Fisheries Development Adviser Location: 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, standards and assessment), statistics, transport, energy, ICT, media, human rights, gender, youth and culture. SPC was established in 1947 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.
Fisheries Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division - has two core units, the Coastal Fisheries Programme and the Oceanic Fisheries Programme. The Coastal Fisheries Programme 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. It supports the sustainable development of the region’s fisheries at the artisanal and small-and-medium-scale commercial levels through the provision of assessment, development and management advice, technical assistance, and vocational and scientific training at national and regional levels, as well as the dissemination of relevant information. The Oceanic Fisheries Programme 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 role – The Fisheries Development Adviser is accountable to the Manager of the Coastal Fisheries Programme. The role is responsible for leading and managing the Nearshore Fisheries Development Section, comprising a team of four Fisheries Development Officers. The appointee is responsible for coordinating and delivering technical services and training to member countries to promote sustainable fisheries development in four key areas: (i) fishing technology; (ii) post-harvest handling and export facilitation; (iii) economic and financial analysis; and (iv) support for producer organisations. The appointment is for three years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
The profile – SPC seeks a fisheries specialist with a demonstrated track record in delivering results in fisheries development. He/she will be a collaborative manager and team player, with expertise in the design and delivery of fisheries training and a sound knowledge of current regional fisheries issues, preferably in the Pacific region. Attributes will include excellent representational, interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse regional 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:
- Leadership in fisheries development – Assist member countries in planning, implementing and evaluating sustainable fisheries development initiatives in small scale tuna fishing, exploratory fishing and tourism-based sport fishing; undertake training needs assessments; oversee economic analysis of development options; and provide support to strengthen fishing associations. Supervise the delivery of support in regard to seafood safety, quality and export facilitation. Oversee assistance to national export certification authorities dealing with fisheries products; deliver training in fish handling and preservation; and provide technical advice regarding the utilisation of fish waste and by-catch.
- Capacity building – Oversee technical training relevant to fisheries development activities, including safety at sea; coordinate the development, production and distribution of resource materials; manage study tours and donor-funded training initiatives.
- Develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders – Maintain collaborative working relationships across SPC and strong links with member countries and territories, relevant regional and international fisheries organisations, and technical and donor partners.
- Resource management – Lead and manage the team to ensure that its activities, planning, resourcing and reporting meet the needs of SPC members and other clients.
Key selection criteria – candidates will be assessed against the following eight key selection criteria:
- Resource Manager – Demonstrate ability to manage and motivate staff and coordinate collaborative activities in a complex regional environment.
- Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new ideas, 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 across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
- Qualification – Degree in fisheries, marine biology or related field; a maritime qualification or fishing skipper or fishing master’s qualification being an advantage.
- Technical expertise – Experience in staff and budget management; a track record in delivering results in fisheries development; strong technical skills in safety at sea, fishing technology and fish handling; strong communication and presentation skills; expertise in the design and delivery of fisheries training; and a sound knowledge of current fisheries issues, preferably in the Pacific region.
- 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, in particular Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.
Remuneration – The Fisheries Development Adviser is a Band 12 position within SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 4,071 –5,904 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 550,872–799,022 (USD 6,000–8,700; € 4,600–6,700). 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. 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 29 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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