New Caledonia (France): Senior Coastal Fisheries Scientist

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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division is located at SPC’s head office in Noumea, New Caledonia, and comprises the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). The CFP assists governments and administrations to develop scientifically informed and socially achievable coastal fisheries management policies and systems (national and community-based). It provides a regional framework for sustainable aquaculture, including planning, research and development and trade for Pacific Island governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. It assists in developing sustainable nearshore fisheries in Pacific Island countries and territories to provide food security, sustain livelihoods, promote economic growth and support climate change adaptation.

The role– The Senior Coastal Fisheries Scientist will provide scientific and technical support and advice to governments, stakeholders and the private sector in planning and implementing general coastal fisheries science and management activities covering finfish, invertebrates and their supporting habitat. More specifically, the position will oversee the coastal fisheries science programme and be responsible for finfish assessment work. The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Design, oversee and participate in the assessment of coastal living marine resources and management systems to inform management, and provide training and capacity development in these areas

2. Assistance in developing management arrangements and the review of coastal fisheries legislation

3. Practical assistance to members in the design and distribution of appropriate awareness-raising and educational materials

4. Promote inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration in coastal fisheries science and management

5. Section administration, communication and staff supervision

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the job description provided.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline relevant to reef fisheries assessment (finfish and invertebrates)
• Current open water Scuba diving certificate and medically fit and able to dive in a range of environments

Technical expertise

• At least 8 years of direct relevant experience in both

• Pacific Islands fisheries, particularly applied field research for finfish and invertebrate resources that has led to management advice involving local collaborators; and

• conducting status assessments of finfish, including data collection, analysis and communication of results to inform management.

• Demonstrated experience in supervising staff and leading science programmes

• Proven experience in designing and implementing coastal fisheries science programmes and standardised monitoring protocols for finfish, invertebrates and their supporting habitat using a range of methodologies

• Demonstrated ability to develop and apply analytical methods to conduct status assessments of finfish and invertebrates including the use of databases and statistical software packages (including R)

• Demonstrated capability for collaborating and working in an integrated programme involving colleagues from several different countries and cultures

• Understanding of current Pacific Islands regional coastal fisheries management and science issues, and experience of working with gender issues relating to fisheries

Language skills

• Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with the capacity to engage scientific, government, public and community audiences.
• Excellent cross-culture communication and teamwork skills
• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to travel and undertake overseas assignments in Pacific Community member countries, sometimes under difficult physical conditions

Salary, terms and conditions

Required starting date– This position is available immediately.

Contract duration– 3 years, may be renewed depending on available funding and performance.

Remuneration– The Senior Coastal Fisheries Scientist is a Band 12 position in SPC’s 2017 salary scale, with a starting salary range 4,498–5,526 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 674,067–828,146 (USD 6,252–7,681; EUR 5,687–6,987). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in NEW CALEDONIA– SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance, and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual 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.

As an equal-opportunity employer, SPC recruits on merit; however if two interviewed candidates are ranked equally by the selection committee, preference will be given to nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories.

Application procedure

Please use SPC’s online recruitment system to lodge your application: 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
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

All international positions at SPC have specific screening questions. Please ensure that you respond to all the screening questions. If you do not respond to the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at the shortlisting stage.