SPC invites applications for the position of COSPPac Regional Officer, in the Ocean and Islands Programme of the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division, located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.
SPC
is the Pacific Island region’s principal technical and scientific
organisation. It delivers technical, scientific, research, policy and
training support to Pacific Island countries and territories in public
health, geoscience, agriculture, forestry, water resources, disaster
management, fisheries, education (community, TVET, standards and
assessment), statistics, transport, energy, ICT, media, human rights,
gender, youth and culture. Additional information can be obtained on
SPC’s website: www.spc.int.
In applying, candidates
should be guided by SPC’s vision, mission and corporate values, the role
and profile of the position and the key result areas and selection
criteria.
SPC’s vision
for the region is a secure and prosperous Pacific Community, whose
people are educated and healthy and manage their resources in an
economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way.
Our mission
is to help Pacific Island people position themselves to respond
effectively to the challenges they face and make informed decisions
about their future and the future they will leave for the generations
that follow.
Our corporate values are
underpinned by the principle of ‘making a positive difference in the
lives of Pacific Island people – putting people first’. They include
accountability, integrity, respect, transparency, sustainability,
people-centredness, gender equality and cultural sensitivity.
Applied Geoscience and Technology (SOPAC) Division – The
division, which was established when the former SOPAC was integrated
with SPC in January 2011, has three technical work programmes: Ocean and
Islands, Water and Sanitation and Disaster Reduction. Its services to
SPC’s members include assessments of the potential of ocean and onshore
mineral resources, maritime boundary data collection, coastal protection
and management, geo-hazard assessment, water, wastewater, sanitation,
disaster risk management, mapping and surveying (including GIS and
remote sensing) and natural resources economics. The division’s work
provides guidance on scientific and technical aspects of the region’s
seabed mineral resources; supports development of national policy and
regulatory frameworks; and contributes to geoscientific and geotechnical
understanding of the underlying causes of environmental vulnerability
in the region. Its work also focuses on developing knowledge-based
adaptation strategies for coastal and nearshore environments, water and
sanitation, and disaster risk reduction and awareness raising, technical
capacity building and capacity supplementation. The division seeks to
maintain a reputation for excellence as the region’s principal provider
of geoscientific services. It has a team of around 100 staff of which 38
are recruited internationally and 32 are technical staff.
Ocean and Islands Programme – The programme works
across a broad range of marine, coastal and island resource use and
applied science issues and offers a range of specialist technical
capacities, skills and tools to support
improved decision making and policy development, including in the deep
sea minerals sector. These services are delivered through a range of
mechanisms including capacity supplementation; partnerships with Pacific
Island governments and agencies; and through multidisciplinary
approaches to provide end-to-end services or a portion of a broader
programme or project work. The programme’s
technical role is directed towards the collection of baseline data such
as bathymetric products, maritime boundaries data, oceanographic and
geophysical data, geodetic data, geological and geomorphologic
assessments, environmental baselines such as marine ecosystem habitat
mapping, modelling hydrodynamic processes, and sea level and shoreline
monitoring. It also contributes substantially to data collection,
support and technical assessments in the area of vulnerability reduction
and climate change adaptation.
Climate and Oceans Support Programme (COSPPac) is
an AusAID funded programme that incorporates the former South Pacific
Sea Level and Climate Monitoring Project and is structured to deliver
across three areas: (i) capacity development and communications; (ii)
climate and ocean monitoring and prediction; and (iii) Pacific sea
level monitoring. This new programme, which is funded over four years
with a budget of AUD 31.5 million, commenced in July 2012 with the aim
of assisting Pacific Island governments and other stakeholders to better
understand and use climate, ocean and sea level products for the
benefit of island communities and governments. The division has had long
involvement in the sea level monitoring component of this work through
routine calibration and maintenance and non-routine repair of sea level
monitoring facilities and through its relationships with implementing
partners – the Bureau of Meteorology Australia, Geoscience Australia and
regional counterparts in the governments of Pacific Island countries
and territories.
The role – The position works closely with and is
accountable to the Manager Oceans and Islands to manage and implement
the COSPPac project work plan and annual operational budget of around
FJD 800,000. The role coordinates the development and delivery of a
range of strategic communications, advocacy initiatives related to sea
level, oceanographic and climate data and products, reporting and
logistic arrangements for 12 SEAFRAME sea level monitoring stations in
the Pacific region. The appointee will work closely and collaboratively
with implementing partners and Pacific Island counterparts and
stakeholders across the 12 project countries to build regional
understanding in support of adaptation to climate variability and
change, and to contribute to sustainable livelihoods and vulnerability
reduction. The appointment is for three years renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
The profile – SPC seeks a consultative team player with a proven track record in
developing technical and scientific communication strategies and
products. He/she will have a good understanding of Pacific Island
countries and territories and a knowledge of the sea level and climate
variability and change science issues affecting the region. Attributes
will include excellent
communication, advocacy and relationship building skills and the
ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse regional and
international organisations.
Key result areas –
The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability
and/or potential to progress in the following four key result areas:
Communication and advocacy –
Implement agreed components of the programme communications strategy as
set annually; develop and disseminate communications products; and
organise meetings and events to increase understanding of climate
prediction, sea level and ocean information among stakeholders.
Programme support –
Provide regional logistical and programme support to programme staff
regarding activities, meetings and events related to communications and
outreach initiatives; coordinate and support ongoing sea level
monitoring station logistics, connectivity and data collection; and
compile budget and other reports of programme activities.
3. Capacity building –
Serve as the regional programme contact officer within the Council of
Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) mechanism and other Pacific
Island government and stakeholder agencies and interests; assist in
identifying Pacific Island country and territory programme capacity
building priorities; and develop partnerships with staff working across
related regional projects, initiatives and activities to enhance shared
capacity and common delivery and implementation of project objectives,
i.e. Pacific Islands Global Ocean Observing System collaboration;
Pacific Islands Climate Change Roundtable; regional research interests;
and community initiatives in climate change.
4. Develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders –
Maintain strong collaborative working relationships across SPC;
maintain strong links with member countries and territories and other
relevant international agencies and development partners; participate in
collaborative arrangements across agencies that undertake work and
research in climate variability and adaptation; and actively participate
in coordinating meetings and processes at national and regional levels.
Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following eight criteria:
Project management – Demonstrate ability to coordinate and motivate others and lead collaborative activities in a complex regional environment.
Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new approaches; develop and support original solutions based on sound analysis.
Results oriented problem solver – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
Influencing and relationship building skills
– Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals;
demonstrate strong communication, advocacy and interpersonal skills;
contribute to building productive team relationships and partnerships
across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
Qualifications – Degree with a tertiary qualification in environmental science and/or strategic environmental communications.
Technical expertise
– Demonstrated experience in developing technical and scientific
communications strategies and products; excellent written and oral
communication skills; a good understanding of Pacific Island countries
and territories and a knowledge of the sea level and climate variability
and change science issues affecting the region.
Language skills – Proficiency in English, written and oral, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, with experience in Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.
Remuneration – The COSPPac Regional Officer is a Band 10 position in SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 2,133–3,200 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 5,993-8,991 (USD 3,300-5,000; €
2,600-4,000). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will
normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration
being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the
salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. While SPC
remuneration in Fiji is not subject to income tax at the present time,
this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji. Any
change in this status will apply to Fiji nationals.
Benefits – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170–2,625
per month. An establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses,
airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are
available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants.
Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave
per annum; life insurance; and access to SPC’s Provident Fund
(contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Application procedure – The closing date for applications is Friday 12 October 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the eight key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses, for three referees.
Appointment
– SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Staff appointments are based on
merit, without restriction as to nationality. Preference is given to
Pacific Islanders, given equal merit, qualifications and experience.
Apply online – Please use SPC’s online recruitment system at http://www.spc.int/job.html.
Important note:
Prepare and save your curriculum vitae, response to key selection
criteria and referee information as Microsoft Word documents BEFORE
attempting to submit your application online. It is not possible to
partially complete your application via the online system, save it and
return to complete later.
Can’t access the online recruitment system? Apply via email: recruit@spc.int;
fax: +687 26 38 18 or post: Sally Clark Herrmann, Recruitment and Staff
Development Officer, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5,
98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia.
Need assistance? Contact Sally in confidence, at sallyh@spc.int or telephone +687 26 01 40.
