Programme Officer, National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) - Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion Program

Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)

• Long Term Personnel – 10 month contract  
• Please apply online by submitting a cover letter addressing how you meet the selection criteria of this role and up-to-date comprehensive CV.
• Reserved for Fiji Nationals only
• Based in Suva, Fiji
• Government of Fiji Civil Service Pay Scale Band G Step 7

Program Overview: 

FPSP, also referred to as the ‘Platform’, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment, assists DFAT to deliver 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 assists DFAT to deliver its key bilateral programs, such as health, education, scholarships, social infrastructure, governance, climate and emergency preparedness and response. Platform activities identify and address climate risks, and promote climate action and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) across and beyond the sector programs.

The Platform has three functional Outcomes:  

1. The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including through supporting strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments.
2. 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
3. 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. 

Program Overview: 

The objective of the GEDSI Program is: To work together under the Vuvale Partnership to advance Fiji’s commitments on gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion.

The GEDSI Program aims to achieve this objective by realising two complementary End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

• EOPO 1: Select ministries are mainstreaming GEDSI in policy, programs and budgets; and
• EOPO 2: Strengthened service delivery and public education for the prevention of violence against women and girls.

The GEDSI Program will be situated within the Platform’s governance and management arrangements, communications protocols, and approaches to monitoring, evaluation and learning.  The Platform’s core personnel include the “Cross-Cutting Priorities Hub”, which comprises of technical staffing to support the Platform’s effective integration of GEDSI and climate change. The Cross-Cutting Priorities Hub team will oversee the implementation, day-to-day management and operations of the GEDSI Program.

National Council of Older Persons (NCOP) Background

The National Council of Older Persons (NCOP) is a statutory body established under the National Council for Older Persons Act 2012 to promote and protect the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of older persons in Fiji. NCOP serves as the Government’s key advisory, coordinating, advocacy, and regulatory mechanism on ageing, working to strengthen collaboration between Government, communities, civil society, faith-based organisations, and the private sector to create an inclusive, protective, and supportive environment for older persons. 

Its functions include advising on and supporting the development and implementation of national ageing policies, promoting national and international commitments on the rights of older persons, and regulating and monitoring organisations that provide services to older persons to ensure quality standards and alignment with national frameworks. 

Through national, divisional, and district structures, NCOP ensures that the voices and needs of older persons are represented in decision-making and service delivery across Fiji.

Position Summary

The Programme Officer provides technical leadership, coordination, and quality assurance across NCOP programmes, ensuring that policy development, programme delivery, and stakeholder engagement are inclusive, equitable and responsive to the diverse experiences of older persons.

The Programme Officer works closely with government ministries, civil society organisations, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and older persons’ groups to promote gender equality, disability inclusion, participation, and protection in ageing-related policies and programmes.

The Programme Officer leads the coordination and implementation of the National Ageing Policy Review, and establishes and maintains the Service Providers Stocktake and Directory for Older Persons in accordance with the National Council for Older Persons Act 2012, ensuring that services are mapped and assessed with regard to accessibility, equity, and responsiveness to older women, older persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups.

The role ensures that NCOP’s programme delivery, policy processes, and communications are strategic, evidence-informed and impactful, aligned with national priorities and NCOP’s statutory mandate, and informed by disaggregated data and the lived experiences of diverse groups of older persons.
 

Key Responsibilities

 National Ageing Policy Review (Core Responsibility)

• Lead the coordination of the National Ageing Policy Review, including planning, scheduling, and facilitation of inclusive national and sub-national consultations.

• Prepare and refine the review methodology, consultation tools, and stakeholder engagement plans, ensuring they are gender‑responsive, disability‑inclusive, and accessible to diverse groups of older persons.

• Coordinate and integrate inputs from government ministries, civil society, development partners, and older persons’ groups, with deliberate outreach to older women, older persons with disabilities, and those in rural or underserved communities.

• Prepare, consolidate, and quality assure policy review reports, technical papers, and recommendations that reflects differential experiences of ageing and address structural inequalities.

• Ensure alignment of the revised policy with national development priorities, international human rights commitments, and whole-of-government frameworks.

Service Providers Stocktake and Directory (Statutory Function)

• Conduct and manage a comprehensive stocktake of service providers delivering services to older persons, in accordance with the National Council for Older Persons Act 2012.

• Design, establish, and maintain an electronic Service Providers Directory, including data collection, verification, and updating protocols that capture information on service accessibility, geographic coverage, and responsiveness to the needs of older women and older persons with disabilities.

• Engage and coordinate with service providers, government agencies, and partners to ensure accuracy, completeness and consistency of information.

• Advance NCOP’s coordination and regulatory functions through effective use of service provider data and analysis.

 Program Design, Strategic Planning and Policy Implementation

• Contribute to and strengthen program design and strategic planning aligned with NCOP’s Strategic Plan and annual workplans, ensuring programs respond to the diverse needs and vulnerabilities of older persons.

• Advance implementation of approved ageing-related policies and programs, with particular attention to inclusion, participation and equity outcomes.

• Develop and maintain program frameworks, implementation schedules, and tracking tools.

Program Implementation and Management

• Manage and coordinate day-to-day implementation of NCOP programs and priority initiatives.

• Plan and deliver consultations, workshops, conferences, and stakeholder meetings, including the Biennial Conference for Older Persons

• Ensure program activities, consultations and events are inclusive and accessible, including through appropriate venues, formats, timing and support measures that enable meaningful participation of older women and older persons with disabilities.

• Ensure timely delivery of program outputs in line with agreed milestones, quality standards, and resources.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Establish and apply MEAL tools and processes to track program performance, outputs, and outcomes.

• Maintain accurate program records, databases, and documentation.

• Prepare and submit program progress reports, briefs, and updates to NCOP Council, the Ministry, and development partners.

• Capture and disseminate lessons learned and good practice.

Policy Support and Advisory Functions

• Provide analytical and coordination leadership for policy development, review, and implementation processes.

• Prepare policy briefs, ministerial submissions, and technical papers on ageing and older persons.

• Inform and strengthen evidence-based decision-making within NCOP.

Mainstreaming Older Persons Across Whole of Government

• Drive and coordinate mainstreaming of ageing and older persons’ issues across government policies, plans, and programs.

• Build effective working relationships with line ministries and agencies to advance age-responsive approaches.

• Facilitate whole-of-government coordination on ageing-related priorities.

 Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships and Public–Private Collaboration

• Build and sustain partnerships with civil society organisations, faith-based groups, private sector actors, and development partners.

• Facilitate collaboration across stakeholders to strengthen service delivery and innovation for older persons.

• Coordinate multi-stakeholder platforms and advisory mechanisms.

• Promote partnerships that support equitable access to services and protection for older persons, including those most at risk of exclusion, neglect or abuse.

 Grants Management and Support to Registered Organisations

• Coordinate and administer grants or program support to registered organisations working with older persons. 

• Support and monitor funded organisations to ensure programs and services are inclusive, accessible and accountable to diverse groups of older persons.

• Ensure compliance with reporting, accountability, and performance requirements.

• Strengthen accountability systems for funded or supported organisations.

 Financial and Resource Management

• Contribute to program budgeting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting in collaboration with FPSP and NCOP management.

• Manage program-related procurement and contracts in line with approved procedures.

• Ensure efficient and transparent use of program resources.

 Capacity Building and Systems Strengthening

• Design and coordinate capacity building initiatives for NCOP, service providers, and partners.

• Strengthen systems, tools, and processes for program coordination, delivery, and reporting.

• Institutionalise learning through documentation and knowledge management.

Other Duties

• Undertake other duties as assigned by the CEO, NCOP, consistent with organisational priorities and statutory functions.

Deliverables:

• Effective coordination and administrative support to the National Ageing Policy review and update process, including consultation planning, stakeholder engagement, and documentation.
• Consultation outputs, including consultation summaries, consolidated feedback, key issues and recommendations briefs, and action tracking records. 
• Updated and accurate records and registers relating to the stocktake and registration of service providers for older persons.
• Timely and accurate secretariat services, including meeting agendas, minutes, decision logs, and follow-up action tracking. 
• Evidence of GEDSI and safeguarding integration across activities, including inclusive consultation approaches, accessibility measures, and appropriate escalation of safeguarding concerns. 
• Regular written progress updates and reports to the CEO and, where required, through the FPSP matrix reporting arrangements.

Selection Criteria:

• A recognised tertiary qualification in public policy, social sciences, public administration, development studies, social work, or a related discipline.
• At least three (3) years’ relevant experience in project coordination, policy support, programme administration, or secretariat services, preferably within the public sector or a development context.
• Demonstrated experience working respectfully and ethically with vulnerable or marginalised populations, including older persons and/or persons with disabilities.
• Demonstrated understanding of GEDSI principles and ability to apply an inclusion lens in planning, consultation, and documentation.
• Demonstrated understanding of safeguarding principles, including prevention of abuse, exploitation, and neglect, and the ability to follow reporting and escalation procedures.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate records and registers, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing formal reports, briefing notes, and meeting documentation.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
  Desirable
• Experience supporting government policy review processes or working with statutory bodies, councils, or committees.
• Experience conducting community consultations, field visits, or stakeholder engagement involving direct contact with older persons or vulnerable adults.

How to Apply:

Applications close on  March 2026.

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

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