Disability and Inclusive Officer Suva, Fiji Islands · Independent since 1970, Fiji is an...

01 Assignment Description (AD) – Version 2.1 – 09/2019

Disability and Inclusive Officer Suva, Fiji Islands

This assignment has been negotiated in good faith with the Partner Organisation, and the information

contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request.

However, while we take responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and

arrangements are subject to change. This assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes

in circumstances.

GENERAL DETAILS

Assignment Title Disability and Inclusive Officer

Partner Organisation Basketball Fiji

Website of Partner Organisation N/A

Duration of Assignment 12 to 18 months

Proposed Start Date 29 March 2020

1. PARTNER ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

The Basketball Federation of Fiji (BF) is the national sporting body for basketball in Fiji. Our mission is to provide programs and competitions to develop the profile and accessibility of basketball across the Fiji Islands. This includes competition opportunities at the grassroots, representative and international level for players, coaches, referees and administrators. Our goal is to make the game widely available to our communities so that we can encourage participation from any person who may be interested in sport regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity and disability. BF engages with health departments, the school sector, unemployed youth and women’s groups to build a stronger understanding of community problems and to use basketball to address those issues. Their motto is “It’s more than just basketball” and they take that sentiment very seriously in program deliveries and services to communities that they work across. There are currently five affiliated associations to BF. The Raiwaqa Players Basketball Association, Suva Basketball Association, Nadi Basketball Association, Namoli Village Basketball Association and the Lautoka Basketball Association. Current programs include:

Hoops for Health Development Basketball Program targeting schools and urban communities

Women Empowering Program targeting both mothers in communities, single mothers living below the poverty line and mothers whom are victims of crime

Special Schools and inclusive Development Program

Bula Hoops Children Program providing basketball learnings for children after school

National Club Championship for both schools and clubs from U15’s right through to the open categories

National Programs for U15’s, U16’s, U17’s, U18’s and Senior Teams for both males and females


3x3 (newly introduced sport discipline in the 2020 Olympics) for U10’s right through to the open

categories

At the moment there are two full time staff, one-part time staff, one Australian Volunteer and 15

program coaches.

2. ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

Disability and inclusiveness is still considered a new concept in Fiji and in particular to a foreign sport

like basketball. This year the Government of Fiji has newly introduced a new grant to promote National

Federations in promoting inclusiveness through the respective sporting disciplines.

As the concept is new, Basketball Fiji do not have the expertise nor the experience in delivering this

area; they are currently finding it difficult sustaining the disability sports. In 2017, an AVID volunteer

Jonno Steele provided the organisation with a platform to work off. The organisation is now seeking

further assistance in continuing to build off the current momentum from the last AVID and take

advantage of the new opportunity provided by the local government through grants to further develop

and strengthen the Disability Development Program in Fiji for the sport. The volunteer will be based in

Suva and may require travelling to other parts of the country to promote the sport.

3. ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES

Further develop and strengthen Basketball Fiji Disability and Inclusive Program Strategies and develop a sustainable inclusive plan To ensure the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment in the

course of your work with the partner organisation and host community, including implementing strategies that relate to:

a. promoting gender equality and empowering women, b. disability inclusion, and c. child safeguarding.

4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOLUNTEER

In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, Australian volunteers

complete a work plan in the first three (3) months of their assignment. The duties below are an

indication of the type of work that may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:

Further develop and strengthen Basketball Fiji Disability and Inclusive Program Develop a sustainable inclusive plan Establish and build partnership networks for the program Develop a pathway for players, coaches and referees Coordinate an inaugural Wheel Chair Basketball Event in Fiji


5. SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience

University graduate or minimum 3 years’ experience in relevant sector

Qualification in Basketball Coaching, Sports Management or a related field

Commitment to team work, coaching and mentoring others

Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings

Patience, tolerance and flexibility

Ability to cope with cultural isolation and a different standard of living

A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment

Committed to gender equality, children protection and disability inclusion

Desirable Skills & Experience

Commitment and understanding of issues faced by PLWD;

Commitment to team work, coaching, and mentoring others

Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings

Patience, tolerance and flexibility

Ability to cope with cultural isolation and a different standard of living A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging

environment

6. ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION

Line Manager

Chief Operating Officer

Staff Supervision

None

Working Relationships

Other staff and coaches of Basketball Fiji

Hours & Days at the Partner Organisation

8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Leave Entitlements

All volunteers are entitled to 20 days leave per 12 months, unless otherwise advised.

Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional indemnity insurance is required for all volunteers who are acting as a medical,

allied health or legal professional whilst on assignment. On these assignments professional


indemnity insurance must be provided by the partner organisation, Australian organisation

(if applicable) or self-arranged by the volunteer as part of ongoing professional obligations.

For all other assignments, professional indemnity insurance is not automatically provided for

Australian volunteers. You should consult your partner organisation about the need for

professional indemnity insurance for your role prior to your departure. Where required

and/or you consider it essential for you to hold this insurance, please discuss this with the

Volunteer Services Manager in Melbourne prior to your departure.

This assignment is not deemed to require professional indemnity insurance.

Other Conditions

If required to work after hours, volunteer is entitled to time off in lieu because there is no

overtime pay provisions.

Language Skills and Level Required

Low

Language Support

Language support is provided during the in-country orientation period. Most often, additional

resources for further development later in the assignment will be available if required.

7. LIVING AS A VOLUNTEER

Independent since 1970, Fiji is an archipelago of 332 volcanic islands in the southwest Pacific

Ocean. About 110 of Fiji’s islands are inhabited, the largest being Viti Levu (10,642 km2) and

Vanua Levu (5,807 km2).

Fiji has one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, although it remains a

developing country with a large subsistence agriculture sector. Fiji has well developed, although

fragile economy relies upon tourism, remittances from overseas workers, and subsistence

agriculture. Current socio-economic challenges include governance, mitigation of racial tension,

and on-going development.

In December 2006 Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama deposed Prime

Minister Qarase. It was the country's fourth coup since 1987. In Sept 2014, Fiji held its elections

with the outcome reinstating Mr Bainimarama’s party into power and confirmation of Mr

Bainimarama as the democratically elected Prime Minister of Fiji.

Nadi Airport is the main international airport and is located 200km by road from the capital, Suva.

Regular flights connect Nadi and Suva airports in 30 min. Buses and taxis take 4 hours to reach the

Capital city by road. As with most cities, crime and poverty are factors to be aware of. There is no

shortage of food and a variety of local fruits and vegetable, fish and local delicacies in the local

market.

The cyclone season for Fiji is from November to April. Flooding of low-lying areas during periods

of heavy rain is common and the occasional Tsunami warning for Fiji has been more predominant


for the past 3 years. For this reason, volunteers are required to seek accommodation that is 10m

or higher during their assignment. Water on most of Fiji is relatively safe to drink. Electricity is

generated through Hydropower and is mostly constant on Viti Levu, however outer islands rely on

diesel generators thus have intermittent electricity supply throughout the day.

Health facilities are readily available and accessible in Fiji. Although the facilities may not be as

modern as facilities in Australia, the local health workers are able to treat and diagnose illnesses

relatively well. AVI has contact details for a local expat doctor that is on hand for a second opinion

for volunteers or to help arrange admittance to any of the local public or private hospitals. Taxis

and local buses form the main mode of transport and are relatively cheap for day-to-day travel.

Second hand cars are available and are more costly than in Australia. Communication is relatively

easy and reliable in Fiji, with about four service providers for internet and at least three for

mobile services with compatible prices.

8. ALLOWANCES & SUPPORT

These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in the host country location. Allowances

will be reviewed periodically and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of

any change to the allowance level.

Living Allowance

$1344 AUD

Accommodation Allowance

$1172 AUD

Housing

Assistance with the identification of suitable, secure and affordable accommodation will be

provided by the In-Country Management Team.

Other Allowances & Support

All Australian Volunteers program volunteers receive the following:

Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne

In-country Orientation on arrival

Pre-departure vaccination expenses

Visa expenses

Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance

Return airfare to country of assignment

Psychological and medical advice and support services

Re-entry support services

Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)

Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)


9. PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION

As a part of your online application you will be required to answer the following questions

through a video recording (if you are unable to submit through the online video due to

accessibility please contact the Recruitment Coordinator).

Response to Selection Criteria

a) Why do I feel that volunteering internationally is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?

b) What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful colleague and engaged community member in this assignment?

c) The Australian Volunteers Program is committed to ensuring the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment, such as the partner organisation and host community. What is your personal experience and/or understanding of social inclusion.

d) How do I match the Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience? Include your most relevant experiences, results and achievements responding to each of the selection criteria in Section 5.

Personal Circumstances Constraints

The Australian Volunteers Program recognises and values the enhanced skills and expertise of

returned volunteers as a result of their volunteering experience. The program is also designed

to maximise international volunteering opportunities for all Australians. With this in mind, if a

returned volunteer and a candidate who has not volunteered previously apply for the same

role, preference will be given to the latter, providing they meet the personal and professional

selection criteria for the role.

We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances

due to security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location:

Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the program may face

issues in applying for and being issued with a visa

Applicants with partners to whom they are not legally married and who wish to accompany applicants as part of the program may face issues in applying for and being issues with a visa

Applicants with a criminal record where a criminal conviction may be relevant to the inherent requirements of the assignment.

10. HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be submitted online through the Australian Volunteers Program website.

If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on our website prior to applying.

The Australian Volunteers Program is committed to increasing Indigenous participation, and we

actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. If you would like

https://avid.avi.org.au/documents/80/AVID_Social_Inclusion_Mar2017.pdf


more information or support with your application, you can contact our Indigenous Programs

Coordinator on [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

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