Manager Natural Resource Economics & Governance

BACKGROUND

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 Islands, 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.

APPLIED GEOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SOPAC) DIVISION

SPC’s SOPAC Division is based at its Suva Regional Office, Fiji and has approximately 100 staff and an annual budget of around FJD 30 million (USD 15 million). Over almost 40 years, SOPAC has attained a reputation for excellence by placing an emphasis on applying scientific and technical knowledge to improving the livelihoods of Pacific people. Initially the focus was on mineral and hydrocarbon resource assessment in offshore areas. With over 90% of the region being ocean, the economic potential of these resources was, and remains, very large. Today, despite the global economic crisis, there is a well-established renewed interest in seabed mineral resource assessment in many Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). A crucial part of SOPAC’s work is to provide guidance to PICTs, not only on the scientific and technical aspects of these potential resources but also on establishing sound national policy and regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, in this context the surveying and subsequent legal work to complete the establishment and declaration of sovereign maritime boundaries for all PICTs is most urgent.

The contribution of SOPAC to the scientific and technical – particularly geoscientific and geotechnical – understanding of the underlying root causes of environmental vulnerability remains critical. As vulnerability increases, particularly with respect to climate change and other natural hazards, sound knowledge-based adaptation strategies are needed in the context of coastal and nearshore environments, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction. In the generally small communities throughout PICTs, awareness raising, capacity building (especially at the technical level) and capacity supplementation (particularly at the professional level) will remain important across all the SOPAC work programmes.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

In recent years the SOPAC Division has provided cross programme economic and technical analysis in response to the strategic development needs of member countries. The Natural Resource Economics and Governance unit reports directly to the Director and contains a depth of knowledge and understanding of the development context of the region and how and where the technical scientific work of the SOPAC Division contributes to regional development. During this time the division has undergone major change as a result of implementing the recommendations for regional institutional reform and integration to the SPC. Work conducted within the SOPAC Division now needs to be more directly and strategically aligned to the operations of SPC.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager Natural Resource Economics and Governance is accountable to the Director of the SOPAC Division and manages a budget of FJD$ 100,000 per annum.

The role supervises at least one Resource Economist within the SOPAC Division and is responsible for providing strategic and technical input to support the efficient and effective delivery of the division work programme, with an emphasis on natural resource economics.

The incumbent provides strategic support in planning and operations across the division, including the development of the economics programme and relevant projects, planning, programming and monitoring and evaluation activities.

KEY RESULT AREAS

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

1. Provision of high level strategic and policy advice across the SOPAC Division, including project planning, proposal writing and project management assistance in the field.
2. Promotion of the natural resource potential of the region through technical resource assessment and technical input to policy design and the development of technical training activities at regional and national levels.
3. Management of the socioeconomic programme of the SOPAC Division.
4. Provision of support for the monitoring, evaluation and reporting work of the SOPAC Division.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

1. Tertiary qualification and professional training in economics, and ideally in natural resource economics, statistics, cost benefit analysis and non market valuation.
2. Eight to ten years’ experience in natural resource economics, with strong economic, research, analytical, policy and strategic thinking and reporting skills working in a diverse multicultural environment.
3. Ability to manage staff, projects and budgets in a diverse multicultural environment.
4. Experience in a developing country setting, including preparing grant/donor proposals and capacity building/training.
5. Mature team player with sound judgment, relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
6. Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills in English.

Desirable

1. A good understanding of the working environment of Pacific Island countries and territories and familiarity with the work of SPC and the SOPAC Division.
2. A willingness to undertake frequent travel both within and outside the Pacific region.
3. A working knowledge of French.

SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SALARY AND ALLOWANCES

The position is in Band 12 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 2,939–4,409 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert to approximately FJD 8,200–12,300 per month (USD 4,600–7,000; EUR 3,500–5,200).

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 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.

PROVIDENT FUND

The appointees 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, subject to a six-month probationary period, 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.

Sick leave is 30 working days per annum.

MEDICAL BENEFITS

SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctor fees, costs 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 appointees recruited outside of Fiji, the cost of air fares by the most direct and/or economic route for the appointees 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 31 May 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 online 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.

Important note: prepare and save your curriculum vitae, response to qualifications and experience 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.