Business Adviser, Market Development Facility (MDF)-Fiji and Pacific

Based in Suva, Fiji with a 12 month fixed term contract (with possibility of ongoing extension)Travel opportunities within Fiji and Region.Flexible work arrangements available

About the Market Development Facility    
Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) helps countries in the Indo-Pacific region to grow through improved productivity, economic diversification, competitiveness and trade.MDF helps business partners and government to identify markets that have high potential to grow, be profitable, and deliver social and environmental value.

Our aim is to do good by supporting good business. MDF supports business investment and innovation that reduces poverty, economically empowers women and combats climate change. We currently operate in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Sri Lanka.

MDF is funded by the Australian Government and co-funded by the New Zealand Government in Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. It is implemented by Palladium, in partnership with Swisscontact.

This Opportunity
The Business Adviser analyses economic opportunities and constraints to growth and develops innovative solutions with businesses and other organizations. The economic sectors in which you will work may change over time but are likely to include one or more of the following: agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and financial services.
Business Adviser will be responsible for:

Meeting with a wide variety of public and private stakeholders, especially businesses, government officials, workers, and farmers, to understand how the economy, sectors, markets and businesses in the Pacific function.Conduct socioeconomic analysis, including assessing the business environment, poverty, gender, industry competitiveness, as well as the roles of businesses, traders, and farmers.Assisting with the creation of strategies that will allow MDF to address the constraints identified and achieve MDF’s pro-poor economic development objectives.Designing innovative activities in line with MDF’s strategies through working with a wide mix of organisations, devising new business models, negotiating with prospective partners, and drafting concept notes and contracts.Working with Research, Impact Measurement and Inclusion staff to create, monitor and update quality and inclusion documentation, including results chains, results measurement plans, field surveys, etc.Integrate climate change principles of adaptation, mitigation and resilience, intervention and results measurement documents.

For full responsibilities and Terms of Reference (TOR), click here.

About You

 We are seeking an individual who will bring:

An entrepreneurial attitude, and a strong interest in working with the private sector on innovative business models.Willingness to work hard and travel extensively within Fiji and Region, meeting a diverse range of stakeholders, conducting research and monitoring activities.Demonstrated interpersonal skills with both colleagues and external stakeholders.Familiarity with issues affecting the Fiji/Pacific economy, business environment and international business trends.At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as economics, business, agriculture, tourism, or international development, or equivalent professional experience.Excellent English language skills (written and spoken).

Desirable skills

 Work experience in economic development, business, or closely related fields. The ability to undertake short-term travel to other MDF Pacific locations for capacity building (subject to travel and health restrictions).

Join us and be a part of a team that’s making a real difference in economic development across MDF’s diverse and dynamic portfolio!

How to Apply
Please click “Apply now” button below & submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

Closing date: Midnight 27th February 2025, Suva Time.

This position is open to residents with authority to live and work in Fiji.  Rates of pay are based on local labour standards.

About Palladium 
Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities. 

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.