Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation Coordinator : Suva, Fiji
SPC invites applications for the position of Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation Coordinator in its 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, standards and assessment), statistics, transport, energy, ICT, media, human rights, gender, youth and culture. SPC was established as an international organisation in 1947 and its working languages are English and French. Additional information is available at: 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 will 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 division’s work is organized 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; Forestry and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees. It currently has around 90 staff of which 83% are technical staff and 42% are internationally recruited.
Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation Team – The team contributes to the objectives of the division through improving biosecurity and increasing trade in agricultural and forestry products with markets in developed countries such as Australia and New Zealand and also within the Pacific Island countries and territories. Its work programme has four key objectives: (i) strengthening national capacity to comply with international and other relevant standards, i.e. international sanitary and phytosanitary standards; (ii) strengthening national capacity to increase domestic and export trade; (iii) developing and promoting sustainable and viable post-harvest technologies; and (iv) providing information on plant and animal health status, supported by the Pacific Island Pest List Database and enhanced by the team’s participation in similar regional and international networks.
The role – The position is accountable to the Director, Land Resources Division. The role is responsible for leading and managing the Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation team. It provides technical and policy advice and support to Pacific Island countries and territories and leads collaborative activities to improve biosecurity in the region and to increase trade in agricultural and forestry products. The appointment is for three years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
The profile – SPC seeks a collaborative leader and manager with expertise in providing advice and support regarding national or international trade-related quarantine policies and procedures. He/She will have familiarity with biosecurity systems and practices in the Pacific region; strong analytical and policy skills; and a sound knowledge of how international biosecurity and regional trade agreements, conventions and protocols impact on biosecurity, biosafety, food quality and the environment. Attributes will include excellent communication and presentation skills in English and the ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse stakeholders.
Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress in the following four key result areas:
- Resource management – Lead and manage team activities, strategic planning and the development of work plans, budgets and reports; manage staff performance, development and planning to ensure the team’s work is integrated with divisional and corporate plans; provide support, information, briefings and assistance to the division in preparing project submissions, reports and monitoring and evaluation activities related to the coordination and implementation of biosecurity and trade facilitation activities in the Pacific region; and advocate for long-term donor funding support.
- Technical advice and support – Coordinate technical and policy advice, information and support to Pacific Island countries and territories on biosecurity and trade-related issues and activities across the region; and develop integrated approaches in collaboration with donors, governments and other relevant agencies.
- Capacity building – Develop communications and deliver presentations at national, regional and international meetings; and lead capacity building support and training activities across the region.
4. Develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders – Maintain collaborative working relationships across SPC and strong links with member countries and territories, universities and training institutions, development partners, and other relevant regional and international agencies; serve as the focal point regarding all matters relating to work and research in biosecurity and trade in the region; and ensure that processes of identifying country issues are participatory, involving all stakeholders.
Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following eight criteria:
- Resource management – Demonstrated ability to coordinate and motivate others and lead collaborative activities in a complex regional environment.
- Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new approaches; develop and support original solutions based on sound analysis.
- Results oriented problem solver – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
- 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.
- Qualifications – Postgraduate degree in science (agricultural, veterinary, biological or environmental) and a marketing qualification with a specialisation in biosecurity (quarantine) or a trade-related discipline.
- Technical expertise – Demonstrated management experience and expertise in providing advice and support regarding national or international trade-related quarantine policies and procedures; experience in project design, management and reporting; strong analytical and policy skills; familiarity with biosecurity systems and practices in the Pacific region; and a sound knowledge of how international biosecurity and regional trade agreements, conventions and protocols impact on biosecurity, biosafety, food quality and the environment. Experience in strategic planning, capacity building and preparing funding submissions would be advantages.
- Language skills – Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
- Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, with experience in Pacific Island countries and territories.
Remuneration – The Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation Coordinator is a Band 12 position in 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; € 3,500-5,200). 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. While SPC remuneration in Fiji is not subject to income tax 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 Thursday 8 November 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.
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.
BACKGROUND – 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 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.
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