fnu.ac.fj

Information for Candidates

Human ResourcesDirector

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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 to 30,000 students. 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.

The University is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Human Resources to join its dynamic new Senior Management Group. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor and with a team of 50 human resource support staff, the new Director will lead the reform of the University’s human resources policies and help to build a talented, high-performing workforce. This is a challenging senior executive role and one that will require the ability to lead major organisational change.

If you are seeking an opportunity to join a vibrant, multiracial senior leadership team that 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)

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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.

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Director Human Resources

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

•ServeasatrustedadvisortotheViceChancellorandtheSeniorManagementGroupofdeansanddirectorson strategic / HR matters by providing strategic advice and direction to colleagues and staff across the university.

•BeanactiveparticipantinsettingthestrategicdirectionofFNUandbuildingHRstrategiesthatsupportthe achievement of its aims and objectives.

•LeadinmanagingmajororganisationalchangeprocessesthatarerequiredtoinvigorateFNU’sinstitutional culture and deliver on its strategic objectives.

•ProvideleadershipoftheHRfunction,includingcompensationandbenefits,professionaldevelopment, organisational development, risk management and a college-based HR business partners.

•ReviewandimprovetheeffectivenessofHRprocessesandproceduresandreform/rebuildexistingprocessesto deliver more effective outcomes for the institution.

•DeviseaprogressiveHRpolicystructurethatisappropriatetoFNU’sevolutiontowardsbecomingahigh performing organisation.

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

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Position Purpose

Scope of Work

On behalf of the Vice Chancellor provide FNU with strategic leadership in all human capital related matters as the University evolves its culture and processes from start-up phase towards becoming a mature, high performing institution. He/she will direct all of the people functions and be responsible for the strategic

human resource planning required to drive organisational effectiveness and provide the institution with the best people talent available and to position it as the employer of choice in Fiji. This will be achieved by being aware of the best practice policies and trends within the higher education industry and implementing appropriate best practice at FNU. Functional expertise will be achieved in compensation and benefits, learning and development, talent resourcing, employee relations, performance management and change management. In addition, the risk management, insurance, business continuity planning and safety functions will be integrated and professionalised in order that FNU provides its students and staff will a safe and low risk environment in which to work and reside.

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Person specificationThis challenging senior executive role requires demonstrated managerial and leadership experience in human resource management and organisational development in a large, complex organisation. 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.

Essential Criteria

1. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and relevant postgraduate qualification.

2. Experience: Demonstrable experience in providing outstanding organisational/ HR leadership, including: •Thecapacitytodevelopandimplementstrategyandtoinitiateandimplementchangeinacomplex, multicultural environment. •Theabilitytoidentifyandassessappropriateopportunitiesandpartnershipstostrengthentheresource base and reputation of the organisation. •Experienceineffectivemanagementofhumanresourcesandfinancialresources;includingcompensation and benefits, staff planning, learning and development, recruitment and performance management and a sound knowledge of business principles. •Thecapacitytoworkacrossorganisationalboundariestoachieveagreedcorporateoutcomes.

3. Leadership style, empowering others, making decisions: An effective, culturally-sensitive leadership style that addresses the challenges of the role, while promoting the values of transparency, equity and accountability. Evidence of the ability to mentor and empower direct reports and take informed, evidence-based decisions.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Desirable Criteria

1. Qualifications: Master’s degree and professional HR qualifications. Membership of a relevant professional body (eg, Fiji Human Resources Institute).

2. 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. Awareness of the context of tertiary education in the Pacific. 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.• Acoveringletterofapplicationaddressingeachoftheessential(andifpossible,desirable)criteriaintheperson

specification above, evidencing how your qualifications and experience meet the requirements. This covering letter will form the main basis for shortlisting, so failure to provide this document may result in your application not being considered.

•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).

Referees will only be contacted after prior consultation with the candidate. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure 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.

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About Fiji

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 (incorporated into Fiji after independence in 1970), Fijians of Chinese and European descent and expatriates.

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Religion

Fiji is a secular society and the constitution guarantees religious tolerance. While the majority of Fijians follow Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism are widely practised. Fiji marks the key dates of the major religions with a Public Holiday (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 Voreqe Bainimarama, 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 and New Zealand cities, Hong Kong, 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

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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 Fijians of Indian origin speak Fiji-Hindi. Given the close integration between the two communities, many Fijians are fluent in both vernacular languages, as well as English.

Language

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Here are some Fijian words to get you started.

English Fijian PronunciationHello/hi ni sa bula nee sar bulaGood morning ni sa yadra nee sar yarndraGoodbye sa moce sa more theyPlease 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/a lot vaka levu va ka levooFast vaka totolo va ka tortorloSlowly vaka malua va ka mar luaHouse vale va leWashroom (Toilet) vale lailai va le lie lieCome lako mai la ko myGo lako tani la ko tan iOne 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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