Regional Officer, Climate and Oceans Support Program (COSPPac) Location: Suva, Fiji

SPC invites applications for the position of COSPPac Regional Officer, in the Ocean and Islands Programme of the Applied Geoscience and Technology  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. 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 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.

 

Applied Geoscience and Technology (SOPAC) Division – The division, which was established when the former SOPAC was integrated with SPC in January 2011, has three technical work programmes: Ocean and Islands, Water and Sanitation and Disaster Reduction. Its services to SPC’s members include assessments of the potential of ocean and onshore mineral resources, maritime boundary data collection, coastal protection and management, geo-hazard assessment, water, wastewater, sanitation, disaster risk management, mapping and surveying (including GIS and remote sensing) and natural resources economics. The division’s work provides guidance on scientific and technical aspects of the region’s seabed mineral resources; supports development of national policy and regulatory frameworks; and contributes to geoscientific and geotechnical understanding of the underlying causes of environmental vulnerability in the region. Its work also focuses on developing knowledge-based adaptation strategies for coastal and nearshore environments, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction and awareness raising, technical capacity building and capacity supplementation. The division seeks to maintain a reputation for excellence as the region’s principal provider of geoscientific services. It has a team of around 100 staff of which 38 are recruited internationally and 32 are technical staff.

 

Ocean and Islands Programme – The programme works across a broad range of marine, coastal and island resource use and applied science issues and offers a range of specialist technical capacities, skills and tools to support improved decision making and policy development, including in the deep sea minerals sector. These services are delivered through a range of mechanisms including capacity supplementation; partnerships with Pacific Island governments and agencies; and through multidisciplinary approaches to provide end-to-end services or a portion of a broader programme or project work. The programme’s technical role is directed towards the collection of baseline data such as bathymetric products, maritime boundaries data, oceanographic and geophysical data, geodetic data, geological and geomorphologic assessments, environmental baselines such as marine ecosystem habitat mapping, modelling hydrodynamic processes, and sea level and shoreline monitoring. It also contributes substantially to data collection, support and technical assessments in the area of vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation.

 

Climate and Oceans Support Programme (COSPPac) is an AusAID funded programme that incorporates the former South Pacific Sea Level and Climate Monitoring Project and is structured to deliver across three areas: (i) capacity development and communications; (ii) climate and ocean monitoring and prediction; and  (iii) Pacific sea level monitoring. This new programme, which is funded over four years with a budget of AUD 31.5 million, commenced in July 2012 with the aim of assisting Pacific Island governments and other stakeholders to better understand and use climate, ocean and sea level products for the benefit of island communities and governments. The division has had long involvement in the sea level monitoring component of this work through routine calibration and maintenance and non-routine repair of sea level monitoring facilities and through its relationships with implementing partners – the Bureau of Meteorology Australia, Geoscience Australia and regional counterparts in the governments of Pacific Island countries and territories.

 

The role – The position works closely with and is accountable to the Manager Oceans and Islands to manage and implement the COSPPac project work plan and annual operational budget of around FJD 800,000. The role coordinates the development and delivery of a range of strategic communications, advocacy initiatives related to sea level, oceanographic and climate data and products, reporting and logistic arrangements for 12 SEAFRAME sea level monitoring stations in the Pacific region. The appointee will work closely and collaboratively with implementing partners and Pacific Island counterparts and stakeholders across the 12 project countries to build regional understanding in support of adaptation to climate variability and change, and to contribute to sustainable livelihoods and vulnerability reduction. The appointment is for three years renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

 

The profile – SPC seeks a consultative team player with a proven track record in developing technical and scientific communication strategies and products. He/she will have a good understanding of Pacific Island countries and territories and a knowledge of the sea level and climate variability and change science issues affecting the region. Attributes will include excellent communication, advocacy and relationship building skills and the ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse regional and international organisations.

 

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:

 

1. Communication and advocacy – Implement agreed components of the programme communications strategy as set annually; develop and disseminate communications products; and organise meetings and events to increase understanding of climate prediction, sea level and ocean information among stakeholders.

 

2. Programme support – Provide regional logistical and programme support to programme staff regarding activities, meetings and events related to communications and outreach initiatives; coordinate and support ongoing sea level monitoring station logistics, connectivity and data collection; and compile budget and other reports of programme activities.

 

3.    Capacity building – Serve as the regional programme contact officer within the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) mechanism and other Pacific Island government and stakeholder agencies and interests; assist in identifying Pacific Island country and territory programme capacity building priorities; and develop partnerships with staff working across related regional projects, initiatives and activities to enhance shared capacity and common delivery and implementation of project objectives, i.e. Pacific Islands Global Ocean Observing System collaboration; Pacific Islands Climate Change Roundtable; regional research interests; and community initiatives in climate change.

 

4.    Develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders – Maintain strong collaborative working relationships across SPC; maintain strong links with member countries and territories and other relevant international agencies and development partners; participate in collaborative arrangements across agencies that undertake work and research in climate variability and adaptation; and actively participate in coordinating meetings and processes at national and regional levels.

 

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

 

1. Project management – Demonstrate ability to coordinate and motivate others and lead collaborative activities in a complex regional environment.
2. Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new approaches; develop and support original solutions based on sound analysis.
3. Results oriented problem solver – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
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 – Degree with a tertiary qualification in environmental science and/or strategic environmental communications.
6. Technical expertise – Demonstrated experience in developing technical and scientific communications strategies and products; excellent written and oral communication skills; a good understanding of Pacific Island countries and territories and a knowledge of the sea level and climate variability and change science issues affecting the region.
7. Language skills – Proficiency in English, written and oral, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
8. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, with experience in Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

 

Remuneration – The COSPPac Regional Officer is a Band 10 position in SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 2,133–3,200 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 5,993-8,991 (USD 3,300-5,000; € 2,600-4,000). 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 Friday 12 October 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.