Senior Technical Officer - Building (Ministry of Local Government)

To undertake technical assessment, compliance monitoring, coordination, and oversight of building development applications, including administration through the Building Permit Approval System (BPAS), to ensure building developments comply with approved plans, statutory requirements, building standards, and planning policies, thereby supporting safe, orderly, and sustainable development.

Key Responsibilities

The position will achieve its purpose through the following key duties:

A. Building Development and Compliance

1. Assess and process building development applications, including architectural plans, layout plans, and supporting technical documentation, in accordance with town planning laws, building regulations, and approved policies.

2. Administer, coordinate, and oversee building applications through the Building Permit Approval System (BPAS), ensuring accurate data entry, completeness, and timely processing, verify compliance of proposed and ongoing developments with:

o Approved building plans

o Building line and setback requirements

o Height, site coverage, and zoning controls

o Conditions of planning and building approvals

3. Provide technical advice and recommendations to the Director on:

o Building permit approvals

o Requests for relaxations or variations relating to building controls

o Appeals against decisions on building development applications

4. Coordinate and manage inter-agency referrals and clearances with relevant authorities, including Fire Authority, Water Authority of Fiji, Energy Fiji Limited, Environment Department, and Local Authorities, provide professional advice to developers, consultants, and the general public on building development requirements, approval processes, and compliance obligations.

5. Represent the Director at meetings, site inspections, workshops, and stakeholder consultations on matters relating to building development and compliance.

B. Management and Reporting

6. Manage and coordinate the operations of the Building Section, including supervision of staff performance, workload allocation, and adherence to service delivery timelines, verify, validate, and endorse monthly, quarterly, and annual reports prepared by officers and/or generated through the BPAS in-built dashboard system, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and consistency prior to submission to the Director.

C. Knowledge Transfer & Capacity Building

7. Deliver at least one (1) knowledge transfer or capacity-building initiative per year for subordinates and technical support staff, including training on building regulations, compliance requirements, and effective use of BPAS.

D. Town Planning – Advocacy and Information

8. Develop and implement at least one (1) information dissemination or advocacy initiative per year on matters relating to building development, compliance standards, and planning regulations.

Knowledge & Experience

1. At least 3–5 years of practical working experience in building development assessment, construction regulation, planning, or regulatory compliance. 2. Sound knowledge and understanding of town planning and building-related legislation in Fiji, including but not limited to: o Town Planning Act o Local Government Act o State Lands Act o Crown Acquisition of Lands Act o iTaukei Lands Trust Act and iTaukei Lands Affairs o Lands Transfer Act o Environment Management Act o Relevant building regulations, standards, and codes
2. Sound knowledge and understanding of town planning and building-related legislation in Fiji, including but not limited to: Town Planning Act, Local Government Act, State Lands Act, Crown Acquisition of Lands Act, iTaukei Lands Trust Act and iTaukei Lands Affairs, Lands Transfer Act, Environment Management Act, Relevant building regulations, standards, and codes

Skills & Abilities

1. Strong oral and written communication skills and sound computer literacy, including experience with online approval and reporting systems.
2. Good analytical skills and ability to read and interpret building plans, architectural drawings, site layouts, and technical reports.
3. Strong coordination, organisational, and time-management skills.
4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with councils, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and the general public.
5. Working knowledge of building construction processes, building standards, and compliance monitoring procedures.
6. Commitment to equitable, timely, and professional service delivery.
7. Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and adherence to the Civil Service Code of Conduct.

Additional Information

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Performance will be measured through the following indicators:

1. Timely verification and endorsement of accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual building application and compliance reports generated through BPAS dashboards and submission of technical advice and appeal assessments to the Director within two (2) weeks of referral.

2. Achievement of 30 working days turnaround time for building development applications processed through BPAS and monthly reporting on effective inter-agency coordination relating to building application referrals and compliance matters.

3. Monthly submission of Building Section management reports, with no material discrepancies identified during audits and completion of one (1) knowledge transfer initiative per year for subordinates and technical staff.

4. Delivery of one (1) public or stakeholder information initiative per year on building and planning matters.

The Ministry of Local Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted 

Those that had previously applied need not to reapply

Late application will not be accepted 

Contact Information

For further enquiries please contact the HR Team on 9906 547