New Caledonia (France): Communications Officer

Description

The Pacific Community 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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are renowned 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 includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). CFP’s goal is to ensure that inshore fisheries, nearshore fisheries and aquaculture in Pacific Island countries and territories are managed and developed sustainably. The programme 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 assist climate change adaptation.

The role–TheCommunications Officer will support the internal and external communication of FAME’s results and achievements, as well as enhancing the learning and visibility of the region-wide ‘New Song for Coastal Fisheries’ strategy. The role will work closely with FAME staff, the network of communications practitioners across SPC, FAME stakeholders (implementing partners, national fisheries offices, project beneficiaries, etc.) and donors.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1.Develop and implement improved and consistent communication approaches in FAME, including the communication of FAME’s results and achievements

· Review and regularly update the FAME Communications Plan.

· Develop consistent communications tools, strategies and materials for use across the Division of FAME.

· Utilise and repackage monitoring, evaluation and learning evidence information for communications purposes.

· Assist FAME Information section to revamp FAME websites.

· Manage FAME’s social media, web and communications presence.

· Assist in the development of appropriate measures to better track the communication of performance, results and learning for FAME.

2.Enhance communications capacity at both the individual staff level as well as the Division-wide

· Provide training and capacity development to FAME staff in communications.

· Provide advice to FAME in presenting and packaging its work, simplifying messages and communicating in creative and effective ways.

3. Coordinate and develop communication activities contributing to enhanced learning and visibility of A New Song for Coastal Fisheries strategy

· Develop communications activities associated with regional progress in achieving outcomes.

· Collaborate with member countries and territories to communicate results achieved at national and subnational levels.

· Collaborate with other partners (e.g. academic institutions, NGOs, CSOs, community groups) implementing activities under the New Song for Coastal Fisheries strategy to promote results, achievements and partnerships.

4.Increase FAME’s capacity to strengthen relationships with stakeholders, partners and donors; and, more proactively maintain and manage these relationships through enhanced communications

· Manage FAME’s day-to-day interactions with key communication partners to ensure adherence to internal and external partner communication and branding guidelines.

· Identify current strengths, challenges and opportunities to enhance stakeholder relationships through communications.

· Enhance communication with FAME’s stakeholders and partners.

· Assist FAME to maintain and/or identify new relationships to support resource mobilization.

· Liaise with the SPC corporate-level communications team and Head of Fundraising.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in communications, media, marketing or a related field.

2. Technical expertise

• At least 5 years’ experience in communications, including the design and implementation of communication strategies and activities for projects, programmes and organization.

• Experience creating and publishing content for the web and social media.

• Experience with networking, relationship building and partnership management across a wide range of stakeholders (e.g community representatives, government stakeholders and donors).

• Demonstrated understanding and experience in the aid and international development sector in the Pacific.

• Ability to train and mentor others in communications.

3. Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English (oral and written) with the capacity to engage scientific, government, public and community audiences.

• A good level of French will be considered as an advantage.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Good interpersonal skills and good at multitasking, working to deadlines under pressure.

• Ability to network and work effectively in a multicultural setting as well as working independently.

• Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated understanding of developing country environments.

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Required start date– as soon as possible.

Contract Duration– This position is budgeted for 18 months and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration– The Communications Officer is a Band 9 position in SPC’s 2019 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,073–3,745 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 439,012–535,014 (USD 4,364–5,318; EUR 3,679–4,483). 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).

Equal opportunity– SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit; in cases where two short-listed candidates are judged to be of equal rank by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

Child protection– SPC is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. SPC’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Police clearance– Successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate.

Languages– SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Application procedure

Closing date: 19 May 2019

Job Reference: SH000001

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 with contact details for three professional referees

· a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position

· responses to all screening questions

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

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

Screening questions

1. How comfortable are you with working with individuals with diverse backgrounds?

2. How did you handle a situation where you had to complete multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way in which all tasks would be complete?

3. How did you handle a situation where a colleague has failed to adequately communicate about an important matter to you? In what way would you change that situation?