Medical Education Specialist - Australia Fiji Health Program

The Australian Government is supporting Fiji’s health sector through the Australia Fiji Health Program (AFHP, the Program) working with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS). 

The program’s high-level End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) are: 

• Improved systems are used by MHMS and health workers for evidence-based planning and resource allocation (workforce and budget), clinical care, digital health and medical supply chains; and 
• Targeted healthcare facilities equitably deliver improved primary health services, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and non-communicable disease (NCD) services. 

The funding for the program is approximately AUD 45million over 9 years (5 years, with an option to extend a further 4 years) and delivered through a range of activities (interventions) to achieve the program’s objectives where 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). 

AFHP is designed to support the MHMS achieve the goals and objectives in its Strategic Plan and Annual Operational Plans, and AFHP’s workplans are targeted to support specific components of the Ministry’s plans. 

Recent natural disasters such as cyclones, and public health emergencies in Fiji including COVID-19 have highlighted major challenges for pandemic preparedness and response during epidemics and other health emergencies. In this context, around 10% of program funding will be allocated for MHMS to assign to emerging needs and priorities as they arise. Funding may be allocated toward preparedness and responses to public health emergencies, or related opportunities for reform and innovation. 

Position Summary: 

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), in collaboration with the Fiji Medical Council (FMC), is undertaking the strengthening of the Fiji Medical Internship Program (FMIP). This initiative responds to identified variability in internship training quality and supervision across facilities, and the need for a nationally standardised, competency-based internship aligned with Fiji’s primary health care (PHC) priorities.
The Medical Education Specialist will provide technical leadership to design and establish a robust, standardised internship program, including curriculum, assessment systems, supervision frameworks, and an internship entrance examination, as outlined in the concept note.

To provide high-level medical education expertise to lead the design, development, and initial implementation of a standardised, competency-based Fiji Medical Internship Program and examination aligned with MHMS service priorities, PHC needs, and clinical governance standards.
 

Key Responsibilities:

The Medical Education Specialist will:
1. Internship Curriculum Development
Lead the development of a national, competency-based internship curriculum across all core clinical rotations.
Ensure alignment with MHMS clinical service priorities, PHC competencies, and internationally recognised medical education standards.
Integrate community-oriented, patient-centred, and evidence-based practice principles into the curriculum.

2. Assessment and Evaluation Frameworks
Design a national competency-based assessment framework for interns, including logbooks and workplace-based assessment tools.
Develop standards for consistent assessment and progression across all internship sites.
Support piloting and refinement of assessment tools based on stakeholder feedback.

3. Supervisor Training and Capacity Building
Design a structured national training package for internship supervisors.
Align supervisor training with MHMS clinical governance, leadership, and quality improvement initiatives.
Support delivery of supervisor training workshops in collaboration with MHMS and FMC.

4. Internship Entrance Examination
Lead the design and pilot of a national internship entrance examination to support quality assurance and readiness of incoming interns.
Develop examination blueprints, standards, and governance processes in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Governance
Work closely with MHMS, FMC, tertiary hospitals, and training sites to ensure national ownership and feasibility.
Provide expert advice to steering or technical working groups established for the FMIP.
Support alignment between pre-service education, internship training, and PHC workforce requirements.

Key deliverables: 

1.    National competency-based FMIP curriculum.
2.    National internship assessment framework, including tools and logbooks.
3.    Supervisor training package and materials.
4.    Internship entrance examination framework and pilot report.
5.    Technical reports and recommendations to MHMS and FMC
 

Selection Criteria:
 

Qualification:

• Postgraduate Qualification in Medical Education (Masters or higher preferred)

Experience:

• Medical Qualification with significant experience in clinical education
• Demonstratable experience in curriculum design, assessment systems and faculty development
• Experience working with health systems, regulators, or national training programs is highly desirable.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to lead national-level projects and drive ownership across multiple training sites and hospitals.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proficiency in collaborating with government bodies (MHMS), academic institutions (FMC), and tertiary hospitals to ensure project feasibility.
• Technical Advisory: Ability to provide expert guidance to steering committees and technical working groups.
• Clinical Integration: Skill in embedding community-oriented, patient-centered, and evidence-based principles into educational frameworks.
• Adaptive Problem Solving: Capacity to pilot new tools (like entrance exams or assessment frameworks) and refine them based on stakeholder feedback.
• Organizational Coordination: Capability to bridge the gap between pre-service education and active internship training.

Personal Attributes:

• Empathy: Understands the urgency and emotional weight behind healthcare-related requests and responds with compassion.
• Adaptability: Thrives in dynamic environments where supply chain disruptions or urgent medical needs require quick pivots.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in order processing, documentation, and communication critical in healthcare logistics.
• Resilience: Maintains composure under pressure, especially when dealing with time-sensitive or high-stakes situations.
• Proactive Mindset: Anticipates potential issues (e.g., stockouts, delays) and takes initiative to resolve them before they escalate.
• Strong Communication: Clearly conveys information to both clinical staff and internal teams, bridging gaps between departments.
• Team-Oriented: Collaborates effectively with procurement, warehouse, and clinical personnel to ensure seamless service.
• Integrity: Upholds confidentiality and compliance with healthcare regulations and policies.
• Customer-Centric Attitude: Prioritizes the needs of healthcare providers and patients, aiming to enhance service quality.
•  Problem-Solving Skills: Navigates complex logistics challenges with creativity and resourcefulness.

How to Apply: