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.
Land Resources Division – The Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes: plant protection; conservation; plant genetic resources; animal health and production; agroforestry; biosecurity and trade facilitation and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. This work has three objectives: improved food and nutritional security; integrated and sustainable agricultural and forestry resource management and development; and improved and increased trade in agriculture and forestry products. The division’s services are provided through seven technical / thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production; Genetic Resources; and Forest and Trees. It currently has around 90 staff of which 83% are technical staff and 42% are internationally recruited.
Enhanced Climate Change Resilience of Food Production Systems Project – Funded by USAID, this regional project is aimed at evaluating and implementing innovative techniques and management approaches to increase the climate change resilience of terrestrial food production systems for communities in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The work involves introducing integrated agricultural production systems based on assessments of the climate resilience of existing systems at selected sites, supported by improved land-system data and analysis tools, such as vegetation and land use mapping and the application of GIS. The project aims to build the capacity of participating countries to utilise participatory and GIS tools and techniques, help identify key areas of food supply vulnerability, and monitor vegetation and land cover change over time, using available country-level climate change projections. Project outputs will aid and inform the development of national and agriculture sector climate change adaptation response strategies in the recipient countries and other Pacific Island countries and territories.
The role – Reporting to the Coordinator Crop Production and Extension, this newly created position is responsible for providing technical support in implementing the “Enhanced climate change resilience of food production systems” project. The role will review threats to food availability and access in participating countries; facilitate dialogue forums to formulate best practice policy for improving food production; and keep abreast of international food security issues and challenges. The appointment is for three years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
The profile – SPC seeks a collaborative team player with a proven track record in field programme/project management, implementation and evaluation within a developing country setting. Attributes will include strong research, analysis and technical advisory skills; and knowledge and expertise in food security and climate change/variability issues and linkages, ideally in the Pacific region. He/she will be an effective communicator with the representational, interpersonal and communication skills needed to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners.
Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability, and potential to progress, in the following four key result areas of the position:
1. Technical support – Provide technical support and advice regarding the implementation of the “Enhanced climate change resilience of food production systems” project, including support to divisional staff in preparing food security project information, briefings, proposals and reports, and coordinate their inputs into SPC Food Security monitoring and reporting processes.
2. Research and information dissemination – Keep abreast of international food security development issues and challenges; review threats to food availability and access in the Pacific; and facilitate forums comprising divisional technical staff and SPC’s regional members to discuss and formulate best practice policy for improving food availability and access in the Pacific.
3. Capacity building – Develop and lead capacity building support, training and mainstreaming activities for technical staff in SPC and in its member countries and territories in regard to food security, availability and access issues; and work with national counterparts in related agencies to identify potential opportunities for technical exchange to the Land Resources Division to engage in training and capacity development activities.
4. Develop and maintain strategic, collaborative relationships with clients and diverse stakeholders – Maintain strong collaborative working relationships with divisional staff and across SPC; maintain strong links with member countries and territories and other relevant international agencies and development partners; participate in collaborative arrangements across agencies and actively participate in coordination meetings and processes at national and regional levels.
Key selection criteria – candidates will be assessed against the following nine key selection criteria.
- Project Management – Demonstrate ability to coordinate and motivate others and lead collaborative research and field projects 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 skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals, and demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.
- 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.
- Qualifications – Postgraduate degree in agricultural science, agricultural economics or related field, with a masters level qualification being an advantage.
- Technical expertise – Demonstrated track record in field programme development, implementation, management, review and evaluation, within a developing country setting; experience in using management information systems and field project monitoring and reporting systems; strong research, analysis and technical advisory skills; and expertise in food security and climate change/variability issues and linkages, ideally in the Pacific region.
- Language skills – Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
- Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, in particular Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.
Remuneration – The Food Security Technical Officer is a Band 10 position within 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 6,000–9,000 (USD 3,300–5,000; € 2,700–4,000). 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 is not subject to income tax in Fiji 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. 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 13 August 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the nine 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. The organisation has 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.
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