Human Resources Manager

Abt Global - Human Resources Manager

Suva, Fiji

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Job Description

Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)

• Locally Engaged Personnel - 12 months with possible extension
• Reserved for Fiji Nationals only
• Based in Suva, Fiji
• Please apply online by submitting a cover letter addressing how you meet the selection criteria of this role and up-to-date comprehensive CV.

Program Overview:

FPSP, also referred to as the ‘Platform’, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment, will contribute to the delivery of 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 will deliver key bilateral programs, such as health, education, scholarships, social infrastructure, governance, climate and emergency preparedness and response. Platform activities will identify and address climate risks, promote climate action, and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) across and beyond the sector programs.

The Platform has three functional Outcomes:

• The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including through supporting strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments.
• 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.
• 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.

Position Summary:

The HR Manager leads the FPSP HR team within the Platform Management Unit (PMU), providing strategic and operational HR support to the Platform and its sector programs across the full employee lifecycle – recruitment, onboarding, remuneration, performance, learning and development, employee relations, well-being and exit.

The role ensures HR practice comply with Fiji employment law, Abt Global policy and DFAT Head Contract requirements, while building a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture. Key focus areas include:

• Gender equity, diversity and inclusion
• Organisational culture and change management
• Leadership and staff development
• Workforce planning, succession and career pathways
• Performance management
• Recruitment and retention
• Employee relations and staff wellbeing

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leadership and HR strategy

• Lead a high performing HR team, aligning its work with the strategic priorities of FPSP and Abt Global; set and model high standards; and develop team members through ongoing guidance, mentoring and coaching.

• Act as a trusted HR business partner (HRBP) to the Platform Leader, Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and managers, providing strategic and operational advice on people matters; hold monthly HRBP meetings across the Platform.

• Establish and continuously review HR systems, structures and processes to improve efficiency, consistency and service delivery.

• Recruitment, onboarding and mobilisation

• Manage end-to-end recruitment function, including contracting, mobilisation onboarding, induction, demobilisation with support from Abt home office.

• Develop and report against recruitment and contracting service level agreements (SLAs) and key metrics (e.g. time to hire, vacancy rates, turnover).

• Deliver induction and orientation programs for new starters, using standard checklists and ATLAS to improve efficiency

• Manage external recruitment service providers.

• Remuneration and job architecture

• Ensure positions are established against the Abt Job Architecture and aligned with Abt’s Fiji Compensation Framework.

• Coordinate annual CPI increase for national staff, equity reviews and adjustments, ensuring internal equity, market alignment, consideration of performance and appropriate approvals.

• Performance management

• Lead the FPSP performance management framework and coordinate the annual ATLAS performance planning and review cycle, in line with Abt’s systems and processes; lead the Adviser Performance Assessment process in accordance with DFAT requirements.

• Advice and support managers on performance management, probation, coaching, counselling and disciplinary matters.

• Lead on support the management of employee relations matters, including grievances, disputes and workplace investigations, ensuring procedural fairness and compliance with Fiji employment law and Abt policy.

• Learning and development

• Complete annual training needs analysis and develop and deliver an annual learning and development (L&D) calendar.

• Promote participation in L&D opportunities and monitor mandatory compliance training completion, ensuring 100% completion rates.

• Policy, compliance and reporting

• Ensure HR services comply with Fiji labour laws and regulations, Abt policies and procedures, and DFAT Head Contract, including maintenance and retention of HR records in ATLAS.

• Support the development, implementation and review of HR policies and procedures, identifying opportunities for improvement and standardisation across the Platform.

• Oversee the collection, maintenance and analysis of HR data to support reporting to the SLT and external reporting requirements, including trends and emerging HR issues.

• Act as a champion for ATLAS and contribute to its ongoing development and implementation.

• Safeguarding and wellbeing

• Working closely with the Safeguards team, embed Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and child protection requirements across recruitment, screening, induction and staff conduct processes.

• Manage the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and promote staff wellbeing and work health and safety across the Platform.

• Other duties as required by the Operations Lead.

Key Deliverables:

• Annual ATLAS performance planning and review cycle completed on time for all eligible staff.
• Annual training needs analysis and L&D calendar developed and delivered within agreed timeframes.
• Recruitment and contracting SLAs and metrics established and reported to the SLT regularly.
• FPSP HR Operations Manuals reviewed and aligned with Fiji employment law and Abt policy within agreed timeframes.
• Accurate and timely HR reporting provided to the SLT and prepared for Program reports.
• Employee relations matters managed fairly, consistently and within agreed timeframes.

Key Working Relationships:

• Platform Leader, Senior Leadership Team (Platform and Sector Programs) and Executive Support Unit
• Platform Management Unit teams and Sector Program teams
• Abt Home Office: Senior HR Business Partner, Delivery, Finance, Legal and Risk teams
• Australian High Commission, Suva Post (DFAT)
• External service providers e.g. EAP and recruitment provider

Selection Criteria:

• Essential
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management (HRM), Industrial Relations, Business Administration (BA), Management or a related discipline.
• A postgraduate qualification in Human Resource Management or related field is desirable.
• Minimum 10 years HR experience in a Senior HR management or advisory role within a complex organisation.
• Sound working knowledge of Fiji employment legislation, including the Employment Relations Act 2007, and its practical application.
• Demonstrated experience managing employee relations matters, including grievances, disciplinary processes and workplace investigations.
• Proven experience leading and developing a team delivering HR or client support services.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to interpret workforce data and translate findings into practical solutions.
• Experience with HR information systems, processes and procedures, and strong MS Office skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and influence at all levels.
• Experience in the international development sector, a public enterprise, statutory body or governance agency.
• Experience with remuneration frameworks, job evaluation or salary review processes.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to ongoing professional development.