Deep Sea Minerals Environment Adviser in its Applied Geoscience and Technology Division located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji

SPC invites applications for the position of Deep Sea Minerals Environment Adviser in its 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 fisheries, agriculture, forestry, water resources, geoscience, transport, energy, disaster risk management, public health, statistics, education, 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.

The Applied Geoscience and Technology Division was established when the former Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) was integrated with SPC in January 2011. It 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.

The Ocean and Islands Programme offers a range of specialist technical capacities, skills and tools to support the needs and environments of Pacific Island countries and territories to improve decision-making and policy development regarding marine, coastal and island resource use and applied science issues. It delivers services through: (i) direct capacity supplementation; (ii) partnerships with Pacific Island governments and agencies; and (iii) multidisciplinary approaches to deliver end-to-end services or to fulfill a portion of a broader programme or project of work. Its technical work involves: collection of baseline, oceanographic, geophysical and geodetic data; geological and geomorphologic assessment; environmental baselines, i.e. marine ecosystem habitat mapping; modelling hydrodynamic processes; and sea level and shoreline monitoring. It also contributes substantially to data collection, support and technical assessment in the area of vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation.

The Deep Sea Minerals Project is a European Union funded project aimed at expanding the economic resource base of Pacific ACP States by facilitating the development of a viable and sustainable marine minerals industry.  The project will develop a regional framework for deep sea minerals; assist Pacific ACP States in developing national policy, legislation and regulations; collaborate with development partners to build national capacity; and support environmental management and monitoring initiatives for deep sea exploration and mining. For project information visit www.sopac.org/dsm

The role – The Deep Sea Minerals Environment Adviser is a newly created position accountable to the project team leader. The appointee is responsible for developing, planning and implementing work programmes in Pacific ACP States in order to improve their capacity to plan, manage and develop their ocean and island resources and environments. The appointment is for two years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks a specialist deep sea environmentalist, with research expertise in the environmental and ecological characteristics of deep sea minerals. Attributes will include strong research and analytical skills, sound project management and interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively present and publish research findings and work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse stakeholders.

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 technical advice – Conduct research and present assessments of Pacific ACP States’ marine environments and resources. Review national environment policy and laws to include deep sea mineral management and monitoring. Develop and disseminate research findings and science-based information products to all stakeholders. Provide high level advice, information and support to enable policy and decision-makers to make informed decisions.

2.  Project support – Assist the team leader in the preparation of work plans and budgets. Coordinate project activities and resources to ensure project outcomes are delivered on time and to budget. Provide accurate and timely progress reports.

3.  Capacity building – Develop, coordinate and deliver capacity-building training programmes to stakeholders, in consultation with implementing partners and relevant experts. The training will focus on marine and deep sea environments, on the potential and level of impact of deep sea mineral activities on marine ecosystems, on issues relating to national and international laws, and on mineral exploration and exploitation. Collaborate with the private sector, implementing partners and regulators to develop an integrated management approach to addressing the impacts of deep sea mineral activities. Facilitate national, regional and sub-regional workshops on deep sea mineral environment and related issues, and present deep sea minerals environment information at meetings, conferences and workshops. Develop conceptual models for the impacts of deep sea mining on the marine environment and resources, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Provide support to Pacific ACP States to develop technical and organisational skills in knowledge management and monitoring for the deep sea minerals environment.

4.  Develop and maintain collaborative professional relationships with clients and diverse stakeholders – Maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with staff across SPC. Maintain strong links with member countries and territories, project partners and funding agencies, and participate in collaborative arrangements across agencies.

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

1. Results-oriented problem solving – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
2. Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new ideas/opportunities, develop policy advice based on sound analysis, and support original solutions.
3. Influencing and relationship building skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals. Demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills and interpersonal skills. Contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with stakeholders.
4. Qualifications – Post-graduate degree in deep sea environment, ecology and/or related fields. A specialisation in the study of the ecology of deep seabed minerals would be an advantage.
5. Technical expertise – Substantial experience in marine scientific research and deep sea ecological studies. Sound analytical, report writing, organisational and project coordination skills. Familiarity with mineral exploitation and mining; track record working for government, research institutions, regional/international organisations; expertise in multi-stakeholder participatory approaches; and working in the Pacific region would be advantages.    
6. Language skills – Proficient in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
7. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

Remuneration – The Deep Sea Minerals Environment Adviser is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2013 salary scale, with a salary range of 2,666–3,998 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,308–10,960 (USD 4,100–6,100; EUR 3,200–4,700). 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. Progress in the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will, however, be subject to income tax.

Benefits – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170–2,625 per month. 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. Smoking is not permitted in the work place.

Equal opportunity – SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Islanders.

Application procedure – The closing date for applications is 1 May 2013. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses and telephone numbers, 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 it later. Can’t access the online recruitment system? Apply via email: recruit@spc.int; fax: + 687 26 38 18; or post to Sally Clark Herrmann, HR Adviser (Recruitment and Training), 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 – SPC was established in 1947 and employs over 570 staff. Its headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia, with other 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 the United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners are 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.

Languages: SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Organisational structure: SPC is led by the Director-General supported by the senior management team, which includes three Deputy Directors-General and the Director of the Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility. Also contributing to SPC’s executive management are the directors of the seven technical divisions (Applied Geoscience and Technology; Economic Development; Education, Training and Human Development; Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems; Land Resources; Public Health; and Statistics for Development); the directors of Finance, Human Resources and the North Pacific Regional Office and the coordinator of the Honiara country office.