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

Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)

• Long Term Personnel – 12 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 is responsible for supporting and coordinating NCOP’s policy, programme, research, partnership, advocacy and governance functions. The position plays a key role in coordinating implementation of the National Ageing Policy, strengthening District Councils of Older Persons (DCOPs) and Older Persons Associations, supporting the review and development of laws and policies affecting older persons, coordinating research and data initiatives, facilitating stakeholder engagement and partnerships, and supporting Fiji’s participation in regional and international ageing initiatives.

The Programme Officer works closely with the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection (MWCSP), government ministries, development partners, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, academic institutions, private sector organisations, service providers and older persons to strengthen a coordinated national response to ageing and advance the rights, wellbeing and inclusion of older persons in Fiji. 
 

Key Responsibilities

1. National Ageing Policy Implementation and Coordination

• Coordinate implementation, monitoring and reporting of the National Ageing Policy in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection and relevant stakeholders.
• Support development and monitoring of policy implementation plans, workplans and reporting frameworks.
• Facilitate coordination among government ministries, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders involved in implementation of the National Ageing Policy.
• Monitor progress, identify challenges and opportunities, and support evidence-based recommendations to strengthen implementation.
• Prepare reports, briefing notes and policy papers relating to ageing and older persons.

2. Legislative and Policy Development

• Coordinate and support initiatives relating to the review, development and strengthening of legislation, policies and programmes affecting older persons.
• Support stakeholder consultations and engagement processes relating to law reform and policy development.
• Prepare policy briefs, discussion papers, submissions and recommendations for consideration by NCOP, Government and relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor regional and international developments relating to ageing and older persons and identify implications for Fiji.

3. District Councils of Older Persons and Older Persons Associations

• Coordinate the establishment, reactivation and strengthening of District Councils of Older Persons (DCOPs) throughout Fiji.
• Coordinate activities and reporting of DCOPs in partnership with the MWCSP Older Persons Unit.
• Support establishment and strengthening of Older Persons Associations and community-based structures.
• Facilitate training, networking, information sharing and capacity-building initiatives for DCOPs and Older Persons Associations.
• Maintain records, databases and reports relating to DCOPs and Older Persons Associations.

4. Research, Data and Evidence

• Coordinate research, data collection and knowledge management initiatives relating to ageing and older persons.
• Support preparation of Situation Analyses on Older Persons and other evidence-based studies.
• Coordinate collection, analysis and dissemination of data relating to the status and wellbeing of older persons.
• Support development and maintenance of information systems and databases relating to older persons and ageing.
• Facilitate collaboration with academic institutions, researchers and development partners to strengthen evidence-based programming.

5. Partnerships, Resource Mobilisation and Programme Development

• Build and maintain productive partnerships with government agencies, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, development partners, academic institutions, private sector organisations and community groups.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and partnership initiatives supporting NCOP priorities.
• Develop concept notes, partnership proposals and project concepts to advance priority policy and programme areas.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, resource mobilisation and strategic engagement.
• Support coordination of national and sector-wide initiatives relating to ageing and older persons.

6. Regional and International Engagement

• Coordinate NCOP engagement in regional and international ageing initiatives.
• Support Fiji’s participation in regional and international forums relating to ageing and older persons.
• Coordinate preparation of reports and submissions relating to ageing and older persons.
• Support Fiji’s voluntary national reporting on implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) and other relevant regional and international commitments.
• Liaise with regional and international organisations working on ageing-related issues.

7. Service Provider Registration and Sector Coordination

• Support maintenance and updating of the national register of organisations providing services to older persons.
• Coordinate stocktakes and mapping of organisations and facilities providing services to older persons.
• Facilitate engagement with service providers and stakeholders across the ageing sector.
• Support monitoring, coordination and strengthening of services available to older persons.
• Prepare reports and recommendations relating to service provision and sector development.

8. Governance and Secretariat Services

• Provide secretariat support to the NCOP Council and its committees.
• Coordinate preparation of agendas, papers, minutes, action registers and decision logs.
• Support implementation and follow-up of Council decisions and resolutions.
• Coordinate meetings, consultations, workshops, conferences and stakeholder engagements.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation and correspondence.
• Prepare progress reports, briefing papers and updates for the CEO and NCOP Council.eing and older persons.

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

9. Advocacy, Awareness and Communications

• Coordinate public awareness and advocacy initiatives promoting the rights, dignity, wellbeing and inclusion of older persons.
• Support observance of national, regional and international events relating to ageing and older persons.
• Assist in the development of communication materials, publications and information resources.
• Promote positive ageing and intergenerational solidarity through stakeholder engagement and public education activities.

 10. GEDSI and Safeguarding

• Apply Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles across all areas of work.
• Promote inclusive participation of older women, older persons with disabilities, caregivers and vulnerable groups.
• Apply safeguarding, ethical engagement and rights-based approaches in all activities involving older persons. 
• Comply with all safeguarding, confidentiality and organisational policies and procedures.

Deliverables:

• Effective coordination and monitoring of National Ageing Policy implementation in partnership with MWCSP and relevant stakeholders.
• Effective coordination and strengthening of District Councils of Older Persons (DCOPs) and Older Persons Associations across Fiji.
• Effective coordination of research, data collection and evidence generation relating to older persons, including preparation of Situation Analyses and related studies.
• Effective coordination of stakeholder engagement, consultations and partnerships involving government ministries, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, development partners, academic institutions, private sector organisations and community groups.
• Updated and maintained national register of organisations providing services to older persons.
• Effective coordination and support for legislative and policy development initiatives affecting older persons.
• Development of concept notes, partnership initiatives and resource mobilisation opportunities supporting NCOP priorities.
• Effective coordination of Fiji’s participation in regional and international ageing initiatives, including support for reporting obligations under MIPAA and other relevant frameworks.
• Timely and effective governance and secretariat support provided to NCOP Council and related committees.
• Regular progress reports, policy briefs, research summaries and programme updates prepared and submitted.
• Demonstrated integration of GEDSI, safeguarding and rights-based approaches across all areas of work.

Selection Criteria:

Essential

• A recognised tertiary qualification in humanities, education, law and justice, social sciences, psychology, health sciences, medicine, public administration, development studies, community development, social work, multidisciplinary studies, or a related discipline.
• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in programme and project coordination, policy implementation, stakeholder engagement, research, advocacy, governance, community development, social protection, human rights, ageing, health, disability, social services, or related fields within government, civil society, regional, international or development partner organisations.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex programmes, initiatives and geographically dispersed teams across national, divisional, district and community levels.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining partnerships with government ministries, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, development partners, academic and research institutions, private sector organisations and community-based organisations.
• Demonstrated experience in policy development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating national consultations, stakeholder engagement processes, conferences, workshops and community-based initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in research, data collection, analysis and report writing, including preparation of policy briefs, concept notes, project proposals, strategic reports and evidence-based recommendations.
• Sound understanding of ageing, social protection, community development, governance, public policy and human rights principles.
• Demonstrated understanding of the lived realities, challenges, aspirations and contributions of older persons in Fiji, including the diversity of experiences among older women and men, older persons with disabilities, caregivers and vulnerable older persons.
• Demonstrated understanding of the geographical, cultural and socio-economic circumstances of older persons across Fiji, particularly those living in rural, remote, maritime and outer-island communities, and the implications these have for service delivery, participation and inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience supporting boards, councils, committees or statutory bodies, including provision of governance and secretariat services.
• Strong written, analytical and oral communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with senior government officials, traditional and community leaders, development partners, academia, private sector organisations, service providers and older persons.
• Demonstrated understanding of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles and safeguarding requirements.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities and maintain high standards of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.
   

Desirable

• Knowledge of Fiji’s ageing sector, social protection systems, community structures and legislation affecting older persons.
• Experience working directly with older persons, community organisations, local government structures, vulnerable populations or social service programmes.
• Familiarity with regional and international frameworks relating to ageing and older persons, including the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA).
• Experience coordinating national reporting processes, situation analyses, research studies, assessments or international reporting obligations.
• Experience working with development partners and donor-funded programmes.
• Experience undertaking advocacy, public awareness and communications initiatives.
• Fluency in one or more of Fiji’s local languages, including iTaukei, Fiji Hindi and/or Rotuman, would be an advantage.
• Understanding of Fiji’s traditional governance structures, community networks and cultural protocols would be an advantage.
  
   

How to Apply:

Applications close on 30  June 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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