Country Director (USP Solomon Islands)
Solomon Islands Campus
Position Number: SCS001
The Opportunity
The University of the South Pacific (USP) is seeking an outstanding senior leader to serve as Country Director (USP Solomon Islands), based at the USP Campus in Honiara.
Reporting as the University’s most senior representative in-country, the Country Director acts as the strategic and diplomatic interface between USP and the national environment, including government, development partners, and key stakeholders. The role provides executive leadership for the campus, ensuring delivery of the University’s strategic priorities while strengthening partnerships and advancing USP’s visibility and impact in the Solomon Islands.
This position forms part of USP’s regional leadership architecture, which strengthens in-country strategic leadership through the establishment of Country Director roles across all regional member country campuses. It reflects a deliberate shift to elevate national engagement while professionalising campus operations through dedicated operational management.
The role is central to building strong national partnerships and ensuring that USP’s programmes, research, and student outcomes remain aligned with national development priorities, workforce needs, and the evolving aspirations of Pacific communities.
USP is a unique, multinational university jointly owned and governed by 12 Pacific Island member countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, with Papua New Guinea on the cusp of becoming a full member.
One of only two regional universities in the world, USP serves a region spanning 33 million square kilometres of ocean. It is a living embodiment of Pacific aspiration, a repository and promoter of knowledge about the history, cultures, and natural environments of the Pacific Islands. Guided by Pacific values of inclusive and participatory dialogue, USP’s mission is to influence Pacific Islanders through the pursuit of excellence in knowledge, improving the lives of individuals and communities, and shaping the futures of generations to come.
This role offers a rare opportunity to lead at the intersection of higher education, regional development, and national priorities, and to contribute meaningfully to the future of the Pacific.
The Role
The Country Director provides strategic leadership and institutional representation in-country, with a strong focus on:
- building and maintaining effective relationships with national stakeholders, including relevant ministries and agencies
- ensuring alignment between USP’s activities and national development, workforce, and education priorities
- representing the University at a senior level across government, community, and partner engagements
- strengthening the University’s visibility, relevance, and impact in-country
- supporting the strategic interface between the campus, national stakeholders, and the University’s governance structures
The role works closely with Government and national stakeholders while operating within USP’s governance framework and maintaining institutional independence.
The Country Director leads the overall direction of the campus, while day-to-day operational management is undertaken by a Manager, Campus Operations, ensuring that operational delivery is professionally managed and enabling the Country Director to focus on strategic leadership and engagement.
SCS001_Position Description_Country Director (USP Solomon Islands).pdf
The Person we Seek
To be considered for this position, applicants must have:
Essential
- A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field, or equivalent senior-level leadership experience in a tertiary, public sector, or international development context
- Proven experience in high-level stakeholder engagement, particularly within complex institutional or government environments
- Demonstrated strategic leadership, including implementing organisational priorities at a national or system level
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills
- Sound understanding of the tertiary education landscape and sensitivity to Pacific regional contexts
Desirable
- Experience representing an organisation at a senior national or regional level
- Familiarity with USP’s regional mandate, governance structures, and development partnerships
- Proficiency and/or good working knowledge of relevant local languages, together with demonstrated cross-cultural competence
Enquiries and Further Information
Please contact Ms. Agnes Kotoisuva, Executive Director, People and Workforce Strategy Email: agnes.kotoisuva@usp.ac.fj
Term of Appointment
The position is available for a term of three years and may be renewed by mutual agreement.
Eligibility
Citizens of USP member countries are strongly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to suitably qualified citizens of Solomon Islands.
Salary Range
SBD 514,212.77 to SBD 628,981.40 per annum
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is: Wednesday 03 June 2026
How to Apply
Click the Apply button to apply for this position online.
The advertisement criteria is available on the University website (www.usp.ac.fj) under Employment Opportunities.
Applicants must submit:
- Academic credentials and transcripts
- A cover letter addressing the key selection criteria
- A current resume with the names of three referees, including the most recent direct supervisor
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The University of the South Pacific is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and equitable environment that protects the rights of all individuals. USP promotes mutual respect, constructive empowerment and progress among its staff, students and stakeholders.
USP is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background, gender or ability.
