Consultant, Fiji Mineral Resources Department - Support to Fiji’s Review of at Abt Global

Suva, Central, Fiji -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

10 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

11 Apr, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Mining Policy, Natural Resource Governance, Public Policy, Legislative Reform, Stakeholder Engagement, International Benchmarking, Sectoral Analysis, Policy Advisory, Regulatory Frameworks, Project Management, Technical Writing, Data Analysis, Strategic Planning, Capacity Development, Regional Consultation

Industry

Business Consulting and Services

Description

Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP) * Seeking Consultant or Consultancy Firm to provide short term inputs (estimated up to 50 days over 9-12 months) to support the development of Fiji’s Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill (MEEB). * Travel will be required with cost associated covered by the Program * Working with the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources FPSP Overview: The Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP, or the ‘Platform’) is a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment that contributes 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 delivers 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 is also engaged by DFAT to deliver activities under a Multi‑Sector Services Order (MSSO). As part of DFAT’s commitment to providing flexible and responsive support to the Government of Fiji, this contracting modality enables the Platform to provide advisory, non‑advisory and ad‑hoc support services for DFAT that respond to emerging priorities which do not necessarily align with existing sectoral programs and may operate across a range of Government of Fiji agencies. Background: The Mining Division of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is Fiji’s lead agency for attracting private investment in mineral exploration and resource development. The Division provides geoscientific information on mineral resources and administers an equitable and secure titles system for the mining, petroleum, and geothermal industries. It also has primary responsibility for regulating extractive industries, including the collection of royalties, and ensuring that safety, health, and environmental standards comply with relevant legislation. In addition, the Division plays an important role in educating communities about resource development and regulatory processes across the sector. Its broader mandate includes delivering strategies to support the continued growth of Fiji’s resources industry and maximise economic and social benefits for all Fijians. Mineral sector regulation in Fiji is currently grounded in the Mining Act 1965. A review undertaken in the late 1990s and early 2000s led to the development of the Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill (MEEB), now in its eleventh draft, last finalised in 2007. The Bill proposes modernised regulatory provisions, improved safety standards, and updated tenement administration systems to replace the outdated 1965 Act. It also seeks to align the mineral sector framework with more recent legislation, including the Environment Management Act 2015 and Environment Management (Amendment) Act 2025 and Regulations, the Employment Relations Act 2007, Health and Safety at Work Act 1996, Fair Share of Mineral Royalties Act 2018, as well as relevant international conventions to which Fiji is a signatory, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Further technical work is required to fully align the Bill with the 2013 Constitution. The Australian Government, is supporting Fiji’s transition to a more diversified, trade-connected, climate resilient, and inclusive economy. Strengthening productive sectors - including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and minerals—requires strong institutional capacity, high quality policy advice, and effective whole of government coordination. The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources (MLMR) is a key partner in this effort, given its central role in minerals sector governance. Through the Platform, Australia has engaged a full time, Fiji-based Adviser to the Mineral Resources Department – Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources (the “Mining Adviser”) to support strengthening of the Mineral Resources Department, as well as the development of the Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill (MEEB). To compliment this position, Australia also intends to engage a Consultancy (individual or firm) to support the work of the Mining Adviser. This will include providing specialised technical input, analytical support, and quality assurance. The assignment will also include arranging and facilitating regional consultations in Australia, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, ensuring the work is informed by regional context, credible comparative insights, and the practical experiences of neighboring mineral rich jurisdictions. Position Summary: To strengthen the quality and analytical depth of the Adviser’s report through specialised technical expertise, international benchmarking, and expert peer review. To ensure the work is informed by regional insights and diverse perspectives by facilitating consultations with government ministries and private sector stakeholders in Australia, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Scope of Work: Technical Advisory Support * Provide support to the Mining Adviser to ensure key outputs and deliverables for the position are achieved, including supporting peer review of relevant reports to ensure quality-assured findings, methodology, and recommendations. * Participate in selected local (Fiji) public consultations, as appropriate, to ensure technical inputs, analysis and recommendations are grounded in stakeholder feedback and reflect Fiji’s social, institutional and community context. * Provide specialised sectoral and technical input to strengthen the Adviser’s analysis. * Bring an international perspective, including cross country comparisons, benchmarks, and relevant policy models to inform recommendations for Fiji’s minerals and productive sector including alignment with relevant international models and standards. * Provide expert guidance on data sources, analytical frameworks, and emerging global trends, especially on the fiscal regime for mining. * Facilitate access to international networks, leading practices, and comparative case studies. Regional Travel and Consultations (Australia, Solomon Islands & Papua New Guinea) * Identify and map relevant regional stakeholders across government, regulatory agencies, industry bodies, and private‑sector actors to meet with and ensuring stakeholder selection reflects diverse regulatory, operational, and institutional perspectives relevant to Fiji’s context. * Prepare a stakeholder engagement plan for each country. * Initiating contact with identified stakeholders and co-ordinate travel itinerary and meeting schedule. * Coordinate the travel bookings and other logistics for the Adviser and staff of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources to undertake travel to Australia, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. * Facilitate consultations to capture context specific insights not available through desk research alone and enable meaningful technical exchange * Document and validate emerging findings and ensure alignment with regional priorities, challenges, and opportunities. Key Outputs: The expected outputs and outcomes of this placement are: * Develop a Regional Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement Plan outlining: * Country specific stakeholder lists * Engagement rationale and consultation objectives * Identification of priority institutions and individuals to meet with * Country-level Travel Plans (for review and approval prior to bookings): * Named travelers * Proposed itinerary for flights and accommodation, specifying any additional domestic travel required in each country (this is expected to be minimal especially in country where safe movement requires additional consideration, such as PNG) * Requirements for other logistics (safety management, car hire etc.) * Meeting sequencing and locations of meetings * Budget breakdown * Regional Consultation Summary Reports (Australia, Solomon Islands & PNG): * Stakeholder list * Key findings and insights * Sectoral implications for Fiji * Cross country learning and recommended adaptations * Technical Advisory Input Note: A written summary of technical contributions, data sources, and international benchmarks informing the Draft Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill. * Reflections and Recommendations: Written brief providing critical review of the process, outlining key lessons, recommended refinements, and targeted capacity development opportunities to support the Mining Division’s ongoing policy, regulatory and implementation functions. Key Working Relationships: The Advisory support firm will report to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources (PSLMR) and will work closely with the Mining Adviser. In addition, the firm will also collaborate with the Director of Mines and core Mineral Resource Department technical groups and officers. For contract administration and logistical support, the Firm will report indirectly to the FPSP Program Management Specialist. Selection Criteria: * Demonstrated capacity in Mining Policy, Economics, Natural Resource Governance, Public Policy, or related discipline. * Demonstrated expertise in international benchmarking, sectoral analysis, and policy advisory work ideally providing high‑quality technical advice or peer review to support policy, legislative or regulatory reform. * Demonstrated experience in legislative public consultations and stakeholder engagement. * Experience working in Pacific Island countries or similar small island economies (highly desirable). * Proven ability to engage senior government officials and private sector stakeholders. How to Apply: Please apply online by submitting: * a cover letter outlining the intended approach to meeting the scope of work and how you meet the selection criteria of this role. * detailed rates for nominated team member/s and an indicative division of inputs to achieve the listed services and deliverables * an up-to-date comprehensive CV for all personnel. #LI-AUSBRIT #LI-JR1 Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Global is regularly ranked as one of the top global research firms and one of the international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries.

Responsibilities

The consultant will provide specialized technical input and analytical support to the Mining Adviser for the development of Fiji’s Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Bill. Additionally, they will facilitate regional stakeholder consultations across Australia, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea to ensure the legislative framework is informed by comparative insights.