Principal Fisheries Scientist, Ecosystem Monitoring and Analysis Section Location: Noumea, New Caledonia

SPC invites applications for the position of Principal Fisheries Scientist, Ecosystem Monitoring and Analysis Section, within its Oceanic Fisheries Programme located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.

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, quality and standards for all school levels), 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 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.

Fisheries Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division - has two core units, the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and the Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP's goal is to ensure that fisheries exploiting the region's resources of tuna, billfish and related species are managed for economic and ecological sustainability, using the best available scientific information. The programme provides information to national and regional authorities on the status of stocks targeted or otherwise impacted by oceanic fisheries; it collects and analyses comprehensive scientific data on fisheries targeting the region's resources of tuna and other oceanic species; and it aims to improve understanding of pelagic ecosystems of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. OFP comprises four sections responsible for stock assessment, data management, fisheries monitoring and ecosystem analysis. The programme currently has 29 internationally recruited and 25 locally recruited staff and an annual budget of over USD 6 million. CFP helps to develop the capacities of member Pacific Island countries and territories to assess, harvest, develop, manage and conserve their coastal marine resources through advice and training by skilled fishers, post-harvest specialists, scientists, managers, aquaculture specialists and planners.

The role – the Principal Fisheries Scientist, Ecosystem Monitoring and Analysis Section, is accountable to the Oceanic Fisheries Programme Manager. The role is responsible for leading and managing the programme’s ecosystem monitoring and analysis section, currently comprising nine internationally recruited and three technical staff. The role involves planning, managing and communicating the section’s work; overseeing the provision of ecosystem and tuna biology research related services to SPC members, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the Forum Fisheries Agency; and contributing to ecosystem, biological research and other analytical work. The appointment is for three years, and is renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks a qualified and experienced fisheries scientist with expertise in project management and collaboration with peers and stakeholders in the development of ecosystem models, analyses and research to support stock assessment and ecosystem-based fisheries management. Attributes will include skills in leadership and management, research and publication of technical reports and scientific papers. He/she will be a consultative team player, with excellent representational, interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners in a regional context.

Key result areas – the position encompasses the following three key result areas for which the successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and experience.

1. Leadership – assist the Programme Manager in leading strategic planning and the development of annual work plans, budgets and reports to ensure that the section’s work meets the needs of SPC members and other clients; lead and manage the activities of the section to strategically deliver to plans, on time and within budget; manage staff performance, development and planning; develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with members and stakeholders, including other regional and global fisheries agencies and the scientific community on oceanic ecosystem research and related issues; and lead the section’s contribution to SPC publications and reports.

2. Ecosystem models, analyses and research to support stock assessment and ecosystem-based fisheries management – oversee the section’s delivery of all ecosystem and tuna ecology research services and special projects; participate in ecological and biological model development; conduct analyses and research that deliver new knowledge on the relationships between tuna fisheries, tuna populations and their physical and biological environment; document the results of research for publication as scientific papers, technical and country reports; and present research findings at regional and international scientific meetings.

3. Capacity building and technical support for ecosystem-based fisheries management – evaluate the conservation benefits and implications of current and potential Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission conservation and management measures for ecosystem and by-catch and provide ecosystem, by-catch and tuna biology advice and services to its Secretariat, Scientific Committee and technical working groups. Oversee the section’s collaborative delivery of technical scientific support services and national-level advice to SPC members and the Forum Fisheries Agency, including advice regarding the ecosystem impacts of regional tuna fisheries and scientific support for the adoption of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management through joint country strategies, tuna management plan support and other processes.

Key selection criteria – candidates will be assessed against the following ten key selection criteria.

1. Leadership – act as a role model to lead, inspire, motivate and develop others; make staff in the section feel trusted and valued; participate in the development of cross programme initiatives contributing to SPC’s goals.
2. Strategic thinker and planner – think and act with a long term perspective - develop and implement plans that deliver strategic and long term outcomes.
3. Resource manager – oversee the development and management of staff and budgets; anticipate and manage change and risks; negotiate for necessary resources from corporate and other sources; ensure that value for investment is achieved.
4. Results oriented problem solver – able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC members and other stakeholders.
5. Influencing skills – able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals, and demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.
6. Relationship skills – demonstrate excellent interpersonal and representational skills; contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders, with experience participating in regional or international meetings being an advantage.
7. Qualifications – possess a PhD (or equivalent) in fisheries science, ecology, oceanography or a related discipline and considerable relevant professional post graduate experience.
8. Technical expertise – demonstrate extensive research experience in fisheries oceanography and fisheries biology and ecology, preferably in pelagic fisheries such as tuna; a detailed knowledge of ecosystem approaches to fishery resource assessment and management; and sound technical and scientific report writing skills. Proven knowledge or experience of tuna fisheries in the Pacific region and highly developed skills in statistical analysis and modelling of fishery, biological and ecological data would be advantageous.
9. Language skills – proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
10. Cultural awareness – cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, in particular Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

Remuneration – The Principal Fisheries Scientist, Ecosystem Monitoring and Analysis Section, is a Band 13 position within SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 4,608–6,710 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 623,623–908,076 (USD 6,400–9,400; € 5,200–7,600). 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. SPC salaries are not subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time.

Benefits – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. 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).

Work environment – SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows. Smoking is not permitted in the work place. As an equal-opportunity employer, SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories.

Application procedure – The closing date for applications is Monday 20 August 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the ten key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses, for three referees.

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 SPC at recruit@spc.int or telephone + 687 26 20 00.

BACKGROUND – Established in 1947, SPC employs over 570 staff and is headquartered in Noumea, New Caledonia, with offices in Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. SPC has 26 member countries and territories including its founding members, Australia, France, New Zealand and United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners include the European Union, Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, United Nations agencies, Asian Development Bank, World Bank and Global Environment Facility, to name a few. SPC’s working languages are English and French.

SPC is led by the Director-General supported by two Deputy Directors-General, directors of its six technical divisions, a statistical programme, a strategic engagement and planning facility and a directorate of operations and management. The technical divisions include Applied Geoscience and Technology (SOPAC) Division, Economic Development Division, Education, Training and Human Development Division, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division, Land Resources Division and Public Health Division.