Gender Equality, Social Inclusion (GESI) and Health Adviser

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Public Health Division (PHD) supports member countries in attaining healthier Pacific Island people and communities by helping in public health surveillance, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCD) and support for clinical services. The primary areas of focus of the division are to provide scientific and technical assistance and support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goal for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, prevent disease and injury, restore, and/or maintain health and reduce inequalities in health. PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than individual treatment services as highlighted in the PHD Business Plan. The PHD is comprised of three programmes: Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme (SPRP), NCD Prevention and Control Programme (NCDPCP) and Clinical Services Programme (CSP).

The role – Gender Equality, Social Inclusion (GESI) and Health Adviser will be responsible for mainstreaming the gender equality and social inclusion components of the people-centered approach across PHD to ensure equitable and effective health care in Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The GESI and Health Adviser will also work closely with HRSD people-centered approach team to mainstream the other elements of the people-centered approach, being human rights and positive expressions of culture, across PHD projects, programs, including the SPC’s flagship and SPC member countries.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

To deliver timely and relevant analytical, technical, research, programmatic and policy advice on the GESI dimensions of health to SPC member countries and territories, PHD staff, and various stakeholders

• Support Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and all other stakeholders to implement GESI and Health commitments and priorities.
• Conduct GESI and health research and policy analysis in selected SPC member countries to identify actions needed to strengthen GESI and provide regular written updates for Gender and Health.
• Undertake GESI analysis of PHD’s current and planned health programs, projects, plans, operations, monitoring, evaluation and learning, knowledge management and communication (MELKMC) to identify actions needed to strengthen GESI across all aspects of PHD’s work.
• Engage in national, regional, and international fora, mechanisms, and processes for the purposes of integrating GESI and Health in policies and programs.

To strengthen the mainstreaming of GESI in the Health Sector programs and projects

• Identify GESI and health capacity building and training needs for PHD staff, SPC members and stakeholders in selected countries.
• Facilitate, develop and/or deliver capacity building, training and skills building on GESI and Health utilising multiple modalities.
• Monitor and evaluate impacts of GESI and Health activities in PHD programmes and projects.
• Continuously review and adapt GESI and Health capacity building and skills development materials.

To work with all sections of the Public Health Division and SPC to develop and establish a systematic, coordinated, and effective approach to integrate GESI and health equality and ensure coordination with all the SPC flagships

• Lead stakeholder engagement, networking, and coordination to advance divisional objectives at national, regional and institutional levels.
• Engage in relevant working groups, task forces and other technical committees including sustainable livelihoods.
• Represent SPC at national, regional and international forums as delegated by the Director.

To ensure that current and new PHD direction and initiatives integrates human rights and positive expressions of Pacific culture

• Undertake a human rights and positive expressions of Pacific culture analysis of the current and planned PHD programs, projects, plans, operations, to identify actions needed to strengthen human rights and positive expressions of Pacific culture across all aspects of PHD’s work.
• Develop and deliver human rights and positive expression of Pacific culture technical assistance and capacity building for the PHD staff and member states.
• Manage and report on the delivery of human rights and Health projects, programmes and activities.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A post graduate qualification in gender, human rights, health and/or related disciplines from a recognised university.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of development experience working in the field of human rights, gender equality and social inclusion, with at least 5 years of working in the Pacific.
• Experience in mainstreaming human rights-based approaches, GEDSI in development programming.
• Proven track record in quality programming, developing, delivering and reporting against work plans.
• Experience developing capacity building resources and delivering sessions on applying human rights, GESI principles for diverse government and non-government audiences.
• Significant communication skills and experience working in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work with a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to translate text-heavy documents or information into user-friendly materials for a wide range of audiences.        

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Gender Equality, Social Inclusion (GESI) and Health Adviser is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,211–11,513 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,831–4,789). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 17 November 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000780

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. How would you ensure that GESI considerations are included within project or program design?
2. Can you please give us an example of how you have mainstreamed gender and social inclusion or applied a rights-based approach in your previous roles?
3. Please provide examples of two (2) indicators that you would recommend monitoring GESI inclusion within health projects/programmes.

Position Description