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Information for Candidates

Capital InfrastructureDirector

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Message from the Vice-Chancellor

About Fiji National University

Job Description

Person Specification

Application Process

About Fiji

Information for Candidates 1

Message from the Vice-Chancellor

Bula! I am pleased that you are considering this important senior management role at Fiji National University (FNU). FNU is

a young and dynamic university, with deep roots that reach back to the 19th Century. Although the university was only formed in 2010, its constituent colleges date back to 1885, when Suva Medical School was established. Today FNU is a ‘dual sector’ university, offering technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and higher education, from certificates to doctorates. With six campuses in Suva, and one each in Nadi, Lautoka, Ba and Labasa, plus a number of smaller training centres, FNU provides nationwide access to tertiary education. Uniquely, FNU is also home to the National Training and Productivity Centre, which provides training to employees funded through a national payroll levy paid by all employers, and Fiji Maritime Academic, which trains the nation’s ship captains and navigators.

FNU has a clear vision to provide education and training which is aimed at employability – either to ensure that new graduates are highly employable, or to assist those already in work to advance their careers. All our colleges have strong vocational roots. FNU trains the nation’s doctors, dentists and nurses, its accountants and managers, its teachers, its engineers and technicians, its veterinarians and agronomists. It is vital that, as the country’s national university, FNU’s programmes are co-designed with employers to meet their needs and underpinned by relevant, applied research which aligns with our national priorities.

FNU is seeking to make a number of senior management appointments to drive us forward to the 135th anniversary of its founding in 2020. We are seeking to build a high-performing senior management team, which can lead FNU into the next stage of its development, as the national provider of comprehensive, integrated and employment-focused tertiary education and training and the heart of the nation’s capacity to undertake research which transforms lives and society.

If you are seeking an opportunity to join a vibrant, multiracial, multinational team which is committed to supporting the economic and social development of Fiji, the South Pacific’s ‘hub economy’, we look forward to hearing from you.

Vinaka vakelevu.

Professor Nigel HealeyVice Chancellor

Fiji National University (FNU) was formed in 2010, following the merger of the six government tertiary institutions in Fiji – Fiji School of Medicine (founded 1885), Fiji School of Nursing

(founded 1893), Fiji College of Advanced Education (founded 1947), Fiji College of Agriculture (founded 1954). Fiji Institute of Technology (founded 1963), and Lautoka Teachers College (founded 1978). In 2011, the Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji (established in 1973) became part of FNU as the National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC).

Today the university is structured into five major colleges:• CollegeofAgriculture,FisheriesandForestry• CollegeofBusiness,HospitalityandTourism Studies• CollegeofEngineering,ScienceandTechnology• CollegeofHumanitiesandEducation• CollegeofMedicine,NursingandHealthSciences

plus:• NationalTrainingandProductivityCentre• FijiMaritimeAcademy• FijiAviationAcademy(underdevelopment, jointly with Fiji Airways)

2 Director Capital Infrastructure

The university has approximately 20,000 regular students in its five colleges, plus another 10,000 employees who undertake short courses with NTPC. In addition, the university runs a special community programme for citizens in rural villages, which has trained over 10,000 people in the last two years in a range of basic skills.

FNU is in a period of ambitious development. We are currently building a state-of-the-art campus in Labasa on Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second most populated island. This will provide a range of technology-enabled programmes to support the development of the country’s ‘Northern Division’. On Viti Levu, the main island, we are constructing new laboratories, an animal hospital and purpose-built instructional facilities to create a regional centre of excellence for veterinary science.

As a small island nation of just under a million people, Fiji has always reached out to the world and played a full part in the global trading economy. For FNU, our international partnerships with peer institutions in Australia, New Zealand and further afield are critical to accelerating the development of our curricula and our

staff. We work closely with universities and colleges across the region to exchange ideas and best practices and provide opportunities for our staff to gain professional development and upgrade their qualifications.

FNU is committed to underpinning the nation’s rapid economic development, working with employers to ensure that our manpower needs are met in the burgeoning tourism, renewable energy, telecommunications and manufacturing sectors. At the same time, our researchers are working on interdisciplinary projects to address the country’s priorities, in terms of combatting non-communicable diseases (obesity, diabetes and heart disease), promoting climate adaptation for the Pacific’s low-lying islands and moving the country’s production up the value chain.

Fiji is undergoing a period of unprecedented economic growth and social development. As the national university, FNU is proud to be one of the critical drivers of growth, by providing the human capital and technological knowhow needed for continued success.


Director Capital Infrastructure

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Capital and Infrastructure Works

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Director in the University are:

• Managingtheplanning,designandconstructionofUniversityfacilities.• ServingasUniversityfocalpointwithresponsibilityfordirectionandimplementationofprojectstodesign professionals including architects, engineer, general contractors, local authorities and construction management firms.• Effectivelymanagestakeholderrelationships(bothinternalandexternal)bybuildingandmaintaining cooperative relationships, influencing through the demonstration of expertise and ensuring that appropriate consultation processes are managed to deliver the required outcomes.• Leadanddirectthedeliveryofallcapitalandinfrastructureworksprojectsensuringthattheseprojectsare completed on time, without personnel unrest and within budget/contractual conditions.• Conductsreviewsoffacilitiesplansaspreparedbydesignconsultants,andoverseeminorandmajorCapital Projects enduring compliance with applicable codes, policies and procedures and college standards.• Responsibleformanagingbudgetsandrecordkeeping;personnelmanagementifapplicable;contract managementandenforcement;projectschedule,constructioncompliancewithapplicablecodes,required inspections and the legal requirements for the construction of educational facilities.

The incumbent is responsible for planning, and managing new capital projects on behalf of the University. He/shewillworkcloselywithappropriatemembersoftheSMG,designprofessionals,localauthoritiesandconstruction managers in the planning, development and completion of major and minor institutional

construction projects. The incumbent is responsible for the development and management of people and budgets in support of the planning, design and completion of the university’s construction objectives.

Position Type: 3 Year Employment ContractReporting to: Vice ChancellorStaff Responsible to you: Departmental Managers


Position Purpose

Scope of Work

The Director Capital Infrastructure manages, through the effective leadership qualities and project management skills, the completion of all aspects of FNU’s capital projects. As a consequence, the University will construct well designedandbuiltfacilitiesinasafeandhealthyenvironment.He/shewilldevelopandmonitorbudgets,negotiatecontracts with external parties, effectively monitor the performance of contractors and subcontractors and manage a wide range of other government and private sector stakeholders.


• Manageandmonitorsexpendituresofthecapitalbudgetforeachproject,andreviewsandrecommends payment of invoices, adherence to construction contracts, attends pre-bid, pre-construction, project design and construction meetings.• Preparingstatusreportswithinitialestimates,directingandevaluatingtheperformanceofdesign consultants, contractors and construction managers through periodic inspections and directing daily supervision.• Providingstaffsupportandattendingmeetingofboards,council,committeesandothergroupsrelatingto departmentactivitiesrequiringattendance.Respondingtoinquiriesandperformingresearchactivitiesas requested by the Vice Chancellor.• Performsotherdutiesasassigned.

Senior Management: • Aspartoftheseniormanagementteam,providesupporttoachieveUniversityobjectivesandtargets.• Responsibleforthedeliveryofstrategyandplanningwithinthefunctionalareaofresponsibilityand ensuring strong alignment to both university wide strategic, operational plans and business plans. • Provideleadershipinorganisationalissuesthatmayextendbeyondtheboundariesofthefunctionalarea of responsibility.• Benchmarkingandlinkingbestpracticewithactualperformanceinqualitysystems,measuresandculture\ within the functional area.• OverseethemasterplanforthefuturedevelopmentofFNU’sestate,developschedules,costestimatesfor projects within the approved master plan and coordinate the master plan and development schedule.

Financial Management• Preparesandadministerstheannualcapitalbudget,effectivecostcontrol.• Draft,implementandmaintainthedivisionalbudget.• Ensurestrongfinancialresponsibilityandaccountabilityacrosscapitalprojectsanddevelopandimplement financial strategies that will ensure budgetary targets and key performance indicators are achieved.

Human Resource Management• Managedivisionalstaffthrougheffectiverecruitment,retention,recognitionanddevelopmentstrategies and ensure effective consultation and communication processes are in place.

Person specificationThis challenging leadership role requires demonstrated extensive managerial and leadership experience and the ability to lead and respond strategically to the changing Fijian and global tertiary education environment. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a commitment to building an organisational culture that encourages innovation, a customer-centred responsiveness to national and regional stakeholder needs and integrity and trust.

Qualifications: Relevant postgraduate qualification in any of the following areas: Engineering, Architecture,Building/Construction and ideally professional qualifications expected of an executive-level managerial appointment that will command respect and credibility in a national university, as well as with the University’s stakeholder community,includingtheFijiHigherEducationCommission,keygovernmentministries,employersandtheFijiNational University Students’ Association.

Experience: Demonstrable experience in providing outstanding organisational leadership and management, including:

•Thecapacitytodevelopandimplementstrategyandtoinitiateandimplementchangeinacomplex,multiculturalenvironment. •Theabilitytoidentifyandassessappropriateopportunitiesandpartnershipstostrengthentheresourcebaseandreputation of the University. •Experienceineffectivemanagementoffinancialandhumanresources,includingstaffplanning,recruitmentandperformance management and a sound knowledge of business principles.•Thecapacitytoworkacrossorganisationalboundariestoachieveagreedcorporateoutcomes.

Leadership style, empowering others, making decisions: Demonstrates an effective, culturally-sensitive leadership style that addresses the challenges of the role whilst promoting the value and culture of aHigherEducation Institution. Evidence of the ability to mentor and empower direct reports and take informed, evidence-based decisions.

Planning and managing for results: Experience of developing strategic and operational plans and demonstrable success in implementing such plans, with evidence of evaluation and corrective action as necessary.

Influencing and networking skills: Demonstrable ability to influence the decisions, actions or perceptions of others. The ability to build collaborative networks and deep collaborative links with key stakeholder groups in a multicultural environment.

Communication skills: The ability to organise and present information, views and concepts in a concise, understandable, interesting and culturally-aware format for a variety of audiences, in a way which ensures that staff and stakeholders are consulted and well-informed.

Knowledge of tertiary education: An understanding of contemporary tertiary education issues and the implications of these on portfolio responsibilities and more broadly for the management of universities. An awareness of the context of tertiary education in a developing region including the Pacific is an advantage. A demonstrable commitment to the importance of both post-secondary technical and vocational education, as well as higher education.


Application processThe University seeks written documents from candidates wishing to apply for the role. Candidates are required to provide:

•AfullCurriculum Vitae, including (for academic roles) a full list of publications, external research grants and postgraduate students supervised to completion.•Acoveringletterofapplicationaddressingeachofthepersonspecificationsabove,evidencinghowyour qualifications and experience meet the requirements.•Threereferees,withfullcontactdetails,includingtelephonenumbersande-mailaddresses.Candidateshould state their relationship with each referee (eg, line manager, former postgraduate supervisor).

Start date

Candidates are asked to provide an indication of the earliest date at which they would be available to take up the appointment, if successful (eg, one month, three months).

Refereeswillonlybecontactedafterpriorconsultationwiththecandidate.Itisthecandidate’sresponsibilitytoensure that their referees are willing to provide reports when contacted.

The University reserves the right to seek reports on the suitability of candidates from experts in the field, other than those nominated by the candidate. Appointment is also subject to a pre-employment security check and health check.


About FijiFiji is the most developed country in the South Pacific and serves as the region’s economic hub. It has

experienced rapid economic growth in recent years and tourism, manufacturing and services have replaced traditional primary industries like mining and agriculture as the main drivers of economic development. The

business and political capital, Suva, is a thriving multicultural city of over 0.3m. Located on the southeast coast of Viti Levu, Suva enjoys modern shopping malls, movie theatres, restaurants and cafes.

Fiji is located in the heart of the South Pacific, with more than 330 islands, of which 100 are permanently inhabited and more than 500 islets. The people of Fiji are well-known for their friendly personality, great hospitality and regarded as the happiest people on earth. Fiji has a rich culture and tradition. It is a former British colony and maintains its close ties through the commonwealth. It has two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, with the majority of the almost 1m population residing on Viti Levu.

Fiji Demographics

Fiji’s population is comprised mostly of iTaukei’s (native Fijians) at just over 56%, with around 36% made up by Indo-Fijians who are descended from Indian labourers brought to the islands by the British in the late 19th and early 20th century. The rest of Fiji’s population are Rotumans, who are natives of Rotuma (incorporatedinto Fiji after independence in 1970), Fijians of Chinese and European descent and expatriates.


Religion

Fiji is a secular society and the constitution guarantees religious tolerance. While the majority of Fijians follow Christianity,Hinduism,Islam,Sikhism,Buddhismarewidely practised. Fiji marks the key dates of the major religionswithaPublicHoliday(eg,Christmas,Easter,Diwali, Prophet’s Birthday).

Government

Fiji has a Westminster-style democracy. The present governing party is Fiji First, a multiracial party led by Rear Admiral (Retired) Hon. Josaia VoreqeBainimarama, which was elected in 2014 and holds a majority in the 50-seat parliament. Fiji First has undertaken an ambitious range of reforms designed to transform Fiji into a vibrant and growing economy and unite the nation through the government’s ‘One Fiji Policy’, which provides for equal citizenry status for all Fijians regardless of ethnicity.

Fiji is the transport hub of the South Pacific. It is well-connected with direct flights to most major Australian andNewZealandcities,HongKong,Singapore,Seoul,and San Francisco and Los Angeles. Fiji’s international airline. Fiji Airways, has code-sharing arrangements with Qantas, Air Zealand, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Jet Airways and Solomon Airlines which provide access to a global network of international connections. Nadi International Airport has just completed a major upgrade, with world-class facilities including a brand-new departures lounge, departures check-in terminal, arrivals and departures immigration areas, additional carousels and new business class lounges. Nadi International Airport receives 2m passengers annually.

Accessibility


Climate

Fiji enjoys a mild tropical climate averaging 31ºC (88ºF) during the summer months of November to April and 29ºC (84ºF) during the winter months of May to October.

English is the official language of Fiji and is universally spoken. iTaukeis also speak the native Fijian dialect, while FijiansofIndianoriginspeakFiji-Hindi.Giventhecloseintegrationbetweenthetwocommunities,manyFijiansare fluent in both vernacular languages, as well as English.

Language


Here are some Fijian words to get you started.

English Fijian PronunciationHello/hi nisabula neesarbulaGoodmorning nisayadra neesaryarndraGoodbye samoce samoretheyPlease yalo vinaka yarlo veenarkaExcuse me tulou too lowYes io ee orThank you/good vinaka veenarkaThank you very much vinaka vaka levu veenarka varka levooMuch/big levu levooNo sega sengaEat kana karnaVillage koro ko roA little/small vaka lailai va ka lie lieGreat/alot vakalevu vakalevooFast vaka totolo va ka tortorloSlowly vaka malua va ka mar luaHouse vale valeWashroom (Toilet) vale lailai va le lie lieCome lako mai la ko myGo lakotani lakotaniOne dua du aTwo rua ru aOne more dua tale du a ta le

Quick facts• FijiaretheinauguralGoldMedalwinnersinthe7’srugbycompetitionattheRioOlympics.• FormerWorldNumber1golferVijaySinghisfromNadi,westernpartofFiji.• MountTomaniviwhichis1,324metres(4,344ft)isFiji’shighestmountain.MtTomanivi,previously namedMountVictoria,isanextinctvolcanolocatedinthenorthernhighlandsofVitiLevu.• Globalbottlewaterbrand,FijiWaterisbottledinFiji.• Fiji’sfarthestislandOno-i-LauisclosertoTongathentoFiji’smainislandVitiLevu.• FijiwasbatteredbythesecondmostpowerfulCategory5CycloneintheworldinFeb,2016.• ThewordBulaisusedtogreetpeoplesimilartoHiorHello.• Fiji’straditionalwayofpreparingmealsiscalledLovo.Themealsarepreparedinanearthoven.• Fiji’smainforeignexchangeearnerisTourismandremittancesfromFijianslivingabroad.• ThepeopleofBeqaislandinFijiareknownasthefirewalkers.Thesevillagershavetheabilitytoworkon stonesheatedinfirewithoutanyinjurytotheirfeetorbody.


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