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MARITIME SAFETY & SECURITY ADVISER

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, particularly regarding its work in specific sectors, can be found on its website: www.spc.int.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

The Economic Development Division (EDD) of SPC is based in Suva, Fiji and also has staff located in Noumea, Pohnpei, Majuro (Marshall Islands) and Palau. The Division became operational on 1 January 2010 and is led by the Director EDD and supported by a Deputy Director (Energy), a Deputy Director (Transport) and a growing team of dedicated staff in Suva and the North Pacific.

The Director’s Office comprises multidisciplinary expertise to provide cross-cutting support to three programme areas as follows.

  1. Energy Programme, which was formed from the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission’s (SOPAC’s) energy programme and includes a petroleum advisory function.
  2. Pacific Information and Communication Technology Outreach (PICTO) Programme, which previously operated within SOPAC, and which links into SPC’s regional digital strategy component.
  3. Transport Programme, which includes SPC’s former Regional Maritime Programme and an aviation component that complements the work of regional aviation organisations.

TRANSPORT PROGRAMME

The Transport Programme provides core services in maritime and aviation policy, planning, legislation and regulation; human resource capacity strengthening; coordination of professional networks; and advocacy of regional transport priorities at national, regional and international levels.

The Pacific Plan identifies the importance of the transport sector and each development initiative mentions both aviation and maritime transport. Both modes of transport are vital to growth in economic areas such as tourism, fisheries and mining. The two industries face many of the same challenges in the Pacific, including large distances, low volumes, high fuel costs, large infrastructure development and maintenance costs, and an increasingly regulated operating environment.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Maritime Safety & Security Adviser is accountable to the Deputy Director Transport, within the Transport Programme of the Economic Development Division.

The role is responsible for serving the shipping sector of Pacific Island states in an increasingly internationally regulated maritime sector by providing advice on best ship management practices, in particular for small island states (SIS). It also provides technical expertise and assistance to governments on technical safety operations and subregional solutions on ship and port security to minimize substandard shipping.

In 2005, the Pacific Islands Maritime Association (PacMA) established the Safety Subcommittee to assist SPC with its work, utilising a skilled network of trained and experienced professionals willing to provide advice and support to the maritime transport sector throughout the region. Since then PICTs have also restructured, attained compliance with IMO instruments, set up quality systems, are maintaining seafarer databases, have ship registration systems in place and operate offshore registries. The PacMA Safety Subcommittee supplements national capacity during busy periods and accords mentoring and exchange information on issues that affect each country.

KEY RESULT AREAS

The position encompasses the following major functions or key result areas:

  1. Ship safety and security advice

  1. Provide advice for PICTs linking into international and regional standards and criteria on ship safety and security including engineering, surveying, repair and electro-technology information, Classification Society requirements, planned maintenance systems, etc.
  2. Make available constantly updated relevant information from international and regional maritime organisations or institutes on issues such as fatigue in a marine environment, damage to hull structures and appropriate explorations of new/alternative ship safety operations & practices.
  3. Manage the ship operators and repair facility database so that it can be developed and utilised to its full potential.
  4. Constantly update relevant information from international and regional technical safety and security organisations and make it available to Transport personnel and SPC's liaison contacts (focal points) in the PICTs.
  5. Develop draft and coordinate the review of regional survey and safety standards in technical areas for the PICT maritime sector through PacMA Safety Subcommittee.
  6. Assist the region's maritime sector to implement the provisions of relevant maritime safety conventions.

  1. Capacity development

  1. Review all training material in respect of ship safety and security and the ISPS Code, engineering, surveying, repair and electro-technology knowledge.
  2. Disseminate and impart knowledge on technical safety and security-related information and issues in seminars and workshops.
  3. Manage technical safety and security training courses, seminars and workshops for the Pacific Islands region maritime personnel (security in conjunction with the Maritime Port Security Adviser).
  4. Keep PICT maritime administrators aware of maritime safety obligations under international maritime and labour conventions.
  5. Manage and facilitate port/flag state control or port security internship / secondments for appropriate personnel from PICTs in conjunction with the Maritime Port Security Adviser.

  1. Data and information

  1. Provide information on PICTs national maritime safety standards and statistics for data entry into EDD electronic information systems.

  1. Assist PICTs maintain maritime safety and security compliance for rapidly changing international maritime standards.
  2. Coordinate and conduct regular audits on ports, maritime administrations and training institutes in conjunction with the Audit Manager.
  3. Assist in improving audit standards and reporting.
  4. Manage and collate feedback from secondees and trainees as required for data input into EDD electronic information systems.
  5. Collect and collate safety, accident and search and rescue data and information.

  1. PacMA safety subcommittee services

  1. Manage, coordinate and facilitate activities for PacMA Safety Subcommittee and align their strategic direction with the Regional Transport Framework.
  2. Represent SPC and the region at international technical safety and security forums.
  3. Perform an advocacy role with PICT governments and Transport Ministries regarding emerging maritime sector safety issues.
  4. Collaborate with other international or regional associations and agencies on technical safety and security matters.
  5. Ensure the achievement of Transport objectives in relation to ship safety, technical and security issues.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

  1. University degree with qualifications in maritime engineering or naval architecture; or a qualified Class 2 Chief Engineer.
  2. Ten years’ experience in shipping and/or port technical environment, ideally with an in-depth knowledge of the requirements of SIS and their ship safety operations.
  3. Extensive experience in ship surveying and/or repair and dry docking.
  4. Expertise in port and ship compliance, including experience in audit and implementation, utilising international instruments.
  5. Experience in data collection and analysis and the production of high quality reports, papers or publications regarding implemented regional solutions.
  6. Proven organisational and project management skills with the ability to prioritise workload and deliver projects on time and within budget.
  7. Track record in capacity building, including organising, developing and delivering training courses, workshops, seminars and meetings.
  8. Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills in English.
  9. Completion of quality management training.

Desirable

  1. Post-graduate studies in ship safety or security, including shipping or port issues studies.
  2. Preparation and publication of papers on technical or security issues.
  3. Technical superintendent; Chief Engineer with international experience; or senior shore management experience.
  4. Familiarity with domestic ship operations in small island states, preferably in the Pacific region.
  5. 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 (i.e. the Fiji dollar, FJD, in Fiji). As per SPC’s 2012 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 2,553–3,830 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert to approximately FJD 7,173–10,761 per month (USD 4,000–6,100; EUR 3,400–4,600).

An offer of appointment for an initial contract will made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications.

The organisation subsidises housing. A housing allowance of 75 per cent of the total rental, up to a limit of FJD 2,625 per month, will be provided. The minimum housing allowance payable is FJD 1,170 per month.

In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of Fiji. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable.

While SPC emoluments are 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.

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

Suva, Fiji.

LEAVE

Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. For expatriate staff members, home leave fares are payable after 18 months of service.

Sick leave is 30 working days per annum.

MEDICAL BENEFITS

SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctor 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 of Fiji, 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 OPPORTUNITY

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 25/04/2012

Applicants are requested to use SPC’s online recruitment system :  http://www.spc.int/job.html.