Plant Virus Diagnostic Officer, Land Resources Division

Location:	Suva, Fiji
Job Code:	12/33
# of openings:	1
Description
SPC invites applications for the position of Plant Virus Diagnostic Officer, Land Resources 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 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. Land Resources Division – provides expert advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes: plant protection; conservation; plant genetic resources; animal health and production; agroforestry; biosecurity and trade facilitation and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. The Land Resources Division’s work is organised under three objectives: improved food and nutritional security; integrated and sustainable agricultural and forestry resource management and development; and improved and increased trade in agriculture and forestry products. The division currently provides services to meet the three objectives via the following seven technical / thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production; Genetic Resources; and Forest and Trees. It currently employs a team of around 90 staff of which 83% are technical staff and 42% are internationally recruited. Additional information can be obtained on SPC’s website: www.spc.int. The Genetic Resources Thematic Team – contributes to the division’s objectives by facilitating access to both traditional and improved agrobiodiversity maintained at its Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT). The centre is the genebank for the Pacific region and houses a globally unique collection of taro and other aroids, as well as conserving diversity of crops and selected tree species for present and future generations. The centre also plays a key role in ensuring that the countries of the Pacific have access to traditional diversity and to improved crops, which can be crucial in the management of pests and diseases, and in securing food production within a changing climate. Crop diversity can also assist countries in taking advantage of market opportunities. The role – the Plant Virus Diagnostic Officer is accountable to the Genetic Resources Team Coordinator/Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees Manager, within the Genetic Resources Thematic Team. The role is responsible for: performing virus diagnostics and research on viruses affecting relevant crops; developing methods to eliminate crop virus; and assisting with the overall operations of the centre, which focuses its work in the areas of crop diversity and climate change. The appointment is for two years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability. The profile – SPC seeks a qualified biologist with a proven track record in virus diagnostics in tropical crops, and experience in developing and maintaining technical databases, designing and implementing experiments and supervising and training staff in the use of biotechnology laboratory equipment. Attributes will include excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including advanced report writing skills. Key result areas – The position encompasses the following four key result areas for which the successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress. Virus diagnostics and research – conduct virus testing on the centre’s collections and research new virus diagnostic techniques and optimise them for use; define virus indexing protocols and procedures to be adopted and maintain updated virus indexing records; undertake virus diagnostic work for Pacific Island countries and territories to support national genebanks and capacity; provide virus indexing training when required; and ensure the virus indexing laboratory runs according to internationally approved standards. Virus elimination – identify and evaluate virus elimination methodologies suitable to different crops and viruses; determine best protocols for routine usage per crop and virus and define a generalist protocol; clean virus infected accessions and make available for distribution. Efficient and effective operation of the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees and Genetic Resources Programme – maintain the centre and programme website content; maintain the local area network database and the Pacific Genetic Resource Database; evaluate the database GRIN-GLOBAL (Germplasm Resource Information Network – GLOBAL) for SPC adoption; supervise and train staff in the proper use of laboratory equipment; and maintain laboratory operations and practices that meet international standards. Crop diversity and climate change – promote crop diversity as a tool for managing climate change; maintain a climate ready database, recording distribution and evaluation data; and identify and develop knowledge products for crop diversity and climate change. Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following 8 key selection criteria. Leadership – demonstrate ability to coordinate and motivate others and to lead laboratory research and projects in a complex regional environment. Innovation and analytical skills – able to generate new ideas / opportunities; develop advice, based on sound analysis; support original solutions. Results oriented problem solver – able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for members and other clients. Relationship skills – demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills; contribute to building productive team relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders. Qualifications – possess a degree in biological science or a postgraduate diploma in biology; a master’s degree in science with emphasis on molecular diagnostics would be an advantage. Technical expertise – demonstrate experience in virus diagnostics in tropical crops; a good working knowledge of biotechnology laboratory techniques and equipment; proven ability to design, implement and supervise experiments; experience in writing reports, articles and papers and the use of database systems; and the ability to provide training and supervision to staff. It would be an advantage to have demonstrated tissue culture laboratory experience; expertise in at least four virus elimination methodologies and in the latest technologies in virus indexing such as polymerase chain reaction methods; and knowledge of climate change issues. Language skills – proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage. Cultural awareness – cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, in particular Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage. Remuneration – The Plant Virus Diagnostic Officer is a Band 8 position within SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 1,697–2,545 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currentlyconverts to approximately FJD 4,800–7,200 (USD 2,500–3,800; € 2,000–3,000). 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 Wednesday 18 July 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the 8 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.