Gis And Remote Sensing Specialist
1. The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of GIS and Remote Sensing (RS) Specialist in its Applied Geoscience and Technology (SOPAC) Division. The closing date for applications is 31 March 2012.
2. The attached statement sets out the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, experience and skills required for the position, as well as the terms and conditions of employment.
3 This is a three-year contract position based in Suva, Fiji, and is renewable subject to performance and continued funding availability.
Dr Jimmie Rodgers
Director-General
SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY
POSITION DESCRIPTION
GIS AND REMOTE SENSING SPECIALIST
BACKGROUND
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. SPC works in a wide range of sectors with the aim of achieving three development outcomes - sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and development, and sustainable human and social development.
SPC's headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and country offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Additional information on SPC, particularly regarding its work in specific sectors, can be found on its website: www.spc.int.
APPLIED GEOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SOPAC) DIVISION
Over almost 40 years, SOPAC has attained a reputation for excellence by placing an emphasis on applying scientific and technical knowledge to improving the livelihoods of Pacific people. Initially the focus was on mineral and hydrocarbon resource assessment in offshore areas. With over 90% of the region being ocean, the economic potential of these resources was, and remains, very large.
Today, despite the global economic crisis, there is a well-established renewed interest in seabed mineral resource assessment in many Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). A crucial part of SOPAC's work is to provide guidance to PICTs, not only on the scientific and technical aspects of these potential resources but also on establishing sound national policy and regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, in this context the surveying and subsequent legal work to complete the establishment and declaration of sovereign maritime boundaries for all PICTs is most urgent.
The contribution of SOPAC to the scientific and technical - particularly geoscientific and geotechnical - understanding of the underlying root causes of environmental vulnerability remains critical. As vulnerability increases, particularly with respect to climate change and other natural hazards, sound knowledge-based adaptation strategies are needed in the context of coastal and nearshore environments, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction. In the generally small communities throughout PICTs, awareness raising, capacity building (especially at the technical level) and capacity supplementation (particularly at the professional level) will remain important across all the SOPAC work programmes.
SPC's SOPAC Division is based at its Suva Regional Office, Fiji and has approximately 100 staff and an annual budget of around FJD 30 million (USD 15 million).
KEY RESULT AREAS
1.Manage funds through projects from outside and jobs in other SPC divisions by keeping contact with donors, private companies, and other regional organisations.
2.Ensure that GIS and remote sensing (RS) tools are utilised by PICTs and other regional organisations wherever they are beneficial in the context of the work. Maintain a picture of the status of RS and GIS applications in use in the SPC member countries and territories by developing and maintaining in-country contacts.
3.Develop new GIS and RS applications where they are beneficial by developing and maintaining contacts with companies, organisations such as the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) and research institutions in Europe and United States that develop new applications, new data and new systems.
4.Ensure capacity development through appropriate training (mainly guiding training on the job) for SOPAC member countries, within the GIS & RS section and other SPC divisions.
5.Ensure knowledge transfer through a website, newsletters, and an email distribution list, as well as by organising the Pacific Island GIS & RS User Conference and supporting GIS & RS user groups. Develop new forms of knowledge transfer.
6.Manage a group of 10-20 internal and external staff to oversee delivery of key projects and functions as follows:
(a) Provide RS data enhancement advice e.g. (i) RS data purchase, (ii) RS data pre-processing and image data enhancement, (iii) RS data archiving, (iv) RS data analysis/interpretation, (v) other image data service.
(b) Guide establishment and enhancement of GIS systems with a special focus on utilities.
(c) Guide training to enhance the utilisation of GIS, GPS and RS in SPC's member countries and territories.
(d) Observe and guide information dissemination networking between GIS & RS users of PICTs through appropriate vehicles.
(e) Adapt GIS & RS GPS methods utilised outside the Pacific to PICT conditions.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
1. Tertiary qualification in agriculture, forestry or environment, preferably with a postgraduate qualification in a relevant technical field.
2. Ten years experience in GIS and RS applications with strong managerial, technical and communication skills to guide others in GIS and RS.
3. Expert knowledge in cartographic science, data management applications, inventory design and statistics, and knowledge in graphic and publications design.
4. Solid experience and networks within Pacific Island member countries.
5. Sophisticated communication, presentation and represenational skills at regional and international levels.
Desirable
1. Broad networks in the field of GIS and RS.
2. Ability to work effectively in a bilingual organisation in a diverse multicultural team environment.
SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SALARY AND ALLOWANCES
The position is in Band 12 of SPC's salary scale.
Salaries for staff recruited internationally are set in SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and paid in the local currency (i.e. the Fiji dollar, FJD, in Fiji). As per SPC's 2012 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 2,939-4,409 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert to approximately FJD 8,258-12,388 per month (USD 4,900-7,300; EUR 3,400-5,000).
An offer of appointment for an initial contract will made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications.
The organisation subsidises housing. A housing allowance of 75 per cent of the total rental, up to a limit of FJD 2,625 per month, will be provided. The minimum housing allowance payable is FJD 1,170 per month.
In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of Fiji. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable.
While SPC emoluments are not subject to income tax in Fiji at the present time, this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji Islands. Any change in this status will apply to Fiji nationals.
PROVIDENT FUND
The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC's Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute eight per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution.
TENURE
The appointment is for a period of three years, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability.
DUTY STATION
Suva, Fiji.
LEAVE
Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. For expatriate staff members, home leave fares are payable after 18 months of service.
Sick leave is 30 working days per annum.
MEDICAL BENEFITS
SPC's Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctor fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits.
FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES
For an appointee recruited outside of Fiji, the cost of air fares by the most direct and/or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination.
COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows.
SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT
Smoking is not permitted in the work place.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit, but in cases where two short-listed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The closing date for applications is 31 March 2012.
Applicants are requested to use SPC's online recruitment system:
http://www.spc.int/job.html.
Only those applicants who cannot access the online recruitment system may send their documents to: Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia or submit them by fax (+ 687 26 38 18)
or email (spc@spc.int), preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format).
All other applicants must use the online recruiting system. Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address in their cover letter how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position.
They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.
2. The attached statement sets out the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, experience and skills required for the position, as well as the terms and conditions of employment.
3 This is a three-year contract position based in Suva, Fiji, and is renewable subject to performance and continued funding availability.
Dr Jimmie Rodgers
Director-General
SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY
POSITION DESCRIPTION
GIS AND REMOTE SENSING SPECIALIST
BACKGROUND
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. SPC works in a wide range of sectors with the aim of achieving three development outcomes - sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and development, and sustainable human and social development.
SPC's headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and country offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Additional information on SPC, particularly regarding its work in specific sectors, can be found on its website: www.spc.int.
APPLIED GEOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SOPAC) DIVISION
Over almost 40 years, SOPAC has attained a reputation for excellence by placing an emphasis on applying scientific and technical knowledge to improving the livelihoods of Pacific people. Initially the focus was on mineral and hydrocarbon resource assessment in offshore areas. With over 90% of the region being ocean, the economic potential of these resources was, and remains, very large.
Today, despite the global economic crisis, there is a well-established renewed interest in seabed mineral resource assessment in many Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). A crucial part of SOPAC's work is to provide guidance to PICTs, not only on the scientific and technical aspects of these potential resources but also on establishing sound national policy and regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, in this context the surveying and subsequent legal work to complete the establishment and declaration of sovereign maritime boundaries for all PICTs is most urgent.
The contribution of SOPAC to the scientific and technical - particularly geoscientific and geotechnical - understanding of the underlying root causes of environmental vulnerability remains critical. As vulnerability increases, particularly with respect to climate change and other natural hazards, sound knowledge-based adaptation strategies are needed in the context of coastal and nearshore environments, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction. In the generally small communities throughout PICTs, awareness raising, capacity building (especially at the technical level) and capacity supplementation (particularly at the professional level) will remain important across all the SOPAC work programmes.
SPC's SOPAC Division is based at its Suva Regional Office, Fiji and has approximately 100 staff and an annual budget of around FJD 30 million (USD 15 million).
KEY RESULT AREAS
1.Manage funds through projects from outside and jobs in other SPC divisions by keeping contact with donors, private companies, and other regional organisations.
2.Ensure that GIS and remote sensing (RS) tools are utilised by PICTs and other regional organisations wherever they are beneficial in the context of the work. Maintain a picture of the status of RS and GIS applications in use in the SPC member countries and territories by developing and maintaining in-country contacts.
3.Develop new GIS and RS applications where they are beneficial by developing and maintaining contacts with companies, organisations such as the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) and research institutions in Europe and United States that develop new applications, new data and new systems.
4.Ensure capacity development through appropriate training (mainly guiding training on the job) for SOPAC member countries, within the GIS & RS section and other SPC divisions.
5.Ensure knowledge transfer through a website, newsletters, and an email distribution list, as well as by organising the Pacific Island GIS & RS User Conference and supporting GIS & RS user groups. Develop new forms of knowledge transfer.
6.Manage a group of 10-20 internal and external staff to oversee delivery of key projects and functions as follows:
(a) Provide RS data enhancement advice e.g. (i) RS data purchase, (ii) RS data pre-processing and image data enhancement, (iii) RS data archiving, (iv) RS data analysis/interpretation, (v) other image data service.
(b) Guide establishment and enhancement of GIS systems with a special focus on utilities.
(c) Guide training to enhance the utilisation of GIS, GPS and RS in SPC's member countries and territories.
(d) Observe and guide information dissemination networking between GIS & RS users of PICTs through appropriate vehicles.
(e) Adapt GIS & RS GPS methods utilised outside the Pacific to PICT conditions.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
1. Tertiary qualification in agriculture, forestry or environment, preferably with a postgraduate qualification in a relevant technical field.
2. Ten years experience in GIS and RS applications with strong managerial, technical and communication skills to guide others in GIS and RS.
3. Expert knowledge in cartographic science, data management applications, inventory design and statistics, and knowledge in graphic and publications design.
4. Solid experience and networks within Pacific Island member countries.
5. Sophisticated communication, presentation and represenational skills at regional and international levels.
Desirable
1. Broad networks in the field of GIS and RS.
2. Ability to work effectively in a bilingual organisation in a diverse multicultural team environment.
SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SALARY AND ALLOWANCES
The position is in Band 12 of SPC's salary scale.
Salaries for staff recruited internationally are set in SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and paid in the local currency (i.e. the Fiji dollar, FJD, in Fiji). As per SPC's 2012 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 2,939-4,409 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert to approximately FJD 8,258-12,388 per month (USD 4,900-7,300; EUR 3,400-5,000).
An offer of appointment for an initial contract will made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications.
The organisation subsidises housing. A housing allowance of 75 per cent of the total rental, up to a limit of FJD 2,625 per month, will be provided. The minimum housing allowance payable is FJD 1,170 per month.
In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of Fiji. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable.
While SPC emoluments are not subject to income tax in Fiji at the present time, this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji Islands. Any change in this status will apply to Fiji nationals.
PROVIDENT FUND
The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC's Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute eight per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution.
TENURE
The appointment is for a period of three years, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability.
DUTY STATION
Suva, Fiji.
LEAVE
Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. For expatriate staff members, home leave fares are payable after 18 months of service.
Sick leave is 30 working days per annum.
MEDICAL BENEFITS
SPC's Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctor fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits.
FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES
For an appointee recruited outside of Fiji, the cost of air fares by the most direct and/or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination.
COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows.
SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT
Smoking is not permitted in the work place.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit, but in cases where two short-listed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The closing date for applications is 31 March 2012.
Applicants are requested to use SPC's online recruitment system:
http://www.spc.int/job.html.
Only those applicants who cannot access the online recruitment system may send their documents to: Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia or submit them by fax (+ 687 26 38 18)
or email (spc@spc.int), preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format).
All other applicants must use the online recruiting system. Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address in their cover letter how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position.
They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.
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