Team Leader, Training, Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team

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, standards and assessment), 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.

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

The role – This newly created position is responsible for leading and managing all the training aspects of the RRRT programme. The role reports to and will work closely with the Programme Manager and Human Rights Adviser to support the strategic leadership and direction of the programme. The incumbent will manage an annual budget of around FJD 1 million and lead a training team of 8 staff, including 5 Senior Trainers, to develop and deliver high-quality training and capacity building activities in human rights and gender issues, which incorporate best practice methodology and technical standards. The appointment is for three years renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks an experienced training team leader, with a track record in training and capacity building in human rights and gender issues, and an understanding and knowledge of Pacific cultural values and development challenges. He/she will have strong training, advocacy, communication and relationship building skills, and the ability to drive the development and delivery of training and capacity building initiatives to support the work of the RRRT team and its regional partners and stakeholders.

Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress in the following five key result areas:

1. Lead and manage the RRRT training programme – Oversee the development, coordination, programming and implementation of the annual training programme that is delivered within SPC and to its members and key stakeholders; identify and maintain current knowledge of partner training needs; develop and monitor the training events calendar; review all training materials and training programme development to maintain consistent methodology and quality of training delivered and to ensure the achievement of training objectives and their effective reporting; research, develop and adapt human rights training materials to suit target audiences and country needs; deliver new or specialist internal and external training sessions; manage, mentor and support the training team in building their skills and technical capacity to achieve improved training outcomes across the region; provide regular staff assessment and performance feedback; and effectively manage budgets and available resources.

2. Technical training standards and quality assurance – Maintain current knowledge of best practice in human rights and gender training; ensure that training materials, approaches, methodology and content are technically accurate; work closely with the Human Rights Adviser and the Policy Research Officer to ensure that current information is presented and that the content of all training is technically and factually accurate and up to date; and mentor and support trainers, working closely with them to develop training sessions in detail prior to their delivery of training in new content areas or topics.

3. Capacity building – Develop capacity building and mentoring plans for training staff and country focal officers, and deliver regular training to strengthen internal technical skills and the implementation of a robust and consistent quality training methodology; and advocate and influence the development of regional capacity in relation to human rights and gender initiatives and outcomes.

4. Develop and maintain effective relationships with clients and diverse stakeholders – Maintain strong collaborative working relationships across SPC, with its member countries, partners and stakeholders to maximise the effective delivery, relevance and impact of RRRT training activities across the Pacific.

5. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting – Ensure that each trainer understands their role and responsibility in relation to monitoring and evaluation and related data collection and assessment; ensure that reports produced by trainers are accurate, use consistent methodology and reporting frameworks and are stored and utilised appropriately; evaluate training performance against identified objectives and project policies that are clearly linked to divisional and SPC strategic plans; work closely with the training team to ensure that donor and financial reports produced are accurate, timely and of high quality; and contribute to the ongoing design, development and implementation of an effective monitoring and evaluation system, using qualitative and quantitative indicators.

Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following eight criteria:

1. Leadership – Act as a role model to lead, inspire, motivate and develop the training team; make staff feel trusted and valued; develop and implement training plans that deliver strategic outcomes.
2. Resource management – Oversee the development and management of staff and budgets; anticipate and manage change and risks; ensure that value for investment is achieved.
3. Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new ideas/opportunities and develop technical and policy advice based on sound analysis; support original solutions.
4. Influencing and relationship building skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals; demonstrate strong, communication, advocacy and interpersonal skills; contribute to building productive team relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
5. Qualifications – Postgraduate or masters’ degree qualification in development studies, law, gender or social science OR a degree and significant relevant experience; plus a training qualification.
6. Technical expertise – Solid experience in training and managing trainers and training programmes; experience in developing and delivering training focused on gender and human rights; track record in project work in the development sector, with Pacific experience and an understanding of the current development challenges; expertise in planning, monitoring and evaluating training programmes; and excellent communication and written skills in English. An understanding of human rights law/programming, managing and monitoring multi-donor projects and gender mainstreaming will be advantages.
7. Language skills – Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French or another Pacific language being an advantage.
8. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of Pacific Island countries and territories, with work experience in the Pacific being an advantage.

Remuneration – The Team Leader, Training, is a Band 12 position within SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 2,939–4,409 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,000–12,000 (USD 4,500–6,700; € 3,600–5,400). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with 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. An establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants. 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).

Application procedure – The closing date for applications is Friday 28 September 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.

Appointment – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Staff appointments are based on merit, without restriction as to nationality. Preference is given to Pacific Islanders, given equal merit, qualifications and experience.

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 Sally in confidence, at sallyh@spc.int or telephone +687 26 01 40.

BACKGROUND – Established in 1947, SPC employs over 570 staff and is headquartered in Noumea, New Caledonia, with offices in Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. SPC has 26 member countries and territories including 22 Pacific Island countries and territories and its founding members Australia, France, New Zealand and United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners include the European Union, Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, United Nations agencies, Asian Development Bank, World Bank and Global Environment Facility, to name a few.

SPC’s working languages are English and French. SPC is led by the Director-General supported by two deputy directors-general and the directors of its technical divisions – Applied Geoscience and Technology; Economic Development; Education, Training and Human Development; Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems; Land Resources; and Public Health. SPC also has a statistical programme, a strategic engagement, policy and planning facility and an operations and management division.