Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)

Locally Engaged Employee - 12-month contract with possible extension  Five positions open for recruitment  Coaches will be based regionally to cover one or more Education District: Suva, Nausori, Nadroga/Navosa, Lautoka/Nadi/Yasawa, Ba/Tavua, Ra, Macuata/Bua, Cakaudrove, Eastern.

Program Overview:    

FPSP, also referred to as the ‘Platform’, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment, will contribute 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 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 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.

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 sector programs. In particular, the Platform seeks to strengthen program outcomes by better addressing the needs of targeted populations including those who are often marginalised. 

AFEP Overview:

The Australian Government is supporting Fiji’s education sector through the Australia Fiji Education Program (AFEP, the Program) working with the Ministry of Education (MoE). 

The objective of the AFEP is “to work with the Government of Fiji under the Vuvale Partnership to catalyse quality education delivery for all Fijian children”. 

The changes expected by the end of the five-year program are: 

EOPO 1: Schools, particularly trial schools, have improved student literacy and numeracy outcomes, supported by enabling policies, plans and data from the Ministry of Education.  EOPO 2: Heads of schools and teachers, supported by enabling policies and data from the Ministry of Education, provide a safe, resilient and inclusive learning environment for all students, particularly in trial schools. 

Four intermediate outcomes will provide pathways to meet these end of program outcomes in priority areas, like implementation of the revised literacy and numeracy curriculum in primary and secondary schools, professional development interventions, analysis and improvement of the Fiji Education Management Information System (FEMIS), as well as GEDSI and student wellbeing.  

The funding for the program is approximately AUD45 million over 9 years (5 years, with an option to extend for a further 4 years) and delivered through a range of activities to achieve the program’s objectives. 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). 

Position Summary:    

In coordination with the Curriculum Advisory Unit (CAS) of the Ministry of Education, in particular the English Curriculum Specialists, the Coach, English Curriculum (Secondary) (the ‘Coach’) will support the rollout of the Year 9 Revised Secondary English Curriculum (RSEC) by supporting multiple schools within an education district.  

In collaboration with the English Curriculum Specialists and Coordinators, the coaches will work with English department HODs, Year 9 teachers, Heads of School, and teachers (School Staff) and students to support implementation of the RSEC and related changes to classroom pedagogy through in-classroom training and support, and the provision of professional development.  

The Coach will support School Staff by modelling lessons, team teaching and assisting with planning to improve the teaching and learning of the RSEC. Furthermore, they will monitor progress in teaching and learning within their assigned schools, in collaboration with the Secondary English Team and engage in professional discussions based on observations and data. 

Based within a District Education Office, they will be working either directly or online with schools all week, except when participating in trainings or feedback Talanoas with the Secondary English Team.  

The Coach will work collaboratively with Divisional and District Education officers, Education and Senior Education Officers, School Staff and students in schools throughout Fiji. They will also participate in the revision of the Year 9 curriculum and model units and the development of curriculum and model units for Years 10-13.  

Full training will be provided to ensure that all Coaches understand the coaching model, the RSEC, the pedagogies, and the teaching strategies that will form the basis. Coaches will need to demonstrate a growth mindset and a commitment to their role as change agents within the education sector. 

Key Responsibilities:

Actively engage in professional training/induction package and ongoing online training.   Coaching School Staff and students to become competent, engaged stakeholders in using the RSEC and related teaching and learning approaches.   Collaborating with the Secondary English Team to develop and model practical model units and lessons based on the RSEC’s teachings strategies.   Supporting School Staff in the development of teaching and learning resources.   Providing professional development and supporting School Staff to provide professional development for school staff, as required.   Assisting School Staff to understand, plan and implement differentiated teaching and learning strategies through their planning and practice -including students that are at-risk, those with a disability or learning difficulty and those that are gifted.   Communicating with stakeholders, the Secondary English Team and relevant CAS Officers.   Other duties as required by English Curriculum Specialist (Secondary) 

Key Working Relationships: 

Reporting to:

Coordinator, English Curriculum (Secondary)   

Other:

AFEP Team  Curriculum Advisory Services Officers, Education Advisers and Senior Education Officers  Divisional and District Officers.  Heads of Schools, Heads of Department and relevant teachers within the Ministry of Education. 

How to apply:

Applications close on Wednesday 7 February 2025  

Please apply online by submitting a cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of this role and up-to-date comprehensive CV.  

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