Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit / Trade and Development Adviser

26.01.2021 Lisa McAuley
Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit / Trade and Development Adviser
  • Unique opportunity to lead a newly created entity
  • Home location initially, thereafter based in Samoa
  • Fixed term for up to five years

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus is a landmark trade and development agreement that has been signed by 11 Forum Island Countries: Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. The Agreement covers goods, services, and investment. It aims to lower barriers to trade, provide greater certainty for businesses, raise living standards, create jobs and increase exports across the Pacific.

The Parties to PACER Plus are looking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced person to work as the Head of the Implementation Unit reporting to the PACER Plus Joint Committee. The key objectives of this senior level role are to provide critical leadership and technical expertise on trade and development for the new PACER Plus Implementation Unit.

Some of the key functions of this role include:

  • Report to, and deliver on, the strategic direction set by the PACER Plus Joint Committee.
  • Lead and create a team environment that motivates, fosters and develops effective working relationships and high performance.
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with PACER Plus Parties and signatories, including facilitating links and supporting national and regional stakeholders to implement PACER Plus.
  • Ensure the effective planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme, ensuring high quality at entry of these activities.
  • Provide leadership and expertise on trade and development technical inputs and oversee the implementation of aid for trade activities relevant to the objectives of PACER Plus, to ensure delivery is in line with the annual work programme and quality standards.
  • Build and maintain extensive networks and effective relationships with key stakeholders across the Pacific.
  • Monitor, manage and report on emerging risks, ensuring transparent efficient and effective delivery of projects and activities.

This role will appeal if you have:

  • A tertiary degree (preferably at postgraduate level) in economics, international development or law.
  • At least 10 years relevant experience working in international trade and economic development (Pacific experience is highly desirable).
  • Demonstrated experience in leading and managing an organisation, or being part of a senior leadership team, in the international or regional development context.
  • Strong practical experience in leading and developing a team to implement a significant aid for trade programme in the development context.
  • In-depth technical knowledge of trade and investment issues (public and private sector perspectives), the links between trade and development, and the role of aid for trade good practices to support the implementation of PACER Plus.
  • Sound judgement and decision-making, ability to think strategically and leverage other aid for trade development programmes across the Pacific.
  • Extensive relevant networks, strong public communication and advocacy skills, and proven ability to build maintain and leverage relationships with key stakeholders and business networks including at ministerial level in the Pacific.
  • Good working knowledge of the Pacific Island country trade capacity building needs (public and private sector perspectives), and regional trade issues in the Pacific.
  • Proven organisation management skills, including financial management, programme management, business processes and systems, planning and communication skills.
  • Understanding of international development principles and the socio-economic contexts of Forum Island countries desirable.
  • Understanding of inclusive trade (including in relation to SMEs, gender, human rights, climate and environmental issues) and their application to the Pacific trade or economic development context desirable.
  • Experience working with media and/or public relations skills desirable.

Working closely with the PACER Plus Parties and signatories, you will be required to build positive and productive relationships across the Pacific region. You will be politically astute and recognise the importance of stakeholder engagement; be an effective and motivated leader; be highly organised, have self-motivated structured programme and reporting work habits; and understand and respect the culture and diversity of the environment.

This role will appeal if you are interested in a position that contributes to the prosperity and resilience of the people of the Pacific. The role will be for a period of 5 years. The successful candidate will be based at their home location until COVID-19 related travel restrictions are lifted, thereafter the role will be based in Samoa.

Closing date for applications: 5:00pm (NZ Time) on Thursday 11th February 2021

Hudson Recruitment has been engaged to manage this procurement process. Please refer all correspondence, queries or requests for more information, instructions on how to apply (please note that I am unable to accept your application via email) and a copy of the full Role Description to:

Claire Hogan

Senior Consultant, Hudson, Wellington, New Zealand

Office: +64 4 917 9200

DDI: +64 4 917 9296

Cell: +64 21 054 5744

Email: claire.hogan@hudson.com