Director, Applied Geoscience and Technology (SOPAC) Division

SPC invites applications for the position of Director, Applied Geoscience and Technology (SOPAC) Division located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji

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.

In applying, candidates should be guided by SPC’s vision, mission and corporate values, the role and profile of the Director of the SOPAC Division 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.

Applied Geoscience and Technology (SOPAC) Division – has a reputation as the premier resource for science and technology in the Pacific region and was integrated with SPC in January 2011. The division has three technical work programs: Ocean and Islands, Water and Sanitation and Disaster Reduction. Its activities and services to members include assessments of the potential of ocean and onshore mineral resources, maritime boundary data collection, coastal protection and management, geo-hazard assessment, water, wastewater, sanitation, disaster risk management, mapping and surveying (including GIS and remote sensing) and natural resources economics. The division’s work provides guidance on scientific and technical aspects of the region’s sea-bed mineral resources; supports development of national policy and regulatory frameworks; and contributes to geoscientific and geotechnical understanding of the underlying causes of environmental vulnerability in the region. Its work also focuses on developing knowledge-based adaptation strategies for coastal and nearshore environments, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction and awareness raising, technical capacity building and capacity supplementation. The SOPAC Division employs a team of around 100 staff of which 38 are recruited internationally and 32 are technical staff. Additional information can be obtained on SPC’s website: www.spc.int.

The role – the Director is part of SPC’s senior executive management team and is currently accountable to the Director-General. The position, based in Suva, Fiji, is responsible for the leadership and direction of the SOPAC Division and managing a multi-disciplinary team of around 100 staff and a budget of approximately USD 13.2 million. The appointment is for three years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks a dynamic, innovative, outcomes driven leader with a proven track record in strategic thinking, planning, policy analysis and development in the sectors covered by the SOPAC Division. The Director will have the skills required to lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team, be an excellent advocate, communicator and negotiator, and be able to work with other stakeholders and partners, particularly other technical and scientific organisations and sectors related to the SOPAC Division’s work. He / she will have excellent representational and interpersonal relationship skills, a reputation for delivering results and be skilled in influencing others.

Key result areas – The position encompasses the following five key result areas for which the successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress.

1. Provide vision, leadership, direction and management of the SOPAC Division to maximise impacts of regionally delivered services to SPC member countries and territories – coordinate the work programme and key functions of the SOPAC Division and oversee the management of its operations, including budgetary expenditure and staff recruitment, management and development.

2. Contribute strongly to SPC’s development, management and achievement of goals – lead analytical work that informs SPC’s development agenda in the sectors under the SOPAC Division; keep the executive abreast of major sectoral and thematic issues; lead divisional involvement in broad multi-sectoral and cross-cutting initiatives, particularly in the areas of climate change, food security, gender and non-communicable diseases; proactively monitor the implementation of the division’s strategic plan in supporting SPC’s corporate plan objectives; and contribute to collective decisions at the executive level.

3. Proactively drive policy innovation and manage change – lead analysis of the development challenges and trends impacting the SPC membership in areas relevant to the SOPAC Division; assess and respond to evolving needs and priorities of the SPC membership; maintain regular contact with sectoral counterparts in member countries and territories and respond to requests for advice; lead and develop new policy and programme initiatives; commission new projects; provide sectoral or thematic reviews in areas outside the scope of existing programme strategy and plans; and develop high-quality analyses and policy for consideration by decision-makers and for publication.

4. Be responsible for the division’s resource mobilisation and careful management of budget expenditure and reporting – develop and pursue divisional, multi-sectoral and multi-agency funding proposals to support achievement of the SOPAC Division’s and broader SPC goals; develop and pursue opportunities for increased project and long-term programme funding; manage the division’s budget; and provide accurate reports to partners regarding effective allocation of resources and impacts achieved with funding.

5. Develop and maintain strategic, collaborative professional relationships with clients and diverse stakeholders – maintain strong working relationships across SPC; maintain strong links with member governments and territories, in particular ministers, secretaries and / or directors of ministries / departments responsible for geosciences, minerals, disaster management and water and sanitation; development partners, members of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) and other stakeholders that deliver results to members such as the Chair of Science, Technology and Resources (STAR) and the STAR Network and the Circum-Pacific Council for Energy and Minerals; and participate in collaborative arrangements across agencies.

Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following 11 key selection criteria.

1. Leadership – demonstrate a clear vision for the division, act as a role model to lead, inspire, motivate and develop others; make staff in the division feel trusted and valued; develop and lead multi-sectoral initiatives contributing to achieving SPC’s goals.
2. Strategic thinker and planner – think and act with a long term perspective - develop and implement plans that deliver multi-sectoral SPC and stakeholder outcomes.
3. Resource manager – oversee the development and management of staff and complex 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 members and other clients.
5. Innovation and analytical skills – able to generate new ideas / opportunities; develop policy advice, based on sound analysis; support original solutions.
6. Influencing skills – able to influence, motivate and guide others to achieve divisional and organisational goals and demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.
7. Relationship skills – demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills; contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
8. Qualifications – possess a post-graduate qualification in: one of the earth sciences: geology or geophysics or a related field that is relevant to the work of the division; OR a bachelor’s degree in any of the above areas with a significant demonstrated track record of strategic and operational leadership of human and financial resources and / or having led and managed a large programme or service dealing with at least one of the areas of work of the division.
9. Technical expertise – demonstrate a depth of knowledge and expertise regarding current and emerging issues and priorities in the sector/s relevant to the SOPAC Division; have a track record of strategically responding to change and developing successful policies and solutions.
10. Language skills – proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
11. Cultural awareness – cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, in particular Pacific Island countries and territories.

Remuneration – The Director is a senior executive position in Band 15 of SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 4,674–7,012 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 13,100–19,700 (USD 7,000–10,600; € 5,500–8,300). 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. 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 25 June 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the 11 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 Sally in confidence, at sallyh@spc.int or telephone + 687 26 01 40.

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. It is a dynamic regional organisation, with a work programme that is currently undergoing review. 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 the two 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.