID’s People

People who work in AusAID implement government policy and formulate strategies aimed at assisting countries achieve their Millennium Development Goals. By working in partnership with Australian and foreign government officials, international bodies, the private sector, community organisations and civil society, people in AusAID may help to improve the quality of people’s lives in developing countries now and for generations to come.

About Tarawa Post

As part of the Australian High Commission in Tarawa, AusAID manages the Australian Government’s aid program with the Government of Kiribati. Under the Partnership for Development with Kiribati, the Tarawa Post has assumed greater responsibility in managing the significantly expanded operations of Australia’s aid program in a range of areas including Education, Public Sector Improvement and Human Resource Development. AusAID’s Tarawa post works closely with the AusAID Regional Office in Suva. AusAID’s Canberra office retains responsibility for whole-of-government engagement, strategic policy setting and quality assurance.

The AusAID’s Tarawa post currently has two Australian staff and ten locally-engaged staff. All staff work in a team based environment.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Senior Program Manager manages the delivery of the Kiribati Workforce Skills Development Program under Partnership Outcome 2. The incumbent supervises a small team and is responsible for “whole of sector program” contractual and financial compliance and performance of contractors.

The Senior Program Manager facilitates the effective and efficient in-country management of a program through effective leadership and management of activities and by building strong partnerships with relevant key stakeholders in Kiribati and the Pacific region.

In undertaking these activities, the responsibilities of the position may include the following:

  1. Manage complex projects across a Sector or number of Sectors providing high level advice and expertise to deliver key developmental outcomes. Monitor the performance of complex project(s) and participate in monitoring and review activities. Prepare the quality reporting requirements across a Sector or number of Sectors including Sector Performance Reports.
  2. Provide leadership to a section / Sub Section. Determine workflow priorities, assume responsibility for delivery and the development, provide coaching, mentoring and guidance of employees.
  3. Set strategic directions and define objectives for program/project delivery across a Sector.
  4. Manage AusAID’s relationship with key stakeholders including detailed consultation and liaison at a Senior level. Negotiate and maintain liaison at senior levels with counterpart officials and representatives concerning the formulation and implementation of development cooperation programs. Liaise with other bilateral development cooperation donors, regional bodies, and multilateral development cooperation agencies on the programming/delivery of development cooperation within the country/region.
  5. Participate in forums and high level meetings developing strong formal and informal relationships with senior partner government officials, other donors and stakeholders for bilateral and regional activities. Advocacy of AusAID’s interests across a range of stakeholders and at a senior level.
  6. Manage complex contracts across a Sector or number of Sectors and monitor contractor performance. Oversight contract administration, the resolution of problems, the management of contract variations and amendments, the maintenance of contract-related records and ensure that AusAID meets its contractual obligations.
  7. Provide advice on developments likely to affect the cost and scheduling of programs/projects; effectiveness of the various categories of development cooperation and of the types of programs to be undertaken; international development issues and their implications for the Australia development cooperation program including AusAID relations with other development cooperation donors.
  8. Manage the finances of complex projects and, where appropriate, manage the Program Fund Plan. Prepare or oversight the preparation of financial estimates, coordinate budgets, maintain financial records and analyse / monitor expenditure.
  9. Oversight the management of accurate and up-to-date activity data on AusAID financial management system.
  10. Report on activity progress and program outcomes across a Sector or number of Sectors and draft country and/or regional papers, policy papers, complex correspondence, briefs and submissions on a wide range of matters relevant to program management.
  11. Coordinate and prepare complex briefings for the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, AusAID Executive and Australian delegations. Prepare background information, talking points for speeches and other briefing documents for relevant activities.
  12. Prepare technical reviews of projects (project design, frameworks and formulation) across a Sector / Number of Sectors for peer and quality assessments for new and ongoing projects.
  13. Provide significant input into policy development and apply knowledge of the aid program, key economic, political, social and cultural issues in development and whole-of-government policy.

CAPABILITIES

Shows judgement, intelligence and commonsense

  • Systematically analyses information to identify relationships between factors.
  • Identifies problems and assesses their significance; takes appropriate action to resolve them.
  • Checks and clarifies information and avoids unwarranted assumptions; draws accurate conclusions and presents logical arguments.
  • Explores various possibilities and generates innovative alternatives.
  • Selects the best option from a range of potential solutions; demonstrates how recommendations solve the key problems identified.

Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty

  • Constructs project plans that have clear and appropriate goals, timeframes and budgets; anticipates change and buildscontingencies into plans.
  • Deals positively with uncertainty and copes effectively in an environment characterised by change; determines a course of action despite lack of clarity.
  • Shares appropriate information with staff and colleagues during times of change; helps others adapt to ensure a smooth transition.

Ensures closure and delivers on intended results

  • Regularly seeks feedback from stakeholders to gauge their satisfaction; ensures work is delivered to a high standard.
  • Maintains focus on quality to achieve key outcomes; adheres to documentation procedures and sees tasks through to completion.
  • Monitors projects against plans; manages priorities and agrees adjustments to milestones as required.

Nurtures internal and external relationships

  • Develops and maintains a network with others internally and externally.
  • Builds and sustains relationships; liaises with a range of stakeholders including other teams, peers and colleagues across the organisation, and in other organisations.
  • Offers reciprocal assistance in achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.
  • Anticipates the needs of clients and provides courteous, prompt and professional service to them.

Commits to action

  • Takes the initiative; progresses work, and engages in additional tasks as required.
  • Gets on with the job at hand and applies self with energy and drive; commits to meeting the objectives.
  • Recognises and seeks to resolve issues impacting on the achievement of desired outcomes.

Communicates clearly

  • Focuses on clearly communicating key points.
  • Limits the use of jargon and abbreviations; explains complex information using language appropriate for the audience.
  • Presents messages confidently and selects the appropriate medium for maximum effect.
  • Structure messages clearly and succinctly, both orally and in writing.

ELIGIBILITY / OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The position is required to obtain a satisfactory police check and medical check.

REPORTING

The position reports to the First Secretary at Tarawa Post.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Important: The Selection Criteria are used to assess an applicant’s suitability for a position. Applicants must provide a statement of claims, not exceeding two pages, addressing the selection criteria below.

Statements should detail suitability to perform the duties of the position including personal qualities, experience, skills and knowledge relative to the selection criteria.

  1. Strong policy development, facilitation and implementation skills;
  2. Demonstrated high level analytical skills;
  3. Sound understanding of key economic, political, social and cultural issues facing the delivery of aid in Kiribati;
  4. High level organisational and management skills;
  5. High level interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on liaison, communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement; and
  6. A commitment to and demonstrated capacity to implement the principles and practices of Workplace Diversity, OH&S and Employee Participation policies.

Highly Desirable: Technical qualifications and/or experience in health, education or development related fields would be highly regarded.

It is essential that the incumbent to the position has sound computer literacy skills holds a driver’s license and is willing to work non-routine hours and to travel regularly if required.

NB: All AusAID employees demonstrate a commitment to the Code of Conduct and Values, as well as to workplace diversity, occupational health and safety and employee participation principles and have appropriate cross-cultural sensitivities.

When your application is complete:

For applicants located
in Kiribati deliver to:
DPS, AusAID Program Office, Bairiki, Tarawa
(opposite St Anne’s
Pre-school) / For applicants located
in another country:
Human Resources Manager
AusAID Suva Hub
P.O. Box 214,
Suva, FijiIslands / All applicants may submit their application by email to:

Questions / Additional Information:

Questions concerning remuneration should be directed to Sela Vakabua, HR Manager, AusAID Pacific +679 3388351

Questions concerning the role of the position should be directed to Amie Milligan,Development Program Specialist, Kiribati +686 21184 Ext 202

Additional information on the Australian High Commission Kiribati can be found at

Additional information on AusAID can be found at

APPLICATION COVER SHEET

Position Title / Senior Program Manager Kiribati
Date Advertised / 25 June 2011
Application Due / 5:00pm; Monday 11 July 2011

APPLICANT DETAILS

Family Name
Given Name(s)
Contact Number* / Tick preferred
Home:
Work:
Mobile:
Address
Email Address

*A phone contact number must be provided

CHECKLIST

(Please tick each box when completed)

  1. Application cover sheet completed.
  1. Current resume attached (no more than 2 pages).
  1. Statement of experience addressing the selection criteria (no more than half a

page per selection criteria).

  1. Copy of relevant educational qualifications (originals must be available to sight

at interview if required).

5.Signature:______Date:______

AusAID USE ONLY

Time Received
Date Received
Received By
Signature