FISHERIES SCIENTIST (DEEPWATER SNAPPER)

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. SPC works in a wide range of sectors with the aim of achieving three development outcomes – sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and development, and sustainable human and social development. SPC was established in 1947. It has 26 member countries and territories and its working languages are English and French. SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji, and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and country offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Additional information on SPC can be found on its website: www.spc.int. SPC’S OCEANIC FISHERIES PROGRAMME Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) are unusually dependent on capture fisheries for food security and income. Consumption rates of fish in all Pacific Islands are above the global average and much of this is supplied by subsistence fishing, in addition to fish landed annually from commercial coastal fisheries. While most of the 2 million tonne catch of offshore (tuna) fisheries is taken by foreign based vessels or destined for export, this sector also makes a major contribution to national food supplies. . Income generation and employment in export-oriented fisheries and aquaculture are equally important to PICTs providing a significant contribution to the GDP of most PICTs. SPC’s Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) is one of two programmes that make up the Division of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME). 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 500 million CFP (USD 6 million). The Fisheries Scientist (Deepwater Snapper) will plan, coordinate and execute data collection and research, and facilitate/undertake assessments of the deepwater snapper fisheries of SPC members with priorities identified in SPC Joint Country Strategies. This will include building the capacity within the governments of SPC members to conduct future assessments of deepwater snapper resources. He or she will work closely with other programmes within SPC and the OFP. The Fisheries Scientist (deepwater snapper) reports directly to the Principal Fisheries Scientist for Ecosystem Monitoring and Analysis. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The position of Fisheries Scientist (Deepwater Snapper) encompasses the following major roles and responsibilities: 1. Research to support stock assessment and ecosystem-based fisheries management · Implement and manage research to address knowledge gaps in deepwater snapper biology and ecology, including exploitation rates, movement dynamics and spatial and temporal heterogeneity in reproductive and growth characteristics. · Coordinate, supervise and undertake laboratory work and provide training for staff, attached staff and trainees in laboratory and data analyses and interpretation. · Design strategies and approaches for collecting deepwater snapper fisheries data. · Establish a new data management system developed for deepwater snapper (SNAPMAN) with similar user interfaces to the system used for tuna. · Undertake assessments of deepwater snapper resources and their sustainability in partnership with PICTs. · Document the results of research for publication as scientific papers, technical reports and country reports, and present findings to regional and scientific meetings. 2. Support for ecosystem-based fisheries management by SPC members · Provide necessary support to build capacity with PICTs for ongoing management of deepwater snapper resources. · In collaboration with other FAME staff, provide advice to SPC members and provide scientific support for the adoption of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. 3. Administration · Assist the Section Head to develop the annual work plans and work plan reports for the Section, consistent with the strategic plan. · Maintain up-to-date corporate and administrative procedures for all activities undertaken. · Contribute where applicable to programme, divisional and corporate publications, such as fisheries newsletters, annual reports and divisional reports for CRGA. · Produce reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity, including technical reports and trip reports, and contribute to funding proposals and donor reports. · Fill in for the other staff when they are on leave or duty travel, when required. · Participate in other administrative duties as directed by the Principal Fisheries Scientist of the Ecosystem Monitoring and Analysis section.. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Essential Ø A relevant post-graduate qualification, preferably at Master’s level or higher, in fisheries science, ecology, oceanography or a related discipline, with considerable post-degree experience. Ø A thorough knowledge of fisheries research principles and techniques, including methods for assessing the status of stocks. Ø Extensive professional experience in the supervision and conduct of field-based fisheries research activities and laboratory-based analyses. Ø Experience of supervising post-graduate student research projects. Ø Well-developed skills in computer-based analysis of fisheries data, including skills in statistical methods and computer programming. Ø Ability to work for extended periods away from the home office. Ø Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical/scientific report writing skills, in English. Ø Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage contract staff. Desirable Ø Direct experience or knowledge of deepwater snapper fisheries in the Pacific region. Ø Experience in age determination and reproductive biology. Ø Extensive experience in the planning and implementation of fisheries monitoring and field research programmes using commercial and/or research vessels. Ø Experience in working in a culturally mixed environment. Ø A working knowledge of French. SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS SALARY AND ALLOWANCES The position is in Band 11 of SPC's salary scale. Salaries for staff recruited internationally are set in SDR (special drawing rights) and paid in the local currency (e.g. the French Pacific Franc, XPF, in New Caledonia). As per SPC’s 2011 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 3,589–5,182 per month. At prevailing exchange rates, these amounts convert to approximately XPF 490,257–707,861 per month (USD 5,600–8,200 / EUR 4,100–5,900). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. The organisation subsidises housing. An SPC-owned or SPC-rented house or flat will be made available, with the staff member contributing 25 per cent of the normal rental. In addition, an establishment grant is payable to non-residents of New Caledonia. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable. SPC salaries are not subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time. PROVIDENT FUND The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute eight per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution. TENURE The appointment is for a period of three years, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability. DUTY STATION Noumea, New Caledonia. LEAVE Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. Sick leave is 30 working days per annum. MEDICAL BENEFITS SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctors’ fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits. FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES For an appointee recruited outside New Caledonia, the cost of air fares by the most direct and / or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination. COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows. SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT Smoking is not permitted in the work place. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit, but in cases where two short-listed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES The closing date for applications is 09/12/2011

Applicants are asked to use SPC’s online recruitment system. Only those applicants residing in a Pacific country or territory who cannot access the online recruitment system are allowed to send their documents to: Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia or submit them by fax (+ 687 26 38 18) or email (spc@spc.int, preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format). All other applicants must use the on-line recruiting system or their applications will not be considered. Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position in their cover letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.