Background: 

Fiji National University (FNU), through the College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF), is leading a range of initiatives focused on strengthening agricultural extension, sustainable rural development, applied research, and community capacity building across Fiji and the Pacific region. As part of this broader direction, FNU has established the South Pacific Extension and Development Institute (SPEDI). SPEDI is intended to serve as a regional platform for extension leadership, applied research, training, partnership development, and knowledge exchange, supporting sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods, climate resilience, and community development outcomes across the Pacific.

The establishment and early operationalization of SPEDI is being supported through several collaborative initiatives, including the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded Fiji Landcare Project. This project involves partnerships between Fiji, the Philippines, and Australia and is focused on testing and adapting agricultural extension approaches, including the Landcare and Livelihood Improvement through Facilitated Extension (LIFE) models, within the Fiji context.

Purpose

SPEDI is seeking a Development Officer to lead the practical, on-the-ground establishment of three flagship initiatives: an innovation incubation hub, a model farm to trial and demonstrate innovations, and three climate-smart model villages in Fiji. The Development Officer will work under the direction of the Acting Director, SPEDI, and will take these initiatives from concept to operation, coordinating stakeholders, managing resources, and reporting on progress. The role also covers other development and implementation duties assigned by the Acting Director as SPEDI's work program evolves. The role will also support delivery of activities associated with the ACIAR-funded Fiji Landcare Project and other SPEDI-related initiatives, including stakeholder engagement, training coordination, reporting, partnership development, and institutional capacity building.

Expected Deliverables

The work will entail but not be restricted to the following:

Person Specification: 

Essential:

• A Bachor Degree in the relevant field (e.g. agricultural extension, development studies, rural sociology, agribusiness).
• At least 3-5 years of leadership experience in academic, research & development, or extension-related institutions.

Desirable:

• Preferred PostGraduate Diploma in a relevant field (e.g., agricultural extension, development studies, rural sociology, agribusiness).

Skills & Knowledge:

• Proven experience establishing or coordinating programs, hubs, farms, or field sites from concept to operation.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including government, community, and private sector partners.
• Working knowledge of climate-smart agriculture and community resilience approaches.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and project management tools; data analysis skills (e.g., SPSS, NVivo) an advantage.
• Sound financial and administrative skills to manage budgets and resources.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently in the field and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Fluency in English; iTaukei and/or Fiji Hindi an advantage.

Salary: FJD52,000 gross per annum (externally funded through Fund Code: FA134) subject to applicable statutory deductions (employer FNPF contribution, employee FNPF contribution and provisional tax)

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.


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.