Climate Change Communications and Information Officer
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.
Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility - is the strategic, analytical, corporate planning and standards monitoring and evaluation arm of the office of the Director-General. It employs over 20 staff based in Noumea, New Caledonia, and Suva, Fiji. It provides policy and planning support to all of SPC’s technical divisions and programmes; assists members with the design of national development strategies; prepares sectoral or thematic analyses to inform decision-making at national level; and coordinates the mainstreaming of SPC-wide initiatives in priority cross-cutting sectors such as climate change, gender and food security. The Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility has four key functions: (i) country and programme support; (ii) strategic positioning, regional cooperation and partnerships and resource mobilisation; (iii) policy analysis and development, research, coordination and mainstreaming; and (iv) corporate standards, organisational development and performance management.
The role – The Climate Change Communications and Information Officer is accountable to the Principal Climate Change Advisor and is responsible for effectively communicating SPC’s internal Climate Change Engagement Strategy and supporting Suva-based projects and related activities to its partners and diverse stakeholders. The appointment is for two years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability and the appointee will be located at SPC’s regional office in Suva, Fiji.
The profile – SPC seeks a dynamic, innovative communications specialist with strong relationship building skills and a keen interest in implementing and enhancing climate change communications strategies within SPC and across the Pacific region. Attributes will include excellent communication and presentation skills in English and the ability to think strategically and 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 three key result areas:
1. Climate change communications advice and support – Coordinate and implement the activities articulated in SPC’s Climate Change Communications Plan and regularly review, revise and evaluate performance against desired outcomes; work collaboratively with relevant staff in SPC to develop and produce climate change communications materials targeted at internal and external stakeholders; design, implement and evaluate a long term programme for the effective communication of SPC’s climate change initiatives; contribute to SPC reporting on climate change activities; develop the framework and content for the clear and effective website delivery of SPC’s key messages and activities with regard to climate change; and regularly monitor, develop and update SPC’s climate change website content.
2. Capacity building – coordinate the preparation of climate change information/training modules that convey key communications messages that staff can adapt to different audiences to build institutional capacity; work collaboratively to prepare climate change education materials, particularly targeted for use in schools; and provide advice on climate change communications issues and strategies, particularly with regard to target audiences and deliverables to donor partners; keep abreast of climate change activities implemented by relevant regional stakeholders to ensure SPC develops climate change messages and themes consistent with regional counterparts; and contribute to the content and delivery of climate change information to member countries and territories.
3. Develop and maintain relationships with clients and diverse stakeholders – Maintain strong collaborative working relationships with staff across SPC, member countries and territories, development partners and key stakeholder agencies; and participate in collaborative arrangements across agencies.
Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following seven criteria:
- 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.
- 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 – Degree or postgraduate qualification in communications, with a qualification in climate change or a related field being an advantage.
- Technical expertise – Demonstrate solid experience and expertise in communications; a comprehensive understanding of global communications, media relations and branding; exceptional writing and editing skills in English; attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects to meet deadlines; a track record in developing a wide variety of communications materials targeted to diverse audiences; skill in utilising web-based communications platforms and content management systems; and the ability to think strategically and work consultatively and collaboratively in a regional context. Photographic or video technology skills; experience developing communications materials relating to climate change issues; a track record in training or capacity building; and experience working in the Pacific region 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, particularly Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.
Remuneration – The Climate Change Communications and Information Officer is a Band 10 position within SPC’s 2013 salary scale, with a salary range of 2,221–3,331 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD6,200–9,300 (USD3,500–5,200; € 2,700–4,100). 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. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji. From 1 January 2013 Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will no longer be exempted from income tax.
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 Monday 7 January 2013. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the seven 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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