Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)

Locally Engaged Role - commencing August 2025 to 31 December 2027 with possibility of 2-year extension   Based in Suva, Fiji

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. 

AFHP Overview:

The Fiji Program Support Platform (the Platform) implements over fifty percent of Australia’s bilateral development support to Fiji across a range of sector programs in education, health, Australia Awards, disaster response, cyclone recovery, social infrastructure and technical assistance to improve public sector governance in Fiji.  

The Platform integrates cross-cutting themes, including gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), climate and disaster resilience, across sectoral programs. In particular, the Platform seeks to strengthen program outcomes by better addressing the needs of targeted beneficiaries including those who are often marginalised.

The Australian Government is supporting Fiji’s health sector through the Australia Fiji Health Program (AFHP, the Program) working with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

The program’s high-level End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) are:

Improved systems are used by MHMS and health workers for evidence-based planning and resource allocation (workforce and budget), clinical care, digital health and medical supply chains; and  Targeted healthcare facilities equitably deliver improved primary health services, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and non-communicable disease (NCD) services. 

The funding for the program is approximately AUD 45million over 9 years (5 years, with an option to extend a further 4 years) and delivered through a range of activities (interventions) to achieve the program’s objectives where implementation modalities include technical advice, procurement of technical services and goods, minor works and infrastructure upgrades, capacity building and training support, support to Ministry led initiatives and innovations, and grants to civil society organisations (CSOs).

AFHP is designed to support the MHMS achieve the goals and objectives in its Strategic Plan and Annual Operational Plans, and AFHP’s workplans are targeted to support specific components of the Ministry’s plans.

Recent natural disasters such as cyclones, and public health emergencies in Fiji including COVID-19 have highlighted major challenges for pandemic preparedness and response during epidemics and other health emergencies. In this context, around 10% of program funding will be allocated for MHMS to assign to emerging needs and priorities as they arise. Funding may be allocated toward preparedness and responses to public health emergencies, or related opportunities for reform and innovation. 

Position Summary:

The Clinical Product Advisor (CPA) is part of the Clinical Products Team in the FPBS Logistics Management Unit (LMU). The Clinical Products Team is responsible for medical consumables, surgical and implantable categories, as well as medical bedding and linen, medical apparel, instruments, and infection prevention and control products.  

The CPA position provides expert clinical advice to ensure the reliable supply of appropriate goods to support the health facilities to deliver high quality patient care. This is delivered by providing expertise identifying appropriate products for use at all levels of the health system. In addition, the role performs an advocacy function in supporting the standardisation of product use throughout the system and all health service providers to facilitate supply chain efficiencies.  

The CPA has the key accountability of working closely with clinical cadres in the major health facilities, in particular the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) hospital and other specialist service providers. The position will ensure that the clinical requirements of the key departments and specialities are accurately reflected in the mSupply system and that the procurement processes are conducted with appropriate clinical input and guidance.  

The CPA will use evidence-based practice and knowledge to deliver best value and maximise outcomes of FPBS activities for health services. The position is also responsible for working with the FPBS Warehouse Teams on matters requiring expertise on clinical products.  

Key Responsibilities:
Supply Chain Support

 Provide support to the FPBS teams to ensure a reliable supply of required clinical goods to health services by identifying appropriate products to be used in delivering patient care. In the event of supply failures and product shortages, liaise with alternative suppliers and Procurement Team to ensure the suitability of clinical alternatives.  Manage, report and maintain records on clinical product recalls. Communicate with health facilities to ensure affected facilities are aware of recalls and their required actions  Manage and report on clinical product complaints from health facilities for relevant products.  Liaise with category managers regarding recalls, and clinical product complaints and provide feedback to Supply Chain and Procurement teams on supplier performance.  Work with Warehouse teams to assist with clinical product identification in various warehouse functions, including order picking and quality control on dispatch of goods. 

Health Facility Engagement 

Provide a clinical communication link between FPBS and the Health facilities, ensuring the appropriate translation of clinical information to support the development and improvement of procurement practices, to improve operational efficiency, and to enhance the relationship between FPBS and the Health facilities.  Undertake research activities and consult with key clinical cadres to maximise product sourcing opportunities and support effective procurement and tender outcomes.  Identify opportunities for product standardisation and rationalisation across the system and advocate with clinical staff for products that optimise patient outcomes.  Oversee the trials and testing of clinical products during tender processes to ensure that selected items represent the best possible balance between quality and price (value for money).  Participate in supplier performance reviews to ensure that contracted items are being supplied in accordance with tender specifications and contract terms and conditions.  Participate in regular Clinical Product Advisor group, contract management group and relevant product evaluation and exemption committee meetings.  Assist with clinically related customer service queries. 

Product Clinical Performance 

Support the clinical product evaluation process for tenders and Request for Quotations (RFQs) in FPBS to ensure best value for money and clinical product quality.  Liaise with health facility clinical staff on product clinical performance, such as product faults and adverse events.  Maintain clinical performance records measuring clinical performance of products.  Support the Procurement Team in ongoing contract management regarding clinical assessment of products and supplier performance. 

FPBS Education and Support 

Support all the Teams in FPBS in relation to clinical products by providing training and obtaining relevant information on clinical product functionality and clinical practice where requested and relevant to the operations of the organisation.  Ensure matters of clinical relevance are raised to ensure they are incorporated into the sourcing process. 

Leadership 

Foster a workplace culture that is consistent with FPBS’s organisational culture emphasising customer service.  Maintain strong lines of communication, both formal and informal, with key stakeholders across Fijis health system.  Support organisational change and growth as requested to assist FPBS in fulfilling its objectives of providing a high level of service in support of patient care.  While the principal duties of this position are as above, the CPA may be required to undertake other duties from time to time.

Key deliverables: 

Supply Chain Support: Identifying alternative products during supply failures and shortages. Product Evaluation: Assisting in the selection and procurement of clinical products. Recall Management: Handling product recalls and ensuring affected facilities take necessary actions. Stakeholder Engagement: Acting as a bridge between healthcare providers and suppliers to ensure clinical needs are met. Standardization Advocacy: Supporting efforts to streamline product use across healthcare facilities. Clinical Research & Consultation: Conducting research and consulting with healthcare professionals to improve sourcing and contract outcomes. Customer Service: Ensure Ontime in Full Delivery of products from FPBS, provide update on out-of-stock situation on weekly basis to FPBS and to National Health Supply Chain Specialist.

Key Working Relationships:

Reporting to Director Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Supplies and collaborating with National Supply Chain Specialist.
Working closely with:
•    Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS)
•    FPBS LMU
•    Clinical Products Coordinator (FPBS)
 

Selection Criteria:

Qualification:

Current registered nurse from a hospital setting with extensive clinical experience preferably in Intensive Care Unit or in Peri-operative Nursing. Postgraduate qualifications in Health (desirable).  Experience in clinical research (preferred). 

Experience:

Recent clinical experience and sound clinical skills across a broad range of areas, which will ideally include:  Experience in the management of clinical products in relation to their safe and effective selection and use within a health facility.  Awareness of product or tender specifications.  Ability to undertake clinical research where required. 

Knowledge and Skills:

Medical Product Knowledge: Understanding clinical products, their applications, and regulatory requirements. Healthcare Procurement: Familiarity with sourcing, evaluating, and purchasing medical supplies. Supply Chain Management: Knowledge of logistics, recalls, and alternative product sourcing. Regulatory Compliance: Awareness of healthcare standards and product safety regulations. Clinical Research & Evidence-Based Practice: Ability to assess product effectiveness based on clinical data.

Personal Attributes:

Ability to write and produce high level reports and briefs and good oral communications skills.  Understanding of the structure and organisation of the Fiji Health System.  Good computer skills including the ability to confidently use the Microsoft suite of products.  Passion for ensuring best outcomes in patient care.  Good interpersonal skills, including an ability to acquire information and influence others with diplomacy, tact and discretion and to engage people at all levels with respect and confidence. This includes good presentation skills with experience presenting to large groups.  Ability to work as a member of a team and collaborate effectively, as well as the ability to work in a self-directed manner, take initiative, and work independently when required.  Good organisational skills including the ability to manage and prioritise multiple concurrent tasks, meet tight deadlines and to work in an independent, flexible manner where required.  A high level of personal integrity. 

How to apply  

Applications close on 3 August 2025. 

Please apply online by submitting a cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of this role and an up-to-date comprehensive CV.   

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