Advisor to the Public Service Commission
Country
Fiji
Program Area
Business/NGO Development and Information Technology
Partner
Public Service Commission of Fiji
Projected Start Date
September, 2010
Duration
6 months
Description
A Peace Corps Response Volunteer is needed to serve as an Advisor to the Public Service Commission of Fiji. Since the government of Fiji recently lowered its mandatory retirement age to 55, the Commission has noted that a large number of teachers, government workers, and other professional employees have since left the workplace—taking with them valuable skills, knowledge, and expertise. While the country’s trained workforce is dwindling, pressing needs in the areas of education, health, and poverty continue to grow. There is a need to tap into the wealth of experience that retirees can continue to offer through voluntary service. To that end, the Public Service Commission has introduced the Fiji Volunteer Service initiative—a program designed to utilize the talents of those who are retired or currently unemployed.
A PCRV skilled in management of volunteer agencies is needed to help design and launch a national volunteer organization to address gaps in human resources in critical shortage areas such as education and healthcare. The Volunteer Advisor will assess current needs and available human and financial resources. With counterparts at the Public Service Commission, the PCRV will outline a viable process and timeline for preparing a national volunteer program for Fijians over the age of 55. The Volunteer will design recruiting and marketing strategies for the project as well as create training materials for the volunteers. The Advisor will also design an outreach program to identify needy areas and an application process for communities or agencies to obtain volunteers. It is hoped that the PCRV will bring the project as near as possible to a launch date by the end of the six-month Peace Corps Response assignment.
Qualifications
- Experience working in Fiji
- Experience in management of volunteer agencies
- Some knowledge of Fijian culture and language
- Training in organizational development, especially with volunteer agencies
- Excellent references for patience, flexibility, and teamwork
