Deep Sea Minerals Environment Adviser

Deep Sea Minerals Environment Adviser

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.

(If you have previously applied for this role as per Recruitment Notice 13/21, you need not reapply as your application will remain under active consideration in the new process.)

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 deep sea biologist / ecologist / oceanographer, with research expertise in the biological, ecological and oceanographic characteristics of deep sea mineral deposits and their surroundings. 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 five key result areas of the position:

1. Capacity building – Develop, coordinate and deliver training programmes to stakeholders, in consultation with implementing partners and relevant experts. Prepare training materials and facilitate national, regional and subregional workshops on environmental issues relating to deep sea mineral (DSM) activities. Organise marine and deep sea environment experts as trainers and advisers on specific DSM topics. When opportunities arise, organise shipboard training for selected individuals from Pacific members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) to participate in environmental surveys and monitoring, and participate in DSM-related research and monitoring and provide guidance and assistance to trainees. Share DSM environmental information in meetings, workshops and conferences. Consult and collaborate with fisheries stakeholders in the region to ascertain potential impacts of DSM activities on fishery resources. Organise and coordinate training on preliminary environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment (EIA) and monitoring. Develop conceptual models of the impacts of deep sea mining on the marine environment and resources in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

2. Technical advice – Provide technical advice regarding: marine environments and deep sea oceanography, biology and ecology based on scientific knowledge and findings; DSM activities (exploration and exploitation) based on relevant national legislation i.e. the Environment Act, Mining Act, Seabed Minerals Act; relevant provisions of regional andinternational conventions, i.e. Noumea Convention, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); preliminary environmental assessment and EIA processes; environmental issues relating to marine minerals, particularly the likely environmental impacts of DSM activities; and global ocean environmental conservation initiatives. Develop robust conservation options for SPC members.

3. Stakeholder awareness – Review reports and documents and prepare relevant awareness materials describing the latest state of knowledge of the marine environment and resources. Prepare information brochures and factsheets on the marine environments and resources and the likely impacts of DSM exploration and exploitation. Use stakeholder networks to disseminate DSM awareness materials throughout the region. In collaboration with government and civil society representatives, initiate and coordinate awareness / information sharing programmes on deep sea environments and marine resources. Identify DSM environment knowledge gaps and develop appropriate measures to address them. Review national environment policy and law to include DSM management and monitoring.

4. Project support – Assist the Project Team Leader in developing and implementing project work plans and provide sound advice. Ensure proper coordination and timely delivery of project activities. Ensure proper and efficient utilisation of project resources and present project updates to stakeholders. Collaborate with the private sector, implementing partners, regulators and civil society organisations to enable an integrated management approach in addressing the impacts of DSM activities. Work with divisional staff to deliver integrated geoscience solutions and approaches in response to SPC member needs.

5. 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 biology, ecology and oceanography and/or closely related fields. A specialisation in the study of deep seabed biology, ecology and oceanography would be an advantage.
5. Technical expertise – Ocean-going experience onboard scientific research vessels, and prior involvement in deep sea research expeditions. 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 3,800–5,800; EUR 3,000–4,500). 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 18 August 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.