Country: New Caledonia (France)
Closing date: 22 May 2019
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). The goal of the OFP is to ensure fisheries that exploit the region’s resources of tuna, billfish and related species are managed for economic and ecological sustainability using the best available scientific information. In pursuing this goal, the OFP provides scientific support for the management of fisheries for tuna and associated species, with a strong focus on stock assessment and modelling, fisheries and ecosystem monitoring and analysis and data management. The OFP works closely with member countries and territories, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, the Forum Fisheries Agency, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement and other regional and sub-regional entities.
The role–TheDeputy Director – Oceanic Fisheries will provide leadership, management and technical oversight of the Oceanic Fisheries Programme through the three Section Heads and the Programme Finance and Administrator Officer to ensure the annual work plans for the programme are in line with the FAME Business Plan and SPC Strategic Plan, are fully implemented within budget, adhere to all SPC policies and procedures, and address the needs and priorities of the members. The position’s key role is to ensure that the OFP continues to provide the highest quality, independent scientific information and advice on the region’s oceanic fisheries to SPC members, the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency, and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. The Position is also responsible for resource mobilization and reporting to donors to ensure adequate funding is available for the Oceanic Fisheries Programme to operate successfully now and in the future. The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
1.Leadership, management, rand technical oversight of the Oceanic Fisheries Programme
• Coordinates with Section Heads, FAME MEL team and other direct reports, input from members and others for strategic planning, annual work plans and work plan reports for the OFP consistent with the FAME Business Plan.
• Leads OFP’s contribution across FAME and across SPC.
• Manages the overall financial resources of the OFP.
• Oversees the implementation of the SPC staff performance planning and management system in the OFP. • Participates and coordinates OFP inputs to joint country missions and strategies, including the costing of activities and the reporting back to countries.
2. Client relationships
• Maintains awareness with SPC member country needs in oceanic fisheries, and participates in or contributes to the development of national-level strategies and work plans.
• Leads discussions with FFA on planning of scientific support by OFP for the FFA work programme.
• Leads discussions with WCPFC on contracted scientific support in the areas of stock assessment, data management and special projects.
3.Resource mobilisation, budgeting and finances in general
• Coordinates the development of significant projects to help deliver outcomes in line with the FAME Business Plan.
• Assist the Division Director and/or take the lead in developing larger multi-agency funding proposals with an OFP component.
• Assists the Division Director plan Programme Funding allocations from the annual core, programme and project budgets for the Division and specifically to the OFP including cost recovery of staff time.
• Ensures adequate funding is available for the implementation of the OFP annual work plan.
• Ensures that financial and activity reporting is carried out according to agreements.
4. Scientific and technical contribution to the OFP
• Participates in one or more of the technical work areas of the Programme, according to skills and experience.
5. Communication of CFP work
• Oversees the communication of OFP work internally across SPC and externally to clients, the scientific community and the general public.
• Contributes and coordinates OFP inputs to Divisional and Corporate publications, such as the Fisheries Newsletter, SPC results reports, divisional reports for CRGA and Pacific Plan reports
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
1. Qualifications
• Advanced postgraduate degree, preferably at PhD level, in fisheries science or related discipline.
• Training in stock assessment and statistical analysis, fisheries biology and ecology, fisheries monitoring and/or data management.
2. Technical expertise
• At least 15 years of relevant experience in marine science, fisheries biology and oceanography.
• At least 10 years of experience in regional project or programme management, including team leadership and staff supervision.
• Detailed knowledge of pelagic fisheries, with emphasis on tuna.
• Detailed expert knowledge in one or more of the following: fisheries stock assessment; fisheries monitoring and data management; fisheries ecology and biology.
• Extensive experience in the provision of scientific advice in fisheries management.
• Experience in the leadership, planning and implementation of fisheries research projects, and the analysis and interpretation of the results therefrom.
• Proven history of successfully leading multidisciplinary teams of fisheries scientists, data base specialists, fishery monitors and support staff, and conducting large field research programmes.
• Excellent time and programme/project management skills including team leadership and staff supervision.
• Demonstrable financial management skills including resource mobilisation and the development of large and small funding proposals.
3. Language skills
• Communication skills in English of a high order, particularly in written and oral presentation of scientific results to diverse audiences.
• A good level of French will be considered as an advantage.
4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
• Good interpersonal skills and good at working to deadlines.
• A team player, with the ability to network and work effectively in a multicultural setting.
• 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– This position is to be filled as soon as possible.
Contract Duration– This position is budgeted for three years and is subject to renewal for three years depending on performance and funding.
Remuneration– The Deputy-Director Oceanic Fisheries is a Band 14 position in SPC’s 2019 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 6,014–7,421 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 859,157–1,060,195 (USD 8,540–10,538; EUR 7,200–8,884). 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.
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.
How to apply:
Application procedure
Closing date: 22nd May 2019
Job Reference: AL000180
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
Please briefly describe (500 words or less) your understanding of, and experience and demonstrated ability in:
The design and implementation of science-based research to provide advice for the management of fisheries.
Resource mobilization including the development of both small and large funding proposals, and establishing partnerships and collaborations for project design and implementation.
Project management of large multi-agency projects with a range of partners including undertaking and/or coordinating reporting and acquitting expenditure to donors using different formats.
Leadership and management of a large, multidisciplinary team, overseeing the development and implementation of annual work plans and budgets.