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SEAFARER DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

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.

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.

The Pacific Countries Ports Association amended its constitution in 2010 to reflect the establishment of the PMTA with a broadened scope of membership including maritime transport and related organisations, associations and other bodies, whether governmental, public or private, incorporated or unincorporated or individuals interested in supporting and promoting the objects of the Alliance. This alliance has been incorporated in Tonga under the Incorporated Societies Act (CAP. 28) with secretariat and treasury services provided by the EDD Transport Programme within SPC.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Seafarer Development Officer is accountable to the Deputy Director Transport, within the Transport Programme of the Economic Development Division.

The role is responsible for providing seafarer training, simulator examination and technical assistance for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) in accordance with the objectives of the Transport Programme.

KEY RESULT AREAS

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

  1. Simulator Training

  1. Schedule and conduct high quality maritime training for Maritime Training Institute (MTI) trainers.
  2. Train MTI trainers using the SPC portable navigation simulator and assist them to train seafarers to the IMO Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers.
  3. Conduct simulator navigations examinations in accordance with STCW requirements up to the Manila Amendments.
  4. Be responsible for the simulation equipment and accountable to the EDD systems team for equipment maintenance, care and storage.

2. Technical training advice and reporting

  1. Deliver and support the provision of maritime training advice.
  2. Deliver and support technical module development in conjunction with the PacMA Education and Training Subcommittee and the Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance (PMTA) Training Committee.
  3. Assist with data collection and maintaining databases for maritime training reporting.
  4. Assist with the re-development of Neptune to STCW standards and the population of PICT MTI and maritime Administration data into the regional system.
  5. Conduct regular analysis of training statistics.

  1. Maritime development initiatives

  1. Deliver and support the development of partnerships and collaborative arrangements with member government agencies and other organisations in the maritime training sector.
  2. Facilitate or organize maritime related training courses, workshops and seminars.
  3. Assist with other maritime initiatives as directed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

  1. A tertiary qualification in maritime navigation with foreign-going Master >500 GRT qualifications from a recognised institution.
  2. At least seven years' experience as Master 500 gross tons or more, with at least two years’ of exposure to navigation management processes as Master >500 GRT on foreign-going vessels.
  3. Track record in organising, developing and delivering maritime training courses, workshops and seminars to diverse participants, utilizing computer software packages and simulator equipment.
  4. Demonstrated knowledge of STCW Manila Amendments.
  5. Proven organisational and project management skills with the capacity to work collaboratively in a diverse, multicultural team environment.
  6. Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills in English.
  7. Maturity and judgement to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Desirable

  1. Qualifications in training using computer or simulation equipment, or a diploma or degree.
  2. A working knowledge of French.
  3. Strong levels of commitment, personal drive and initiative.

SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SALARY AND ALLOWANCES

The position is in Band 10 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 2011 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 2,133–3,200 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert to approximately FJD 5,900–8,900 per month (USD 3,300–5,000; € 2,500–3,800).

Offers of appointment for initial contracts 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 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

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 30/04/2012

Applicants are requested to use SPC’s online recruitment system :  http://www.spc.int/job.html. Only those applicants who cannot access the online recruitment system may 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. Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address in their cover letter how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.