• Lead the largest bilateral infrastructure program in Solomon Islands
• Competitive salary + benefits for the right candidate
• Dynamic working environment
• Provide strategic leadership, identify and seize opportunities, drive key partner agency engagement and coordination, and help strengthen the Government of Australia and Solomon Islands Government partnership.

About the Program

The Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) is a flagship 10 year infrastructure program funded by the Australian Government. Launched in mid-2021, SIIP aims to improve the quality and accessibility of economic infrastructure to contribute to broad-based, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Solomon Islands. After SIIP, it is expected that:

• Solomon Islands will have enhanced capacity to plan, manage, finance, construct and maintain critical economic infrastructure.
• the program will have left a legacy of high profile, resilient and accessible infrastructure assets in a range of sectors across the country that support inclusive economic growth.

Overview of the Role

The Team Leader will provide strategic leadership to the program, drive key partner agency engagement and coordination, and facilitate the strengthening of the Government of Australia and Solomon Islands Government (SIG) partnership. They will ensure collaboration and coherence across the program, enabling identification and seizure of opportunities for impact, and provide astute and timely insight and advice to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). They will guide improvements in the planning and management of capital projects by SIG agencies, support the development of a legislative and administrative reform agenda to improve policies, regulatory structures and planning for infrastructure investment, and oversee projects delivered directly by the program.

About You

The SIIP Team Leader will have a comprehensive understanding of development program implementation. Their high-level leadership and management skills and experience will enable them to set program direction and coordinate various specialist program components toward a higher objective. Refined communication and mediation skills will enable them to manage the competing demands of stakeholders and partners, and develop effective relationships with senior government and the private sector.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide high-level strategic leadership and oversight of Program scope, ensuring Program activities align with the program goals, SIG priorities and DFAT direction and Head Contracted standards.
• Proactively develop partnerships and strategic initiatives in close collaboration with DFAT and SIG partners.
• Direct programmatic policy dialogue, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement with DFAT, national counterparts, development partners, the private sector and civil society.
• Provide technical strategic advice to DFAT relating to design and implementation of Program activities, engagement with the Solomon Islands Infrastructure sector, recruitment and provision of technical assistance and other program activities.
• Provide oversight of in-country Program teams to ensure sound financial management, administration and logistics support for the program.
• Oversee the preparation of all Program planning, reporting and operational processes, including key knowledge and communications documents.

Key Selection Criteria

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant area such as: International Development, Engineering, Economics, Public Financial Management or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years experience in a leadership role, with core competencies in effective management, capacity building, mentoring and coordination of multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement experience and representation skills, with proven ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with key senior government and private sector stakeholders.
• Thorough practical and conceptual knowledge of how to address challenges relating to the planning, financing, delivery and maintenance of infrastructure in developing countries, ideally in the Pacific.
• Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills to reason through problems, complex issues and risks, anticipate barriers and create practical solutions.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

To access the full Terms of Reference detailing the role, responsibilities and selection criteria for this position, click here.

How to Apply?

We welcome your interest in joining the SIIP team. Please click Apply Now to apply and submit your application online, your application must include:

1. A cover letter (2 pages or fewer)
2. Your CV
3. A SIIP application form, click here

This contract role is unaccompanied until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions. Once Cardno determine that it is safe, accompanied deployments will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with our occupational immunisation policy and any requirements of Solomon Islands Government.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities, LGBTQ+, women, mature age workers and people with different abilities.

Cardno is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse, Exploitation and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection, fraud and bribery prevention. We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach, you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All Cardno staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to safer working culture.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Team Leader - Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program enquiry via EthicalJobs.

About the Solomon Islands

Situated in the South Pacific between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands extends over 990 islands and has a population of approximately 721,000 people. Local customs and traditions remain a very important part of life for Solomon Islanders. The program office is located in the capital Honiara, with a population of about 130,000, however the majority of Solomon Islanders live in rural villages. Agriculture, forestry and tourism are important sectors of the economy.

About Cardno

We are a global provider of integrated professional services which enrich the physical and social environment for the communities in which we live and work. Our team of multidisciplinary specialists has more than 70 years’ experience in designing, developing and delivering sustainable projects and community advancement programs.

Cardno ID (International Development) has extensive experience managing a number of donor-funded programs in the Asia Pacific region. We engage in international development as a holistic, multidisciplinary and integrated process. Strengthened by our geographic and market diversity, we are committed to providing innovative and integrated solutions that create opportunities for significant, lasting change in emerging economies. Collaborating with multilateral and bilateral donors, private clients, governments and communities to develop sustainable solutions to complex challenges, we work with local counterparts to achieve meaningful impact.

Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program is supported by the Australian Government and implemented by Cardno.