Participatory Extension Adviser

SPC invites applications for the position of Participatory Extension Adviser in its Land Resources Division, located at its North Pacific Regional Office in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.

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.

North Pacific Regional Office (NPRO) – NPRO was established in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, in 2006 to enable more effective provision of services to member countries and territories in Micronesia, and is the only SPC office to include staff from all seven technical divisions as well as from support services. The office has a multi-disciplinary team of 40 staff, with around half recruited internationally and half locally, and a combined annual budget of around USD 2.5 million. The office works closely with staff at SPC’s headquarters and Suva regional office and also manages project staff in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau.

The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes: plant protection; conservation; plant genetic resources; animal health and production; agro forestry; biosecurity and trade facilitation and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. This work has three objectives: improved food and nutritional security; integrated and sustainable agricultural and forestry resource management and development; and improved and increased trade in agriculture and forestry products. The division’s services are provided through seven technical / thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production; Genetic Resources; and Forest and Trees. It currently has around 90 staff.

The role – The new role of Participatory Extension Adviser is accountable to the Director of the Land Resources Division based in Suva, Fiji. The role is responsible for providing direction and support for all the Land Resource Division’s programmes operating in the North Pacific. The appointment is for three years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks an agriculture specialist with demonstrated experience in resource and project management and a track record in agriculture research and extension and community development. Attributes will include strong capacity-building and technical advisory skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse stakeholders.

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. Technical advice and support – Provide strategic sectoral advice and facilitate policy dialogue through the formation and functioning of divisional steering committees in the North Pacific to develop national planning frameworks, work plans and memoranda of understanding for the implementation of divisional activities in the region. Provide guidance, technical advice and training to national partners on participatory extension strategies to solve technical aspects of farmers’ problems.

2. Programme support – Coordinate the administrative and technical management of land resources projects in the North Pacific in collaboration with divisional specialists and national authorities in participatory extension and related issues. Manage an annual programme budget of around USD 60,000 and other projects in climate change and food security that may have budgets in excess of USD 500,000 per annum. Promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies and sustainable development in land resources management. Prepare reports and documentation on activities to assist national programmes in their reporting. Support national partners in accessing funds from donors and manage project funds within approved financial policies and procedures. Ensure that there is efficient and effective financial acquittals and reporting of divisional projects and activities.

3. Capacity building – Strengthen national capacity by leading training and support activities at farmer and community level. Design culturally appropriate extension materials and methodologies and the development of appropriate communications to support programmes and activities at national level. Conduct monitoring and evaluation in collaboration with divisional staff and facilitate independent evaluation and assessment.

4. Develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders – Maintain collaborative working relationships across SPC and strong links with member countries and territories and other relevant regional and international agencies and development partners, including various United States Department of Agriculture agencies and land grant colleges.

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

1. Project Management – Demonstrated ability to coordinate and motivate others, and mobilise and manage resources in a complex 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 – Post-graduate qualification in agricultural science or a related field. A post-graduate qualification in development studies would be an advantage.
6. Technical expertise – Demonstrated experience in resource and project management. A track record in agriculture research and extension, with expertise in community development/capacity building, participatory methodologies and gender sensitive approaches to agriculture development. Sound organisation and project coordination skills, with proven ability to deliver projects on time and within budget. A track record of providing high level advice to diverse stakeholders and the ability to travel within the region. Experience working in the Pacific region or managing Pacific land resources projects would be an advantage.
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 countries, in particular Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

Remuneration  – The Participatory Extension Adviser is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2013 salary scale, with a salary range of 3,362–4,910 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately USD 5,149–7,520 (EUR 3,900–5,700). 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.  SPC salaries are not subject to income tax in Federated States of Micronesia at the present time.

Benefits – SPC provides a housing allowance of up to USD 1,500 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 24 July 2013.  Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the 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.