Trainer, Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team

SPC invites applications for a Trainer within its Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team, 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. Additional information can be obtained on SPC’s website: 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.

The human rights education Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team – became part of SPC in July 2008 and is located within its Education, Training and Human Development Division. It operates from two offices - one in Suva, Fiji and one in Port Vila, Vanuatu - with Country Focal Officers posted in Samoa, Tuvalu, Nauru, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Tonga, and a potential further position in Federated States of Micronesia. It has an External Advisory Board composed of eminent persons who provide policy and planning advice. RRRT provides technical advice, training and education throughout the Pacific in six key areas; (i) legislation addressing violence against women, (ii) HIV and human rights, (iii) support to national-level human rights initiatives, (iv) support to ratification and reporting on human rights conventions including the Universal Periodic Review process, (v) access to justice and legislative lobbying, (vi) and the establishment of a regional human rights mechanism. It currently employs a team of 28 staff and has an annual operating budget of FJD 4 million.

The role - the Trainer is accountable to the Programme Manager and a Senior Trainer. The role is responsible for the provision of training and some technical advice on key human rights issues in the Pacific. The appointment is for three years and is renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks an experienced social/community development worker with a proven track record in providing social policy advice regarding gender and human rights issues in a complex regional environment. He/she will possess some financial project management skills and be a team player with excellent coordination, interpersonal and communication skills and be able to work with diverse stakeholders and partners. Previous experience in a training or community facilitator role would be advantageous.

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.

1. Training and capacity building – identify, collate, adapt and develop human rights training materials by identifying partner needs to develop training objectives in areas within RRRT’s remit such as access to justice, disability and violence against women; plan training programmes and deliver training sessions to meet objectives; and evaluate training and report on training outcomes.

2. Coordination – assist in providing training and information advice, mentoring and policy support in the design and delivery of human rights strategies and activities; work in partnership with trainers and Country Focal Officers; provide supervision of work plans, programmes and budgets; assist trainers and Country Focal Officers in research on key issues; assist and support Trainers and Country Focal Officers in delivering national level activities; and assist managers with performance development and appraisal.

3. Technical support – support senior team members in undertaking research and in developing policy level advice and knowledge on a range of human rights issues including disability rights, HIV, sexual and gender based violence and equality.

4. Project management, monitoring and evaluation – research and maintain up-to-date knowledge of country human rights issues; ensure effective implementation of projects and clear link to team plans; support project development and planning; ensure reports are of high quality and are completed in a timely manner; ensure monitoring and evaluation includes both qualitative and quantitative indicators; and jointly undertake performance appraisals of Country Focal Officers.

Key selection criteria – candidates will be assessed against the following nine key selection criteria.

1. Leadership – demonstrate ability to coordinate and motivate others and to develop collaborative activities and projects in a complex regional environment, with proven experience coordinating liaison with government and non-government agencies.
2. Results oriented problem solving – able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
3. Innovation and analytical skills – able to generate new ideas / opportunities; assist in the development of policy advice, based on sound analysis; and support original solutions.
4. Influencing skills – able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals, and demonstrate negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.
5. Relationship skills – demonstrate sound interpersonal skills necessary to deliver effective training and capacity building activities; and contribute to building productive team relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
6. Qualifications – possess a postgraduate degree in development studies, law, or social science, or equivalent years of relevant experience in social development; a qualification in training or adult education would be an advantage.
7. Technical expertise – demonstrate some experience in: provision of social policy advice focused on gender and human rights; delivery of effective capacity building activities to adults; project financial management; and working in a developing country setting - with an understanding of the development challenges facing the Pacific. An understanding of human rights organisations, law or programming would be an advantage.
8. Language skills – proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French or another Pacific language being an advantage.
9. Cultural awareness – cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, in particular Pacific Island countries and territories.

Remuneration – The Trainer is a Band 9 position within SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 1,896–2,844 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 5,300–8,000 (USD 2,900–4,400; € 2,300–3,500). 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 1 August 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the nine 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.