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Assistant Director


Pacific Fusion Centre


Applications closed Sunday, 14 May 2023


● Engage yourself in this exciting opportunity with Pacific Fusion Centre!

● Contract full-time position open to Nationals of a Forum Island Country only

● Based in Port Vila


The Organisation

The Pacific Fusion Centre was established in 2018 to support PIF Leaders deliver on the security priorities articulated in the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security. It operated on an interim basis from Canberra, Australia from September 2019, and commenced operations from Port Vila in December 2021. The Centre hosts Pacific Island analyst secondees and publishes open-source strategic assessments, which are accessible by all Pacific officials.

The Centre’s mission is to support the delivery of regional security outcomes by enhancing information sharing, building analysis and assessment capacity, and fostering a productive network of Pacific security stakeholders. The Centre aspires to be the regional centre of excellence in open-source strategic security assessments, capacity building, and information sharing.


The Position

The Assistant Director will work closely with the Director PFC to embed the Centre’s reputation for excellence and collaboration, building effective working partnerships across the Pacific security community, including with all government national security agencies in Pacific Island Countries as a priority, and with relevant regional organisations as appropriate. They will have demonstrated strategic leadership and management skills to contribute to the Centre’s policy direction, deliver quality programs and foster a high-performance culture within a multi-disciplinary team. They will have a clear-eyed view of the Pacific region’s security interests, including the Boe Declaration priorities and new and emerging security threats, and act as Director of the Centre in the Director’s absence.

This is a fixed-term opportunity based in Port Vila for a duration of up to 2 years with a possible 12 month extension (August 2023 – August 2025).

Applicants must be a national of a Forum Island country (i.e. a national of one of the following countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu)


Essential Selection Criteria

► A relevant undergraduate degree in political sciences, law, international relations, social sciences, finance, business administration, management or related area.

► A post graduate degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Security, International Development, Public Sector Management or similar field of study is desirable.

► A minimum of ten years' experience in senior public sector management, or international or regional organization management.

► Proven experience of involvement in policy processes, planning, and/or in driving policy changes.

► Senior leadership experience, preferably in a relevant Pacific government agency, regional agency or organisation.

► Demonstrated networking and stakeholder management skills, including liaison with Ministers, senior government officials, business leaders and academia.

► Demonstrated ability to shape strategic direction and achieve results.

► Demonstrated ability to problem solve using sound judgement while managing risks.

► Demonstrated management of substantial resources, including financial and people.

► A commitment to diversity, innovation and continuous improvement.

► Demonstrated understanding of Pacific security priorities. Experience in a relevant government agency, security agency or organisation will be an advantage.

► Demonstrated understanding of the regional political landscape, and opportunities and challenges for the Pacific Region.

► Demonstrated understanding of international legal frameworks, regional architecture, and regional engagement processes.

► Demonstrated skills in negotiation, advocacy and representation. An ability to communicate convincingly with influence.

► Outstanding interpersonal, cross-cultural communication and team leadership skills.

► Displays personal resilience and maintains integrity.


As this is an Australian Government funded position, the Assistant Director will be required to comply with Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade safeguard policies and any other policies specific to their placement.

The successful applicant may be required to comply with any relevant COVID-19 requirements.

Job Description


Apply Online

Applications for this role must be submitted online using the link below.


Do NOT email your application.


Applications closed Sunday, 14 May 2023


Link-849

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