Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment), Oceanic Fisheries Programme

SPC invites applications for the position of Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment) within its Oceanic Fisheries Programme located at its headquarters in 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, quality and standards for all school levels), statistics, transport, energy, ICT, media, human rights, gender, youth and culture. For more information, visit 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.

Fisheries Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division - has two core units, the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and the Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP's 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 programme provides information to national and regional authorities on the status of stocks targeted or otherwise impacted by oceanic fisheries; it collects and analyses comprehensive scientific data on fisheries targeting the region's resources of tuna and other oceanic species; and it aims to improve understanding of pelagic ecosystems of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.  OFP comprises four sections responsible for stock assessment, data management, fisheries monitoring and ecosystem analysis. The programme currently has 29 internationally recruited and 25 locally recruited staff and an annual budget of over USD 6 million. CFP 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.

The role – The Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment) is a newly funded position accountable to the Principal Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment and Modelling). The role is responsible for undertaking analyses to improve the stock assessments for tuna and tuna-like species under the management of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. The appointment is for three years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks a qualified and experienced fisheries scientist with expertise in stock assessment, research and development. Attributes will include skills in quantitative analysis, research and publication of technical and scientific reports and projects. He/she will be a collaborative team player, with the representational, interpersonal and communication skills required to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners in a regional context.

Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability, and potential to progress, in the following four key result areas of the position:

1. Research and development – Develop and refine methods for the analysis of catch and effort data. Contribute to other research into statistical stock assessment methodologies and appropriate model structures. Develop and refine methods for the analysis of conventional and electronic tagging data.

2. Stock Assessment – Undertake analyses of catch and effort, size, and tagging data for inputs for stock assessment modeling. Undertake stock assessments of tunas and tuna-like species using modern statistical stock assessment models. Contribute to Pacific-wide stock assessments in collaboration with the Inter American Tropical Tuna Commission.

3. Capacity building – Collaborate with scientists within SPC, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission membership and other relevant organisations. Provide assistance and deliver presentations to improve regional capacity.

4. Disseminate and communicate technical advice – Communicate and disseminate the results of technical analyses to scientists and fisheries managers. Contribute to the international body of fisheries knowledge through the development and delivery of publications and presentations.

5. Administration – Maintain up to date corporate and administrative procedures for all activities undertaken; contribute to SPC publications and reports; produce high-quality technical and trip reports; and assist in developing funding proposals and donor reports.

Key selection criteria – candidates will be assessed against eight key selection criteria:

1. Strategic thinker and planner – Able to think and act with a long term perspective - develop and implement plans and projects that deliver strategic and long term outcomes.
2. Results oriented problem solver – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
3. Influencing skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals, and demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.
4. Relationship skills – Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and representational skills; contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders, with experience participating in regional or international meetings being an advantage.
5. Qualifications – Postgraduate qualification in fisheries science, population biology, stock assessment modeling, natural resource management or a related discipline, preferably at PhD level.
6. Technical expertise – Able to demonstrate extensive practical experience and thorough knowledge of fisheries stock assessment principles and techniques, with quantitative fisheries science expertise providing scientific advice to fishery managers; strong quantitative analytical skills; and experience in data modelling and programming with advanced skills in either R, C++ or ADMB. Experience in international fisheries management including application of risk assessment methodologies and procedures for scientific input; and in the provision of scientific advice concerning tuna fisheries, particularly for developing countries, would be advantageous.
7. Language skills – Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
8. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

Remuneration – The Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment) is a Band 11 position within SPC’s 2013 salary scale, with a salary range of 3,681 –5,328 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 523,562–757,784 (USD 5,800–8,400; € 4,350–6,350). 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. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. 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).

Work environment – SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows. Smoking is not permitted in the work place. As an equal-opportunity employer, SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories.

Application procedure – The closing date for applications is Sunday 3 February 2013. 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.

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 SPC at recruit@spc.int or telephone + 687 26 20 00.

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 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, directors of its six technical divisions, a statistical programme, a strategic engagement and planning facility and a directorate of operations and management. The technical divisions include Applied Geoscience and Technology (SOPAC) Division, Economic Development Division, Education, Training and Human Development Division, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division, Land Resources Division and Public Health Division.