We're Recruiting! Become a Project Leader
This page includes all the information you need to know prior to beginning the application process. A Think Pacific Project Leader is an integral role in our staff team across all project delivery and we believe it is incredibly important for you to understand the requirements of the role and ‘the big picture’ of what we do at Think Pacific before applying.
Seeing inspired young leaders positively impacting local and global challenges.
Supporting the initiatives of our partners and empowering Fijian youths to achieve goals outlined in Fiji’s National Development Plan.
Think Pacific is both a Uk based social enterprise and a registered Fijian Charity. We deliver the highest level of international projects which directly support the aims of our partners towards Fiji’s National Development through international participation. This serves both as an impactful initiative in itself but also as a funding initiative. Think Pacific was born out of local ideas and ambition within Fiji.
We support initiatives that aim to empower both local communities and overseas volunteers. We facilitate what we believe to be the highest standard of positive cultural exchange, delivering ethical, responsible and sustainable programmes in Fiji, which provide a safe, structured and hugely rewarding experience for all participants.
We aspire to make a global impact with a local approach.
- Established in 2009, at the University of Leeds, UK.
- Based in Suva, Fiji & Leeds, England.
- Volunteer & Internship team projects in rural Fijian communities.
- In partnership with Fijian Government Ministries and organisations.
- All projects support the Fiji National Development Plan & UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Partnered with 100+ educational institutions globally.
- 5000+ participants on mobility and remote programs since 2009.
- Over $10m (FJ) invested into the Fiji Islands.
- x3-4 project leaders for each team of x28 volunteers.
To provide the funding, planning and logistical support to enable local communities, provincial councils, government partners and other stakeholders to achieve specific development aims. The aims are guided by the holistic development concepts of the National Wellness Centre (Ministry of Health Fiji) and the Towards a Healthy Fiji islands Initiative, which focus upon holistic development across 7 target areas: Physical, Mental, Social, Financial, Spiritual, Environment and Policy. These target areas of development are focused within the 7 target settings: Villages, Settlements, Cities & Towns, Schools, Churches, Workplaces and Sports. Through our Community Development volunteer programmes, Think Pacific is able to support and promote the core policy of Government partners and other stakeholders primarily amongst young people in rural settings.
“Passionate, Committed, Empowering, Empathetic, Positive, Decisive, Self-Aware, Aims Driven, Organised, Honest”
Each team of volunteers, on average, numbers between 20 – 26 individuals per project. This is the team; they will work and live together, sharing an experience and collaborating towards shared goals. On top of this, every project has a team of Think Pacific Leaders (3-4 per project, mixed international and Fijian) who oversee every aspect of the expedition and guides the experience of the volunteers and the community. The leaders are with the team 24/7 from the beginning of project to the end. For us, simply put, a Think Pacific Leader, as a staff member, is the frontline of project delivery in Fiji and the beating heart of what we do. The leader is the volunteer’s first point of contact and their immediate support throughout their entire experience.
- Facilitating the Aims and Objectives of the Project within the Community
- Volunteer Health Support: immediate first aid, liaising with the Health Team, support for volunteer medical trips, etc.
- Pastoral Support: Acting as a point of contact for all volunteers for pastoral care and support if experiencing anxiety, mental ill-health or following ‘traumatic’ events or incidents.
- Communication: Point of contact between TP Management and project on the ground.
- Community Liaison: Being the bridge between the team, the project aims and the community, addressing conversations within the village regarding all aspects of the project.
- Guiding the Project Experience: Overseeing day-to-day experience on the project and ensuring all are healthy, happy and enjoying themselves.
This is certainly a challenging and demanding role! Being a TP Leader is all about using your skills, passion and knowledge to facilitate the best possible experience for a team of international volunteers and a Fijian community, and to ensure our programmes have the biggest impact in the local community that hosts them and serves our wider aims as an organisation and charity.
Do you think you have what it takes to be apart of our 2024 Leadership Team? Applications close on Monday the 20th November 2023
**Please ensure to watch the session before submitting your application
Being a committed and passionate individual is essential when taking on the responsibilities and experience of being a Project Leader. Personal qualities you portray are integral to the professional impact you will have in what is a unique and people focused experience. These qualities are often influenced by your motivation which in itself will be your driving force during your time in Fiji.
- Energy and Enthusiasm – ‘Volunteers reflect their Leaders’
- Professionalism – Treat the Role with Respect
- Facilitator – It’s ‘Their’ Experience
- Organisation – Be Proactive Rather than Reactive
- Passion – Your Passion for TP’s Aims and Initiatives will Drive the Success of the Project
- Empathy – Genuine care for the Volunteer and Village Experience
- High Standards – Set the Standard for the Pride in Respecting the Local Cultures and Customs
As we aim to build our strongest leadership team to date, we are looking for mature, reliable and culturally-sensitive individuals who have the necessary leadership experience to consistently perform at a high level even when nobody is watching. The skills that we believe will possess such qualities are as follows:
- Experience of Leading Group Activities
- Passionate about Sustainable Development
- A desire to support and guide a group of like-minded individuals to achieve a collective goal
- Keen Interest in Developing Cultural IQ
- A strong sense of Resilience
- ‘People Skills’ and a Calm sense of Empathy
- Critical Thinking
- Strong Communication
- High level of Emotional Awareness, Self Discipline and Self Awareness
- The ability to manage a variety of demanding responsibilities within any given day.
- Acquire and implement new skills quickly, with an ability to think on your feet in a fast moving and changeable environment.
- Passion to foster and promote Think Pacific’s mission and values.
- Desire to contribute to global understanding of UN Sustainable Development Goals, Fiji’s National Development Plan and advocate the benefits of internationalisation.
- Strong communicator
- Ability to maintain high standards of recording and administration.
- Ability to interact with students, community members and partners in a positive and professional manner.
- Plan logically and in detail producing practical, effective solutions to achieve goals or overcome real problems.
- Display effective personal leadership and team work and help develop leadership skills of others.
- Understand the needs and expectations of local stakeholders, university partners and international volunteers.
This is a funded role overseas but not a paid job. You will receive funds to assist in funding your own flights, Think Pacific will also cover all in-country expenses during your project. Funding will vary depending on your country of origin, and expected travel costs.
- £1500 paid in advance towards travel and related expenses for leaders based in Europe
- $950 AUD in advance towards travel and related expenses for leaders based in Oceania
Also included:
- All accommodation whilst training as well as leader briefings and debriefs in Suva during and after each projects.
- A comprehensive online training program
- In-country transport once the project has commenced
- All food during the project delivery
- Think Pacific clothing, including a selection of branded t-shirts and sulu.
- In-country 5-days orientation and training in Suva, Fiji capital city.
- Professional reference and future job opportunities.
As part of your role, you will undertake training to prepare you for the position and to provide relevant qualifications for the work you will do.
- Training begins prior to you flying to Fiji. This will include:
- Information on our exclusive online platform to help you not only practically prepare for your trip but also to absorb information on responsibilities and tasks you will deliver in country
- Live webinars with our team
- An online community to share questions, experiences and generally start feeling a part of the TP team.
- You will be provided with your Leader Manual, your TP bible for all processes and should have an answer to every single one of your project related questions.
- In-country training: Delivered by our team in Fiji before you dive into delivering your project… a final opportunity for any questions and to engage in a more engaging workshop based training environment.
You will need to be available for a 10-11 week period between the 20th May to the 31st August 2024.
When do Applications Close? Applications close 20th November 2023
Our leaders go through a significant learning experience. We see huge self-development and personal growth and increased transferable skills, from confidence to project-based skills. This is alongside immense pride at contributing to the Fiji National Development Plan as we achieve positive change for some of the most rural communities in Fiji.
Above all, staff leaders have the experience of a lifetime and return with some of the most incredible stories, adventures, memories and achievements from working within a dynamic team at the heart of the Fiji islands.
The process is as follows:
- Applications Close on the 20th of November 2023.
- Applications will be shortlisted to attend in-person Recruitment Day on the W/C 11th December, or online interview for those outside of the UK
- Confirmation of application outcome.
- Attend Selection Day (There are hosted in two locations across the UK: London, and Leeds)
- Offers made to successful applicants Jan 2024
- On-boarded to leader training portal and online community
- 5 nights/ 6 days of training in Suva, Fiji between May – June (depending on Project Dates)
- Lead 2x 1-month Projects across a 10/11 week period
We aim to be the epitome of purposeful, responsible and empowering international projects and experiential learning programmes. Central to this is the depth of our association with local communities, government departments and organisations within Fiji, which is unique and unrivalled.
As an NGO, the depth of our association with local communities, government departments and organisations within Fiji is unique and unrivalled. Every project is planned in collaboration and at the request of rural communities and directed and monitored by Fijian Government Ministries to ensure our work has real purpose and long term sustainability. We are respected for working within the framework of the Government, adding benefit to long term strategies and the advancement of health infrastructure and access and opportunity for youths living in rural areas. This includes driving forward the aims of Fiji’s National Development Plan and being a key facilitator of the Ministry of Health’s ‘Towards a Healthy Fiji Islands Initiative’.
As a member of staff who would be working on behalf of our partners’ aims, we think it is important that you understand the bigger picture purpose of what we do. Partnerships are the most effective means of working in a unified and genuinely effective way towards shared goals: They are the reason Think Pacific is structured in the way we are and ultimately why our projects exist in the way they do!
Not only is this important for the practical elements of the development sector, it is an important ethical point too. For international support to be genuinely effective, there must be an understanding that due to cultural and societal differences, the direction of ‘development’ must be locally-led and any resource distribution to be directed to where it is most useful.
Think Pacific is an organisation built upon collaboration and long term partnerships, of which we are very proud. Every expedition is planned, directed and assessed by the communities, provincial councils and the Fijian Ministry to ensure it has vital purpose and long term sustainability. We are respected for working within the framework of the government, adding benefit to long term strategies and the development of rural areas.
We have partnerships with 4 Government ministries and 70+ Fijian NGOs and our projects are in service to their aims, increasing their capacity and providing opportunities for outreach. Hear from some of them in this video.
Fiji’s National Development Plan has been written to align with more broader global commitments including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Crucially, The Fijian Government have taken steps to apply UN SDGs to a Fiji-specific context.
By working towards the Fiji National Development plan, our projects and programmes act as a surplus of support in achieving all 17 UN SDGs, whilst ensuring implementation is tailored to rural Fijian settings and locally directed, managed and monitored by Fiji.
Learn More about the Wider Aims that we ServeThese are the values we ask every staff member & volunteer to live by…
1 . Passion; Drive the success of TP’s vision, mission and development.
2 . Mindset; Always be a positive role model by seeking solutions and outcomes.
3 . Resilience; Can achieve goals and motivate others, despite new and challenging environments.
4 . Humility; Be humble, respectful and mindful in all that we do.
5 . Accountability; Always take responsibility for our energy, impact and standards.
6 . Collaboration; Value working together. Always champion & support others.
7 . Aspiration; Always aspiring to improve, become better and achieve more.
Please feel free to contact Sienna, Recruitment Lead, via the email programadvisor@thinkpacific.com if you have any questions.
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