Risk, Safeguarding and GESI Adviser - Vaccine Access Taskforce

Job Description

Program Background

The Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security (CHS) was established in 2017 to implement the Australian Government’s Health Security Initiative for the Indo-Pacific Region. The Initiative, which is funded through Australia’s overseas aid program, aims to inform evidence-based planning, help prevent avoidable epidemics, strengthen early detection capacity, and support rapid, effective national and international outbreak responses. It does this by accelerating research on new drugs and diagnostics, expanding partnerships at the national, regional and global level to strengthen human and animal health systems, and deepening people-to-people linkages that build national and regional health security capacity.

In October 2020, an additional three-year $523 million Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI) was announced by the Australian Government to enable access to safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines for the Pacific and Southeast Asia – one of the most critical policy issues emerging from the pandemic. Commencing in 2021, Australia is assisting 18 countries to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine through the VAX Taskforce within the CHS. A further $100 million to support regional vaccine access was announced in March 2021.

The CHS supports countries in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Vietnam) and the Pacific (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and small island nations such as Tuvalu, Tonga and Kiribati).

Cardno International Development is supporting the implementation of several activities delivered as part of the initiative across the Indo Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Purpose of the Role

The adviser will provide technical advice and support to the VAX Taskforce on risk, safeguarding and gender equality and social inclusion. Specifically, this role will contribute to the design and implementation of the VAHSI, with a primary focus on ensuring CHS can assess and manage risks and meet its safeguarding responsibilities, in accordance with DFAT’s policies and procedures.

The adviser will work closely with the Program Management Unit, currently being established to support implementation of the VAHSI, and other members of the VAX Taskforce. The adviser will work across all stages of the aid management cycle (design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) and will support the policy, briefing and coordination functions of the VAX Taskforce.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical advice on risk, safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion to the VAX Taskforce across the investment portfolio and at all stages of the aid management cycle.
• Review and provide input into VAHSI implementing partner proposals in relation to risk, safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion.
• Provide advice to Design Leads within the VAX Taskforce on risk, safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion, including drafting any required content and contributing to risk matrices for individual designs to ensure alignment with the overarching Strategic Investment Framework for the VAHSI.
• As requested by DFAT Posts, review proposals and provide advice on any Vaccine Preparatory Support proposals as part of the VAX Taskforce’s review and approval processes of such support.
• Develop clear and fit-for-purpose governance arrangements to manage risk, safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion for the VAHSI, in consultation with the PMU and other members of the VAX Taskforce.
• Engage in the established management and governance for the VAHSI on risk, safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion matters, working with and through senior management.
• Support Activity Leads and implementing partners to monitor risk, safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion during the implementation of VAHSI, and regularly review the adequacy of processes to manage and monitor risk, safeguarding, gender and social inclusion in response to changing circumstances and learnings as the initiative proceeds.
• Provide pro-active advice and support on risk, safeguards, gender equality and social inclusion to DFAT stakeholders, including sharing of good practice examples.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• At least seven years’ in-depth experience in assessing and managing risk, safeguarding and gender equality and social inclusion, ideally in an international development context.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications or relevant field experience in international development, gender studies, child protection, risk, and/or safeguards.
• Ability to inspire and encourage teams to achieve high performance and quality results and meet deadlines.
• Excellent English report writing and verbal communication skills, and the ability to communicate technical information to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Emotional intelligence with the ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of an organisation in a participatory way.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with multiple, diverse stakeholders and maintain strong relationships.

Desirable

• Health and/or health security technical awareness.
• Knowledge of foreign policy and development issues in the Pacific and South East Asia.
• Knowledge of and experience implementing DFAT’s risk, safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion policies and procedures.

Position Details

Reports to: Director, Strategy and Enabling

Direct Reports: TBC

Duration: 20 months (possible extension)

ARF Classification C3

Commencement: April/May 2021

Location: Canberra, ACT, Australia (Other locations considered depending on applicant)

For applications please submit:

1. A maximum two-page cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.
2. Up to date CV.
3. Details of three professional referees.

Other Information

• Amendments to the position’s Terms of Reference may be made during the period of the engagement as required.
• All personnel must abide by Cardno’s Code of Conduct, Australian Government policies in relation to Child Protection; Environmental and Resettlement safeguards; Gender Equality; and Disability.
• Any offer of employment will require criminal record clearance.
• The successful applicant for this position will be required to have a valid visa that provides work rights in Australia.

We thank all applicants however due to anticipated volumes of applications only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

How to Apply?

We welcome your interest in joining the team. Please click on this link to access the role: https://bit.ly/3fjP8v9 and apply with the following listed below or click the “Apply” button to submit your application.

The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Tuesday 13 April 2021.. For any queries regarding the positions please email HSI.Recruitment@cardno.com.au

About the Organization

About Cardno

Cardno is a global provider of integrated professional services which enrich the physical and social environment for the communities in which we live and work. Our team of multidisciplinary specialists has more than 70 years’ experience designing, developing and delivering sustainable projects and community advancement programs. Cardno is committed to child protection in all fields. Cardno is an equal opportunity employer.

Cardno is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection and bribery prevention. We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All Cardno staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to a safer working culture.