• Location: Nauru
• Monthly Remuneration: AUD15,000-AUD19,000 depending on experience, inclusive of superannuation plus additional monthly location allowance.
• Duration: 12 months with the possibility of an extension.

The World at Abt Global

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Global. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt Global is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you. Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity:

The Deputy Secretary for Health and Medical Services (DSHMS) is responsible for supporting the Secretary for Health and Medical Services in discharging the roles and responsibilities given to a Head of Department under Nauru law. This includes all strategic, policy, planning and operational aspects of the Nauru Department of Health and Medical Services and the in-country coordination and support of donor assistance to the Nauru health sector, with the aim of achieving an appropriate level of sustained and improving health services to all the people on Nauru, with a focus on preventative health interventions, as well as being a key provider of policy advice to the Nauru Department of Health and Medical Services.

Specific Duties:

Key roles and responsibilities will include:

A. Policy, Planning and Reporting

• Provide or coordinate quality health policy advice, considering what is relevant and applicable to Nauru, on all health matters.
• Identify and implement strategies to provide for the effective and efficient delivery of quality health services to the people of Nauru taking into consideration the National Sustainable Development Strategy (2019-30), Nauru National Budget, government policy, ministerial advice and other relevant reports and documents.
• Coordinate the monitoring and review of the of the Nauru Health Strategy (2021-25) and initiate preparation for the development of the next national health strategy, 2026-2030.
• Coordinate the development of annual operational plans to implement the health sector strategies identified, ensuring close collaboration and harmonisation with the Nauru Public Health Department.
• Manage the implementation of the operational plans to ensure the timely achievement of service targets and health sector goals.
• Progress the recommendations of the Workforce Plan to ensure the provision of a high quality of medical and nursing care through succession planning, performance management, professional development, and capacity building.
• Provide regular reports to the Secretary for Health and Medical Services, the Minister and other relevant Ministries as required on all aspects of the Department’s activities and provide feedback on variance from set targets.
• Prepare Ministerial Statements or replies to parliamentary questions as required.
• Coordinate and prepare the Annual Department Report for the Public Service, in collaboration with the Nauru Public Health Department.
• Provide input to Departmental Heads and to government and non-government forums on health matters.
• Attend national, regional, and international forums and provide information and reports as required regarding Nauru’s health situation, priorities and activities as requested by the Secretary for Health and Medical Services.

B. Financial Management:

• Support the Secretary for Health and Medical Services to prepare, monitor and evaluate annual budgets in consultation and collaboration with the Minister, departmental staff, Nauru Public Health Department and the Department of Finance and effectively manage the Department of Health and Medical Service’s financial resources.
• Coordinate and prepare the Department’s annual budget, as well as relevant donor funding allocations, in consultation and collaboration with the Minister, departmental staff, Nauru Public Health Department and the Ministry of Finance.
• Support the Secretary for Health and Medical Services to present the department budget to the National Development Committee, Cabinet and others as required.
• Monitor and control departmental expenditure.
• Evaluate budget performance.
• Support the Secretary for Health and Medical Services to report on expenditures to the Minister, Ministry of Finance, Cabinet, and parliamentary committees as required.

C. Leadership:

In conjunction with the Secretary for Health and Medical Services, provide capacity building and leadership to clinical, administrative, and allied health staff across the Department of Health and Medical Services encouraging all staff to work more effectively and efficiently together to maximise quality, patient safety and sustainability of service delivery.

Provide leadership, support and orientation to technical advisers and volunteers. Monitor and manage performance of advisers and quality of inputs.

• Work closely with the Department of Health and Medical Services Executive Team to build the management capacity within the Department.
• Coordinate the implementation of workforce development and training programs, including the DFAT’s scholarship program, Pacific Open Learning Health Network, and any other workforce development opportunities available through the Ministry of Health or donor support.
• Formulation of a transition and localisation plan for the Deputy Secretary role with the goal of moving to a “support adviser role” of a Nauru government funded officer.

D. Operational Management and Oversight:

Coordinate all current Nauru Department of Health and Medical Servicers strategic and operational activities. This will cover all aspects of health service delivery, including medical and pharmaceutical consumable provision, medical equipment maintenance, procurement of parts, capital works development and training, medical staffing assistance, and any health service development activity agreed with aid partners and/or requested by the Nauru Ministry of Health.

• Support the Secretary for Health and Medical Services to effectively manage all the Department’s human resources.
• Coordinate with the Chief Secretary’s Department on all human resource matters including the recruitment, termination, or discipline of employees.
• Coordinate performance reviews of staff as required.
• Undertake quality assurance activities.
• Manage, oversee, and coordinate the delivery of all Health Department services, including, hospital, allied health, administration, and support services.
• Work in close collaboration with the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Nauru Public Health Department to provide support, assistance and advice as required from time to time and to ensure harmonisation between the Departments.
• Support the coordination of the overseas medical referrals program, in particular the development of appropriate policies, cost saving measures and linkages to support an efficient and cost-effective overseas referrals program.
• Manage the relationships with stakeholders as required in relation to the health needs and provision of health services to residents and employees of the Regional Processing Centre on Nauru through the Nauru Department of Multicultural Affairs.

E. Donor Coordination & Management:

• Assist with the sourcing and coordination of donor technical assistance, funding, and aid programs for the Departments of the Ministry of Health.
• Coordinate and manage all aspects of donor activities in the health sector in Nauru to ensure appropriateness and contribution to the achievement of Nauru health strategies, priorities and service targets and health sector goals.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the appropriateness of donor inputs to the Nauru Health Sector.
• Provide advice to and work with donor agencies on priorities within the health sector.
• Provide leadership, support, and orientation to all technical advisers, visiting consultants and volunteers engaged to provide services to the Department.
• Monitor and manage the performance of advisers, visiting consultants and volunteers.

F. Long-Term Adviser Oversight and Coordination:

• Provide oversight and support to other long-term advisers in Nauru to ensure a coordinated and coherent approach to provision of technical assistance and implementation of health priorities.
• Support development and approval of long-term adviser work plans to ensure consistency and coordination across implementation.
• Provide regular updates and reporting to DFAT Post on long-term adviser priorities, activities, achievements, issues, and opportunities

Key Requirements:

Required Experience

• High level experience and a record of success in Health Service Management, supported by relevant tertiary qualifications.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Extensive experience in managing an organisation from a whole of health service delivery approach.
• Experience working at a high level of government and able to demonstrate an ability to work closely in a politically sensitive environment.
• Extensive experience working in a resource challenged area.
• Experience working in a cross-cultural environment.
• Experience working with international donor agencies.
• High level of knowledge of health issues of pacific island countries.
• High level of written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in project management.

Cultural & language requirements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to teamwork, coaching and mentoring in a cross-cultural context.
• Patience, tolerance, flexibility, and commitment to working in a cross-cultural environment, genuine interest in working in a resource challenged environment, adaptability.
• High level leadership and representation skills
• Commitment to teamwork, coaching and mentoring other people.
• Ability to live and work in a new cultural setting that is resource constrained and isolated.
• A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment

Desirable experience

• Previous experience living and working in a developing country (particularly in the Pacific or small island states) is desirable but not essential.

How to apply:

Please submit your application online on the Abt Global website attaching your resume/CV and a cover letter (as a single PDF document) addressing how you meet the key requirements of the role.

For any enquiries, please email us at [email protected], using the subject line: Deputy Secretary for Health and Medical Services - Nauru enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.

Abt is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce.

Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.