Director, Commonwealth Pacific Governance Facility (CPGF)

Reference: PG/PAC/0428
Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands | Salary package: circa £45,000 per annum-tax free in country of assignment
Duration: 1 year. May be extended a further 3 years subject to funding and performance.
Closing Date: 10 Apr 2013

Project Background

Commonwealth Pacific Governance Facility (CPGF) is a four year programme funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat since 2010 to enhance transparency, accountability, equity and efficiency in the management and use of public resources in the Pacific. It is designed to create a platform for strategic partnership with development partners in Pacific Island countries to:

• build relationships within democratic oversight institutions to foster effective development governance;
• facilitate coordination between development partners in the area of democratic institutional and capacity development;
• facilitate coordination between development partners in the area of public procurement;
• build capacity and relationships within national procurement units and between the regional and Commonwealth procurement networks to improve coordination;
• promote the key qualitative elements (transparency, competition and objective decision-making) in the procurement system to enhance integrity in accordance with the spirit of article 9 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

The CPGF Director will build on the successes of the last two years (2010-2012) and drives the way forward in the best interest of a sustained CWS presence and visibility in the region.

S/He will be responsible for the day to day supervision of the programme and coordination of the work on a daily basis. S/He will be a seasoned expert in one or both of the substantive areas related to enhanced transparency, accountability, equity and efficiency in the management and use of public resources in the Pacific, and will bring this expertise to bear to create linkages and synergies between the CPGF components/activities and, between the CPGF and other governance initiatives in the region. The Director will work closely with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and development partners to ensure information-sharing on essential strategic and progress issues, and to create partnership where opportunity presents itself.

The Director ensures proper project documentation and prepares regular progress reports for submission to Director, GIDD. S/he should provide technical assistance and coordination support to the preparation of quarterly work plans and budgets.

Key Results Expected

• Provides strategic leadership to programme implementation, focussing on the achievement of:

• Quality facilitation of government and development partners coordination in the identification, design and preparation of activities that support enhanced transparency, accountability, equity and efficiency in the management and use of public resources in the Pacific;
• Synergies between programme components/activities and bringing experiences from other development partners to bear on programme implementation;

• Performs programme management functions in support of the implementing partners and CWS both at country and regional level, focussing on the achievement of:

• A results-based work plan that clearly set out the quarterly output targets, indicators, activities, resource requirements and budget;
• Timely disbursement and reporting on funds;
• Effective supervision and guidance to project staff in ensuring effective programme implementation;
• Support coordination with development partners to ensure efficient and effective contribution to programme results;
• Implementation of a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation system for the programme and regular monitoring of activities;
• Sharing information regularly on the progress of the project implementation, and any relevant issues, including the updating of project monitoring and issue logs;
• Management of financial and human resources according to CFTC rules and guidelines for outpost programmes such as CPGF;
• Preparation of quarterly progress reports detailing progress against the output targets, and the activities undertaken in support of these outputs;
• Timely periodic reports including financial reports to CWS – quarterly, annual and as and when required and;
• Prepare and provide an annual comprehensive final report on the activities of the project, including accounting for all the disbursements, and financial audits that will be undertaken under the project for presentation to CWS and cost-sharing partners;

• Provides innovative and proactive liaison and coordination services to partner coordination, project steering, implementation and dissemination, focussing on the achievement of:

• Stakeholders apprised of the project progress through regular updates;
• Interlinkages between components of the CPGF actively promoted;
• Coordination with development partners and donors on all elements necessary for successful implementation of the programme;
• Communication strategy developed and implemented to ensure that programme results are known and understood by a wide constituency;

• Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing within implementing development partners as well as CWS, focussing on achievement of:

• Identifying and codifying “best fit” practices for the region;
• Ensure effective linkages with other development partners active in consolidation of good governance and development through consultative forum, joint technical working groups of development partners, succinct briefings and concept notes to development partners and CWS;

Outputs and Deliverables

The key results have a direct impact on the capacity of Pacific Commonwealth governments to institutionalise and deepen good governance and development through effective democratic oversight institutions as well as an enhanced integrity of procurement system in accordance with UNCAC. 

At the end of the duration of the project, the CPGF Director will;

• Ensure that democratic oversight institutions and procurement networks demonstrate complementarity with each other in support of enhanced transparent, accountable, equity and efficient management and use of public resources in the Pacific region; 
• Provide essential technical assistance to each of the programme components/activities and will coordinate with partners to ensure that the CPGF delivers in quality and in time.

Education and Work Experience

• A master’s degree in Development Studies, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Science or in any equivalent related fields.
• At least five years of experience in analytical and practical development work in such areas as: 

• working with democratic oversight institutions – PACs, Audit, SAIs, etc.
• institutional analysis and design, development planning, project design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects/programmes

• Experiences in parliamentary and public administration processes in the Pacific region
• Leadership and project management skills, including strong project monitoring skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience and proficiency in the use of computers and software packages

Further Information

How to apply

Terms and Conditions of Service

Full Job Description for Director, Commonwealth Pacific Governance Facility (CPGF)