- Suva-based position (Fiji)
- Competitive expatriate package
- Join the principal development organisation in the Pacific region
Description
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:
- Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
- Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
- Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.
The Ocean Advocacy and Strategic Engagement Adviser will provide strategic engagement advice, event planning, partnership brokering, and advocacy support to the Pacific Maritime Boundaries program of work, helping to meet requirements from multiple donors and projects while also enabling achievement of high-level program goals.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
Strategic engagement advice
- Develop and lead an engagement strategy to drive increased commitment to finalise maritime boundaries and zones
- Provide culturally-relevant engagement with key influencers in maritime boundaries-related work
- Coordinate with project staff, the Pacific Maritime Boundaries Consortium of partners, and other key stakeholders to design and operationalise the strategy
Partnership coordination and knowledge management
- Broker partnerships with Member countries and key regional partners
- Organise and facilitate meetings for the Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Council and Pacific Maritime Boundaries Consortium
- Develop high-level briefs on ocean governance and programme-related topics for internal and external audiences
Event coordination
- Coordinate planning for key maritime boundaries events, including workshops, meetings, and milestone celebrations
- Develop concept notes, programmes and agendas
- Contribute to coordination of messaging around major cross-CROP events (e.g. UN Ocean Conference, UNFCCC COP, PIF Leaders Meeting, Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development)
Project reporting and proposal development
- Develop results reporting approaches to meet diverse donor requirements around project milestones
- Support development and dissemination of donor reports with TL Ocean Management and Literacy and/or Deputy Director Ocean and Maritime
- Draft performance stories and collating communications stats, contributing to annual results reporting processes
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- A tertiary degree qualification in public policy, diplomacy, international development, or Pacific Studies
Knowledge and experience
- At least 7 years of related experience, including in senior levels of Pacific Island governments and/or donor agencies, high commissions or embassies
- Proven experience in providing strategic advice on sensitive issues of national importance
Essential skills
- Experience drafting, implementing and monitoring workplans or strategies
- Ability to convey complex messages to different audiences
- Excellent writing skills with an eye for detail
- Excellent computer skills
- Experienced working in the Pacific
Language skills
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – Until 31 December 2025
Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.
Remuneration – The Ocean Advocacy and Strategic Engagement Adviser is a Band 10 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,512‒3,140 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,410–9,263 (USD 3,592–4,490; EUR 3,014–3,768). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within 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 be subject to income tax.
Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.
Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.
Application procedure
Closing Date: 12 January 2023 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: JM000372
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
- an updated resume
- contact details for three professional referees
- a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
- responses to all screening questions
Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.
SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.
Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):
- Name two recent ocean-related frameworks or events that have had an impact on the Pacific, and why they are significant.
- Describe a previous experience when you used communications tools for advocacy and high-level engagement. What was the outcome?
- Name a challenge you might encounter coordinating ocean management partnerships in the Pacific region, and how would you approach or mitigate it?
JD-OceanAdvocacyandStrategicEngagementAdviser.pdf
Type: Contract – International
Category: Geoscience – Energy and Maritime
Reference ID: JM000372
Date Posted: 08/12/2022
