Stakeholder Engagement, Research and Samoa Context Specialist – Samoa

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Stakeholder Engagement, Research and Samoa Context Specialist for a consultancy assignment financed by DT Global – Tautai programme in Samoa.

Aninver Development Partners is currently preparing a proposal for the Tautai programme, supported by DT Global, focusing on equitable economic growth and improved fiscal efficiency in Samoa. As part of this vital governance initiative, we are seeking a qualified Stakeholder Engagement, Research and Samoa Context Specialist to support a comprehensive institutional review and strategic planning process for the national customs authority.

The assignment involves evaluating previous planning cycles, conducting thorough environmental scans, and developing a new multi-year corporate plan following the recent separation of customs from revenue functions. The ideal candidate will provide deep contextual expertise, ensuring that all stakeholder consultations, research activities, and strategic outputs are culturally appropriate, inclusive, and fully aligned with the governance environment of Samoa and Small Island Developing States.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Support the national customs authority in Samoa to undertake a comprehensive review of its previous corporate plan and develop a new strategic framework for the upcoming period.
• Facilitate inclusive, accessible, and culturally appropriate stakeholder consultations with internal and external partners, applying safeguarding and do-no-harm principles.
• Conduct rigorous environmental and situational research to capture local institutional dynamics, emerging border priorities, and cross-cutting development issues.
• Build strong consensus among senior management, government agencies, border partners, private sector stakeholders, and development partners regarding the new organizational vision and priorities.
• Contribute expert contextual insights to shape the final strategic framework, organizational review report, and implementation roadmap.

Scope of work

• Contribute to the project inception phase by reviewing relevant strategic, policy, and operational documents and refining the stakeholder engagement plan.
• Participate in the evaluation of the current corporate plan to assess relevance, effectiveness, and lessons learned from past implementation cycles.
• Conduct environmental and situational scans, identifying critical factors for success and assessing institutional, governance, and operational issues.
• Facilitate planning workshops and consultation sessions with senior management, middle management, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Engage with government agencies, border partners, private sector actors, customs brokers, importers, exporters, shipping agents, and development partners.
• Ensure that all consultation and research processes are inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive, integrating GEDSI and safeguarding principles.
• Support the drafting and finalization of the Strategic Framework, Organisational Review, and Corporate Plan for senior management endorsement.

Your role as Stakeholder Engagement, Research and Samoa Context Specialist

• Lead the design and execution of the stakeholder engagement strategy, ensuring broad and meaningful participation across all stakeholder groups.
• Conduct contextual research and situational analysis focusing on Samoa's governance, development, and institutional environment.
• Organize and facilitate inclusive consultation workshops and consensus-building sessions with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders.
• Apply do-no-harm, safeguarding, and culturally appropriate methodologies throughout all research and engagement activities.
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative research findings to inform the environmental scan, organizational review, and strategic priorities.
• Collaborate closely with team members to integrate local contextual nuances into the strategic framework and the new corporate plan.
• Provide high-quality written inputs and reports reflecting deep understanding of the local operating environment and stakeholder perspectives.

Requirements

• Education: Relevant tertiary qualifications in social sciences, public policy, or research
• Strong understanding of Samoa's governance, development and institutional environment, with experience working in Samoa, the Pacific region and/or Small Island Developing States
• Languages: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Samoan

Desirable

• Experience working within public sector reform or trade and border management contexts in the Pacific.
• Familiarity with DFAT-funded programs or similar international donor initiatives.

A culturally astute researcher and stakeholder engagement expert with deep knowledge of Samoa's governance and institutional landscape, dedicated to driving inclusive public sector reform.

Assignment details

• Location: Samoa
• Financed by: DT Global – Tautai programme
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a DT Global – Tautai programme-financed project in Samoa.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.