Position Description Business Development Manager/CEO Chamber of Commerce

Job Title: Business Development Manager/CEO Organisation: Niue Chamber of Commerce Reports to: Niue Chamber of Commerce Board Location: Alofi South, Niue Term of Position: 2 Years with potential to extend for a further year Salary: Dependant on experience but will be a competitive salary in regional terms. Salary package will include the use of a vehicle. Additional benefits for an expat appointment will include accommodation and relocation allowance where applicable.

The Government of Niue is focused on the sustainable economic development of Niue and the growth of the private sector. This role, based at the Niue Chamber of Commerce, and reporting to the Board of the Niue Chamber of Commerce requires an experienced business leader, advisor and economic development specialist to assist private sector improvement and achievement of the outcomes in the Niue Private Sector Development Plan and the funding contract with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Niue Chamber of Commerce is the mandated national organisation representing the Private Sector for Niue and provides a crucial training, support, advocacy and facilitation role in the development of a stronger private sector in Niue. The Niue Chamber of Commerce has over 200 active members.

POSITION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The new appointee is expected to build on progress of developing sustainable economic development in Niue by: ▪ Facilitating the achievement of the Niue National Private Sector Development Plan and any related activities in the Niue National Strategic Plan. ▪ Ensuring the Niue Chamber of Commerce achieves its objectives, and funding requirements, in relation to engagement with its priorities. ▪ Overseeing the day to day operations of the Niue Chamber of Commerce and supporting staff development. ▪ Capacity development for the Niue Chamber of Commerce to increase its legitimacy, value to membership, ability to advocate and promote private sector development in a self-sustaining manner.

The successful appointee must positively impact on key outcomes for Niue and the Niue Chamber of Commerce which are identified in the Niue Private Sector Development Plan and the Niue National Strategic Plan. These include: ▪ Increasing the GDP contribution of the private sector. ▪ Increasing employment numbers within the private sector. ▪ Improving viability and turnover of private sector businesses. ▪ Improving the skill base and business knowledge of business owners. ▪ Increase in the number of tourism related businesses.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibilities of this position are expected to change over time as the Niue Chamber of Commerce responds to changing needs. The incumbent will need the flexibility to adapt and develop as the environment evolves. It is important that in undertaking this work that good development practices are followed, and consideration is given to cross-cutting issues – gender, environment and human rights – which are relevant to sustainable economic development.

The key responsibilities of the Business Development Manager/CEO are:

Leadership ▪ Facilitate the development of strategic initiatives, projects and supporting Provides leadership that engages plans for the development of the private sector. and motivates others to succeed ▪ Represent the Niue Chamber of Commerce and build a reputation whereby and develop, and proactively share experience, knowledge and key government decision makers and funders seek advice and feedback on ideas. key private sector development issues. ▪ Facilitate the implementation and achievement of the actions and strategies identified in the Niue Private Sector Development Plan.

▪ Raise the profile of business and entrepreneurship in Niue.

Business Development ▪ Ensure assistance is offered to all Niuean businesses. Provides high quality business ▪ Proactively provide business advice and mentoring to Niuean businesses. development services that assist business start-up, growth, ▪ Develop and deliver suitable workshops and training courses on the basics knowledge and capability. of running a small business. ▪ Facilitate specialist training for sectors as required particularly across tourism, hospitality, agriculture, fisheries and export sectors. ▪ Assist new and existing businesses to develop commercially sustainable business plans and financials.

Operational oversight and ▪ Ensure that Niuean businesses are regularly communicated with. implementation ▪ Ensure the successful completion of events such as the annual business Maintains oversight of expo and the Niue Business Awards. programmes managed by staff and provides input to enhance ▪ Ensure that programmes managed on behalf of government, such as the understanding needed to achieve job subsidy and student work placement programmes, are effectively desired results. implemented and managed. ▪ Ensure management of the Fonuakula Industrial Park by staff meets agreed maintenance standards and revenue targets. ▪ Ensure networking opportunities for members.

Relationship ▪ Support the NCOC Board to maintain a regular engagement programme Management with government. Manages constructive working relationships with board, ▪ Ensure regular communication with New Zealand High Commission in members, government regard to the funding contract and any other relevant issues. representatives and other stakeholders to enhance ▪ Work closely with the CEO of Niue Tourism to advise and support new and understanding and co-operation existing tourism businesses. needed to achieve desired results. ▪ Achieve progress on, and buy-in to, key issues identified in the Private Sector Development Plan and Niue National Strategic Plan. Planning ▪ Facilitates the review of strategic plans and leads the development of Applies sound general planning annual plans and contracts. practices so that the Chamber operates effectively and ▪ Identify, and implement, initiatives and activities to broaden Chamber’s efficiently and delivers agreed funding base. outputs to support achievement ▪ Develop strategies for the development of the Fonuakula Industrial Park. of required outcomes.

Monitoring and Reporting ▪ Accountable for on-going performance of the Niue Chamber of Commerce Applies sound forecasting, against KPIs and funding contract with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. monitoring and reporting ▪ Monitor and manages on-going financial performance of the Niue Chamber practices so that the Chamber operates effectively and of Commerce against annual budget. efficiently, and delivers agreed ▪ Manage internal financial assurance processes for the Niue Chamber of outputs to support achievement Commerce and validates data for financial reporting. of contractual and plan outcomes. ▪ Ensure that reporting to funders meets all contractual requirements and standards.

Market Analysis and ▪ Monitor and escalate emerging trends in the private sector. Reporting ▪ Ensure the completion of an annual survey that identifies the scale, revenue Delivers high quality analysis and and employment numbers of the private sector in Niue. monitoring to support outcomes. ▪ Liaise with government representatives and external stakeholders to capture relevant information, reports and statistics on the private sector. ▪ Review regulations and legislation for any negative impact on businesses including unnecessary compliance costs or constraints.

Capability Development ▪ Help promote and builds commitment to Niue Chamber of Commerce’s vision, mission, values and services. Role model best practice standards and ensure that the ▪ Ensure that the Chamber meets best practice for the type of organisation. Chamber achieves these ▪ Provide professional development and support to Chamber board standards. members. ▪ Undertake planning for succession of role to ensure that local staff could successfully fill the business development role in future.

ACCOUNTABILITES: The Business Development Manager/CEO will report to the Niue Chamber of Commerce Board through the Chamber President and will be responsible for managing the Chamber’s staff, budget and operations.

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES: Management of 4 FTEs.

KEY FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Internal ▪ Chamber of Commerce Board (Executive Committee). ▪ Staff. External ▪ Members and wider private sector business community. ▪ Minister for Private Sector and Premier. ▪ Government of Niue representatives and heads of departments – particularly Niue Tourism, Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Treasury, Community Affairs, Education and Niue Development Bank. ▪ New Zealand High Commission and New Zealand government representatives. ▪ Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO). PERSON SPECIFICATION Qualifications & Technical Skills Essential: Appropriate tertiary qualifications in business, finance or relevant field. Proven experience in developing and assessing the viability of business plans. At least 5 years’ experience in providing small business advisory services. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable: Has successfully established and run a small business. Experience in tutoring or training small business programmes. Financial/accounting knowledge relevant to small businesses. Working knowledge and experience in strategy and policy development.

Experience & Knowledge required for Essential: effective performance in the position Experience in managing people, projects and budgets for small/medium organisations.

Ability to relate to a wide range of people.

Skills to identify opportunities to develop or expand small businesses. Excellent working knowledge of how to develop business plans and prepare financials for funding applications. Experience working in cross cultural environments. Experience in leading and mentoring staff to achieve results.

Experience in successfully supporting capacity development at the individual, organisational and enabling environment levels.

Desirable: Experience in supporting and reporting to a Board, either commercial or NGO. Experience in developing exporting businesses. Experience working in small Pacific Island country.

Personal Qualities Passion for small business development. Able to be a self-starter and to manage and prioritise work plans.

Extremely strong relationship management skills. Strong commitment to an output and performance based working style. Strong alignment with the goals of the Niue Chamber of Commerce and the desire to make a difference and promote and support change for the Niue private sector.

Understanding of the context of life on a small Pacific island and willingness to live and participate in such a community.

Selection Criteria – Essential Highly developed strategic management skills, with an ability to respond to changing situations and circumstances, set priorities, meet deadlines, show professional judgement and deliver result through effective management of resources (finances, equipment, programmes and services. Proven leadership ability in supporting and leading a strong culture of teamwork and accountability and build individual and organizational capability and responsiveness. A high standard of integrity and professionalism in dealing with confidential information and a commitment to service excellence and the achievement of tangible and measurable outcomes. Highly developed written and oral communication skills to meet the requirements of a wide range of audiences to provide clear and considered advices and influence and negotiate as required. Demonstrated knowledge, skill and ability in project management including the ability to consult and interpret the political, social and commercial environment. Proven ability to build and sustain strategic relationship with the key stakeholders and interact effectively and work with people of all cultures and backgrounds. Proven ability to lead effective conflict resolution. The ability to be open, honest, fair, and objective in decision making and to declare any potential conflicts of interest.

ORGANISATIONAL PROFILE

The Niue Chamber of Commerce is an NGO and is the mandated national organisation representing the private sector for Niue and provides a crucial training, support, advocacy and facilitation role in the development of a strong private sector in Niue. The Niue Chamber of Commerce represents the private sector of some 230+ registered businesses with a membership base of 220 businesses. This is the highest membership it has had in recorded times and has almost doubled in the past three years.

The Niue Chamber of Commerce has been appointed by the Government of Niue as the National Private Sector Organisation (NPSO) and is the country representative of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO). Formed with a constitution, the Chamber is governed by a 10-person Board/Executive Committee. A focus of the Business Development Manager/CEO has been to improve the governance processes and capability, and the majority of this is now in place. The current organisation structure is shown below.

The Niue Chamber of Commerce has a core grant funding agreement of $350,000 per annum through the Government of Niue from MFAT. Funding for this role is provided separately through Administrative Assistance funding from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Government of Niue). The Chamber also has small ancillary revenue sources and contracts.

NCOC Board/Executive Commmitee

Board Sub- Committees

Business Development Manager

Business Support & Events & Administration Membership & Marketing Project Coordinator Intern Education Manager Coordinator Coordinator Fixed Term FTE .75 FTE .75 FTE .75 FTE FTE

The Niue Chamber of Commerce has an Activity Design Document and a Private Sector Development Strategy which drive its activities and are based on three broad priorities. The first aims at ensuring that businesses face an environment conducive to business growth. They are then left to get on with it.

The second priority takes a more active stance on business growth. Market opportunities are identified and actively encouraged by Government, the Niue Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders.

The third priority is concerned with ensuring that businesses have an available supply of relevant skills to enable them to operate and expand. It aims to ensure that Niue has an inclusive and adaptable labour market that not only meets the demands of a growing, diversifying private sector, but also provides opportunities for a better quality of life for those people who make Niue their home.

Within these three priorities are a number of more focused strategies:

Priority 1: Get the basics right for business: ▪ Ensure Niue is business friendly. ▪ Ensure secure availability of land and premises. ▪ Improve transport links.

Priority 2: Enhance investment in people to improve skills and create a local workforce. ▪ Produce a skilled and responsive labour force. ▪ Build an entrepreneurial culture.

Priority 3: Create and capitalise on market opportunities: ▪ Assist businesses to benefit from tourism growth. ▪ Enhance access to capacity building and technical assistance.

PRIVATE SECTOR SNAPSHOT The Niue Chamber of Commerce has over 200 members. Of the private sector businesses in Niue: 81% are owned by Niueans. 24% have been operating for more than 10 years. 58% are sole traders. 62% are owned/managed by or in partnership with a woman. 60% have tourism as their primary focus. 21% have three or more full time employees. 28% are looking to employ additional staff in the next 12 months. 38% have difficulty finding suitable staff. 68% are confident their business will perform well in the coming year.

The major challenges for private sector business in Niue are: • Staffing • Competition • Increasing costs of materials and doing business – including freight costs • Infrastructure – particularly roads, water, connectivity and power • Lack of Insurance • Outdated Government Policy.

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF NIUE Niue is a raised coral atoll in the centre of a triangle of Polynesian islands, made up of to the east, to the North and the (to the south west). It is the largest raised coral atoll in the world, with a total surface area of 269 square kilometers with a circumference of about 73 kilometres. Niue is located 2,400 km north-east of New Zealand. Niue’s population is around 1,600 with a global Niuean population of about 30,000, mostly in New Zealand.

Niue has been self-governing; in free association with New Zealand, since 1974 and the people of Niue are New Zealand citizens. Under its constitution arrangements with New Zealand, New Zealand remains responsible for its defence. Niue is part of the realm of New Zealand with the Head of State being Queen Elizabeth II represented by the Niue Cabinet of Ministers. The Governor General of the realm of New Zealand also includes Niue.

Niue's Parliament (Legislative Assembly) consists of 20 members (14 constituency or village seats, and 6 common roll seats), elected every three years by universal suffrage. The Cabinet of Ministers has four members of which the Premier, elected by the members is the Chair and leader of Niue. The Government of Niue is responsible for the provision of all public services on the island.

Under the constitutional arrangement with New Zealand, New Zealand provides economic and administrative assistance to Niue. Economic assistance is provided in the forms of both direct budget support and project- related aid. The total annual recurrent income for the Government of Niue is $23 million.

The Government has a Niue National Strategic Plan, which has finance and economic development and private sector as two of its key pillars. This key role will deliver on many of the outcomes and activities under the private sector pillars which aim to maximize benefits from Niue’s resources in a sustainable manner focusing on the private sector development targeting tourism, fisheries and agriculture.

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Many of Niue’s challenges are similar to the constraints faced by many Pacific small island states, these being Niue’s limited access to air and sea services, lack of scale, distance from markets, labour-force emigration, scarce resource base, high utility costs, limited arable land and vulnerability to natural disasters.

Niue’s economic activity and employment is dominated by the public sector which accounts for approximately half of the country’s GDP. The public service is the major employer in Niue employing 350 employees of the approximate 800-person workforce. However, recent data highlights that the contribution of the private sector has been steadily rising over the past 5 years.

Tourism is now recognised as being the key growth sector for Niue and provides a range of opportunities for industries like agriculture and fisheries to achieve growth from increased demand resulting from a growth of tourist numbers. Significant infrastructure investment has occurred in the tourism sector where it is forecast that tourist numbers will double from the current 9,500 per annum over the next five years.

Income earners for the Government of Niue include fishing access licenses, philatelic and numismatics, bond store (the government is the main importer of alcohol), airspace fees and landing rights. The level of exports are limited in value and quantity within areas such as noni, vanilla, honey and small amounts of agricultural produce exported primarily to New Zealand (for example, taro).

Niue has a high per capita income by Pacific standards with the net flow of remittances being from rather than to the island. Private sector development has been a key priority for the Government of Niue and the number of registered businesses is at an all-time high of about 223 registered businesses. This has grown by 15% since 2015. Businesses in Niue are very much micro and small businesses. Only 45 businesses in Niue turnover more than $75,000 per annum.

LIFESTYLE Niue is a small country with a twice weekly direct jet service, provided by Air New Zealand, to and from Auckland on Fridays. Matson Shipping provides a freight service to Niue approximately every four weeks. There is no public transport on the island, though privately owned buses transport children during the school terms and there are a few small car rental companies on the island.

The infrastructure in Niue is well developed compared to much of the Pacific. Electricity is available all around Niue and power cuts are infrequent. Tap water is safe to drink and the main road is entirely sealed around the circumference of the island as well as the main internal roads. Fixed line telephones are available throughout most of Niue and a 4G mobile phone service was launched by Telecom Niue in 2018. There is a government owned radio and television station, and in addition some houses have Pacific installed.

There is one primary and one secondary school providing basic education following the New Zealand based curriculum. Niue has two official languages, English and Niuean (Vagahau Niue). All Niuean people are bilingual, speaking both Vagahau Niue and English language. There is also a Niue Campus of the University of the South Pacific providing higher learning within specific areas.

Access to goods has improved in recent times though there can occasionally be shortages of some household items. Shopping is limited to a few local stores with most goods imported from New Zealand. Fruit, vegetables and eggs are the primary exceptions with more now being provided from local produce rather than imported product (which is still available at some of the convenience stores).

There is one resort hotel, and a number of motel-type accommodation facilities provide medium and budget- level accommodation for tourists, and approximately 10 cafes/restaurants. There is a range of outdoor leisure activities, and many opportunities to be involved in local island life, in which the churches and sport play a significant role. Niuean culture and traditions are of great importance in the local communities and influence the conduct of daily life for all residents of Niue. It should be noted that there are limited opportunities for employment of an accompanying partner on-island. For further lifestyle information about Niue refer to www.niueisland.com.