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PETROLEUM ADVISER

PETROLEUM ADVISER

CLOSING DATE EXTENDED TO 28 MAY 2012

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, 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.

ENERGY PROGRAMME

SPC is the lead regional agency on energy and the Energy Programme is responsible for coordinating and implementing the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific (FAESP) to improve energy security for the Pacific. The Framework acknowledges that national energy policies and plans are the principal means for achieving energy security and promotes a ‘whole of sector’ approach, based on the concept of ‘many partners – one team’. This approach recognises that numerous stakeholders contribute to energy security in the region and accepts them as equal partners.

The Energy Programme’s staff structure, work programme and budget are based on the seven themes of the FAESP: (i) leadership, governance, coordination and partnerships; (ii) capacity development, planning, policy and regulatory frameworks; (iii) energy production and supply (petroleum and alternative liquid fuels, and renewable energy; (iv) energy conversion (electric power); (v) end-use energy consumption (transport energy use and, energy efficiency and conservation; (vi) energy data and information; and (vii) financing, monitoring and evaluation. This work includes energy policy, planning and law; petroleum; renewable energy; efficiency and conservation, as well as liaising with the Pacific Power Association and other relevant bodies in relation to power generation/electric utilities (urban and rural).

The Pacific Plan highlights the importance of the energy and transport sectors. The heavy reliance of both sectors on fossil fuel is an impediment to the sustainable development of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). The recently developed and endorsed frameworks for action on energy security and transport services and their corresponding implementation plans include guiding principles and identify national and regional priorities and action themes to improve the efficiency, safety, reliability and affordability of both energy and transport services.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Petroleum Adviser is accountable to the Deputy Director Energy, within the Energy Programme of the Economic Development Division.

The role is responsible for providing advice and coordinating the implementation of the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific (FAESP), in particular the regional effort to ensure reliable supply and safe transportation and storage of cost effective, good quality petroleum products (and feasible liquid fuel alternatives) to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) and to ensure that they are consumed in an efficient manner.

KEY RESULT AREAS

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

  1. Leadership, governance, coordination and partnerships

Lead the coordination of regional effort to find more reliable, safe and affordable petroleum supplies for PICTs.

2. Management

  1. Project management - Secure funding and manage projects that are aimed at:
    1. identifying alternative supply sources and distribution routes:
    2. improving economies of scale in shipping and storage logistics:
    3. improving national capacity to manage petroleum contracts and negotiations and to review pricing templates and verify price submissions:
    4. adopting petroleum product quality and safety handling standards for petroleum products.
  2. Manage staff and consultants engaged to work on petroleum-specific issues in PICTs.

3. Planning, policy and regulatory frameworks

  1. Assist PICTs in drafting and reviewing their Petroleum Acts and regulations.
  2. Assist PICTs in drafting and reviewing the petroleum components of their national energy policies, road maps and action plans.

4. Capacity building

  1. Strengthen the capacity of PICTs in petroleum pricing and supply contract administration and negotiations.
  2. Provide media releases and general public awareness materials regarding prices of petroleum products in PICTs.

5. Production and supply – access to affordable energy

  1. Conduct studies and advise PICTs on alternative and more cost-effective petroleum supply sources, routes and storage arrangements.
  2. Conduct studies and advise PICTs on the feasibility of altering petroleum product quality.
  3. Conduct studies and advise PICTs on required energy security investments in petroleum transportation, distribution and storage infrastructure, including resilience to the impacts of climate change.

6. End-use consumption – efficient and productive uses of energy

Consultatively develop energy- efficient, incentive-based regulations and legislation in the power generation and transport sectors.

7. Monitoring and evaluation

  1. Provide guidance to the formulation and update of the Petroleum Indicators of the FAESP in each PICT.
  2. Establish a database of petroleum-related data where non-confidential information published and accessible to the public.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

  1. An advanced university degree in Economics and/or Engineering.
  2. At least 10 years’ advisory experience in the petroleum industry with a sound knowledge of international petroleum standards and best practice.
  3. Demonstrated experience as a trusted broker working with petroleum consumers, governments and oil company stakeholders.
  4. Excellent communication, negotiation, influencing and reporting skills in English.
  5. Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to quickly master new material.
  6. Experience in leadership and people management in a diverse, multicultural environment.
  7. Experience in representation at regional or international meetings with established regional or international networks with sector peers.
  8. A willingness to undertake frequent travel both within and outside the Pacific region.

Desirable

  1. Brokerage, auditing or handling of petroleum products certification.
  2. Demonstrated experience in securing external funding and proactively developing new areas of work.
  3. A good understanding of the working environment of Pacific Island countries and territories and experience working in a developing country setting.
  4. 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 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, 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. 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 28 May 2012.

Applicants are asked to use SPC’s online recruitment system by following the link http://www.spc.int/job.html.

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.

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.

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.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES


The closing date for applications is 28/05/2012