Terms of Reference - Regional Governance Advisor
FSPI Secretariat
July 2001

Background
The Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI) is a network of nine national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) spanning the Pacific region. FSPI members implement community development programmes in Kiribati, Tuvalu, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and East Timor.? FSPI is dedicated to alleviating poverty among communities in the Pacific through needs-based, integrated programmes.

The FSPI Secretariat, currently based in Port Vila, Vanuatu but with plans to relocate to Suva, Fiji, operates as the regional nexus for the network, and oversees a portfolio of multi-country programmes focusing on community health, community-based natural resource management (terrestrial and marine), small business development, disaster preparedness, women in development, and good governance.

FSPI's Voices and Choices: Gardening Good Governance and Democracy in the Pacific project is the Secretariat's newest initiative.? This project, designed in response to the governance crises that have taken place over the last few years in the region, focuses on building awareness and capacity at regional, national and community levels in rights and governance.? Regional activities will be vested at the FSPI Secretariat, and will focus on developing a Pacific Centre for Good Governance, initially through establishment of a virtual think tank; researching and building bridges between traditional and introduced systems of governance; implementing a regional media campaign on governance issues; and advocating on behalf of rights and good governance to national leaders.? National activities will be implemented by FSPI partner NGOs in the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati and East Timor, and will focus on building awareness and capacity among rural and grassroots communities in civic education and human rights in a way that is meaningful and relevant to Pacific communities.

Regional Governance Advisor
FSPI is currently searching for a Regional Governance Advisor who will work with the FSPI Executive Director on overall management and implementation of the Voices and Choices - Gardening Good Governance and Democracy in the Pacific project.? Major responsibilities for the Regional Governance Advisor are as follows:

1.???? Programme Management
*? Assist the FSPI Executive Director with overall management of the project, including regional and community-level activities.
* Develop work plans for regional activities, and assist with the development of national-level work plans
*????? Monitor regional and in-country activities, and promote adaptive management (utilising monitoring results to modify activities as necessary to achieve programme goals).
*????? Assist the FSPI Finance Manager with budgeting and financial reporting for regional/in-country activities.
*??? Assist in-country partners with recruitment of governance staff

2.????? Data collection and research
*? Oversee implementation of "Community Governance Mapping" (social mapping conducted at village level to analyse local governance structures; knowledge, attitudes and practices with regards to rights and governance; and governance pressure points)
* Co-ordinate outside technical assistance to assist with mapping data collection, analyses and formation of a database

1.3. Networking
*? Assist the FSPI Executive Director to identify Pacific leaders committed to rights and governance who will comprise the Pacific Centre for Good Governance
*??? Network with other multilateral, bilateral and NGO governance organisations/programs in support of regional and national activities.
*? Oversee Pacific Centre roundtables and information exchanges
*? Provide an information bridge between Pacific Centre dialogue and on-the-ground community-level activities.

4.? Information Campaign
*? Prepare regional information dissemination plan, including web-site, regional media campaign, posters, radio shows etc.? Assist in-country partners with national/community-level information campaigns.
*????? Identify technical assistance and oversee implementation of the information dissemination plan (e.g. information technology specialist etc)
*?? Disseminate mapping results regionally and internationally through media campaigns
*??? Disseminate Pacific Centre activities regionally and internationally through media campaigns

Minimum Qualifications for Regional Governance Advisor
*??? Relevant university degree
*??? At least five years' experience working with NGOs at the community-level
*????? Demonstrated experience in research, monitoring and evaluation
* Demonstrated experience in rights and governance programmes in a developing country, preferably the Pacific
*?? Demonstrated commitment to the role of civil society in development
*?? Demonstrated knowledge of key governance issues (social, economic and development) of the Pacific
*???? Computer literacy, including MS Word, Excel and preferably database management
* Good communication, cross-cultural, interpersonal and networking skills
*?????? Ability to work independently and as part of a team
*?? Willingness to travel to remote and difficult locations
*?????? Proven management and organisational skills? with mentorship ability

Compensation/ Remuneration
The FSPI Regional Governance Advisor will be compensated based on prior work experience and qualifications.? A competitive package will be offered, including salary, housing, insurance and (as necessary) relocations.? The position will be based in Suva, Fiji.

To Apply:
Send cover letter, CV and contact details for three professional references by August 1, 2001 to the following address:

?? ??????? FSPI Secretariat Governance Programme - Attn Executive Director
?????? PO Box 951, Port Vila, Vanuatu???
Tel: 678-22915/ Fax: 678-24510
?????? ??????? E-mail: admin@...