Background: 

The Landcare Project, funded by ACIAR, aims to strengthen community-based natural resource management through the Landcare approach through an extension model known as Livelihood Improvement through Facilitator Extension (LIFE). The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall coordination, implementation, and management of the Landcare Project in accordance with ACIAR guidelines and partner institution policies. The role involves overseeing project planning, monitoring, stakeholder engagement, financial management, and reporting to ensure the successful delivery of project outcomes. The role will liaise with project partners and oversees all Fiji project sites and activities. Implement mentoring activities. The project promotes sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, resilience among farming communities, and improve livelihoods. It fosters partnerships between local stakeholders such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Waterways (MOA&W),  NGO (TeiTei Taveuni), research institutions, and University of Philippines to enhance land productivity and community livelihoods. The project will be delivered in three case study communities (Taveuni Island ~300 households, Sigatoka River catchment ~900 households and Labasa region ~400 households) and at the national level through a brokered trilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Fiji. The district (community) level testing will focus on how Landcare can build community capacity, extend networks, and strengthen institutional partnerships. At the institutional level, the testing will focus on how the social, collective, and networking characteristics of Landcare and LIFE can be integrated into Ministry of Agriculture and NGO (Tei Tei Taveuni) programming based on the knowledge exchange from the Philippines.                                                                                                                                                                

Community facilitators and farmer leaders employed through the project and hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and farmer groups (e.g. Tei Tei Taveuni), will assess the resources, skills, and experience available in the respective study communities; identify issues with community members to action; and then determine with the community how to take appropriate action. Findings will inform theory, practice and policy and more widely the global extension discourse. Findings will be communicated through Working/Policy Papers, website, joint publication of journal papers, conference presentations, seminars, regional forums and a National Forum. Participating in small holder farmers will develop, share and implement more sustainable ways of managing land and water resources, conserving biodiversity and creating sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, through targeted project activities farmers and their communities will strengthen their existing social capital for stronger partnerships and networks and be better positioned to cope with and recover from stresses such as climate change. This highlights the role that community groups can make (i.e. collective action) in identifying and addressing locally relevant natural resource and land management priorities.

Key functions of the role include:

• Oversee and coordinate project planning, implementation, and networking amongst research partners.
• Support project monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities to ensure evidence-based reporting and adaptive project management.
• Provide liaison to RMIT project team, including project updates and risk management.
• Collaborate on the project research program within FNU.
• Facilitate communication and networking between project sites and partner research teams.
• Broker and facilitate networking with Philippine partners.
• Partnership building - manage and enhance existing partnerships and developing new partnerships to support project research goals.
• Liaise closely with planning and delivery of the International Conference organizers and partners, and
• Support donor reporting and project administration tasks.

Person Specification: 

Essential:

• Master’s degree or higher qualification in social science discipline (such as development studies), agriculture, natural resource management or equivalent.

Desirable:

• Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience in project management will be of added advantage.

This project-based position is scheduled to conclude on 30 April 2027.

Salary: FJD57,000.00 gross per annum plus 10% superannuation

To explore the post further or for any queries you may contact:

Application Details

All applications are to include:
 
• A letter of application addressing each of the criterion listed under the Person Specification more specifically the Essential and Desirable criteria. This application letter will form the main basis for shortlisting. Failure to provide the application letter will result in your application not being considered. 

• A detailed CV with three referees full contact details (telephone numbers and email addresses). Candidate should state their relationship with each referee (e.g. line manager, former postgraduate supervisor). 

• Copies of academic transcripts and certificates that are of relevance to the qualification requirements of the advertised position.

All applications must be submitted online using the University’s online job applications system which can be accessed at this address: https://careers.fnu.ac.fj .

Applications sent via email or manually for all positions will not be accepted.

Should you have any queries on the advertised opportunity or face difficulty in submitting the application online, please email the following:

1. HR Partner (email ID stated in the advertisement): For any queries regarding the advertised position.
2. hrat@fnu.ac.fj : For any assistance with the online application or technical issues.
3. vacancy2@fnu.ac.fj : For other queries regarding the advertised position, expression of interest or FNU careers.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted by Fiji National University, then your application has not been successful.

FNU is an equal opportunity employer. Preference is given to applicants holding Fiji citizenship. International applicants may be considered.