Fisheries Scientist (PNA Support), Oceanic Fisheries Programme

Location:	Noumea, New Caledonia
Job Code:	12/37
# of openings:	1
Description
SPC invites applications for the position of Fisheries Scientist (PNA Support) within its Oceanic Fisheries Programme located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia. 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. For more information, visit www.spc.int. In applying, candidates should be guided by SPC’s vision, mission and corporate values, the role and profile of the position 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. Fisheries Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division - has two core units, the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and the Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP's goal is to ensure that fisheries exploiting the region's resources of tuna, billfish and related species are managed for economic and ecological sustainability, using the best available scientific information. The programme provides information to national and regional authorities on the status of stocks targeted or otherwise impacted by oceanic fisheries; it collects and analyses comprehensive scientific data on fisheries targeting the region's resources of tuna and other oceanic species; and it aims to improve understanding of pelagic ecosystems of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. OFP comprises four sections responsible for stock assessment, data management, fisheries monitoring and ecosystem analysis. The programme currently has 29 internationally recruited and 25 locally recruited staff and an annual budget of over USD 6 million. CFP helps to develop the capacities of member Pacific Island countries and territories to assess, harvest, develop, manage and conserve their marine resources through advice and training by skilled fishers, post-harvest specialists, scientists, managers, aquaculture specialists and planners. The role – The Fisheries Scientist (PNA Support) is a newly funded position accountable to the Principal Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment Modelling). The role is responsible for undertaking analyses and interpretation of biological data and fisheries statistics to support the assessment and management of pelagic fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean;and the provision of policy advice and scientific support for management initiatives coordinated by the office of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (www.pnatuna.com) on behalf of its members. The appointment is for two years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability. The profile – SPC seeks a qualified and experienced fisheries scientist with expertise in stock assessment; the provision of scientific advice to fishery managers; and application of reference points and harvest control rules for fisheries management. Attributes will include skills in quantitative analysis, research and publication of technical and scientific reports and projects.He/she will be a collaborative team player, with the representational, interpersonal and communication skills required to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners in a regional context. Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability, and potential to progress, in the following five key result areas of the position: 1. Technical advice and support – Provide high level scientific input to support the Marine Stewardship Council certification process and analytical support and data analysis regarding the implementation of PNA fisheries management arrangements. 2. Lead collaborative development of fisheries management objectives – Harness scientific support for the establishment of target and limit reference points and harvest control rules; and lead and develop collaborative bioeconomic analyses to determine reference points that maximise fishery management objectives. 3. Capacity building – Provide country specific bioeconomic advice to PNA members on implications of particular PNA-wide implemented or proposed management measures; assist in the development and delivery of regional workshops and activities to build in-country capacity to interpret and apply information on fisheries management; host attachments from member countries and provide training in analytical and data handling methods; provide assistance and deliver presentations at national and subregional meetings to improve the technical capacity of PNA members. 4. Disseminate and communicate technical advice – Develop papers and deliver presentations for regional and national audiences to communicate and disseminate the results of analyses. 5. Administration – Assist the Section Head in developing annual work plans and reports consistent with the strategic plan; maintain up to date corporate and administrative procedures for all activities undertaken; contribute to SPC publications and reports; produce high-quality technical and trip reports; and assist in developing funding proposals and donor reports. Key selection criteria – candidates will be assessed against eight key selection criteria: Strategic thinker and planner – Able to think and act with a long term perspective - develop and implement plans and projects that deliver strategic and long term outcomes. Results oriented problem solver – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders. Influencing skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals, and demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills. Relationship skills – Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and representational skills; contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders, with experience participating in regional or international meetings being an advantage. Qualifications – Postgraduate degree in fisheries biology, stock assessment or a related discipline; with a PhD in one of these areas or in natural resource management, bioeconomic modelling or similar being an advantage. Technical expertise – Able to demonstrate extensive practical experience and thorough knowledge of fisheries stock assessment principles and techniques, with quantitative fisheries science expertise in providing scientific advice to fishery managers; strong quantitative analytical skills; experience in data modelling and programming with advanced skills in either R, C++ or ADMB; and experience in the application of reference points and harvest control rules for fisheries management. Experience in international fisheries management and procedures for scientific input, and in the provision of scientific advice concerning western Pacific tuna fisheries, particularly for developing countries, would be advantageous. Language skills – Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage. Remuneration – The Fisheries Scientist (PNA Support) is a Band 11 position within SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 3,589 –5,182 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 485,711–701,280 (USD 5,000–7,300; € 4,000–5,800). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally 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. SPC salaries are not subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time. Benefits – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. 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 Wednesday 15 August 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the eight 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 SPC at recruit@spc.int or telephone + 687 26 20 00.