New Caledonia (France): Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Coastal Fisheries Science and Management)

*The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Coastal Fisheries Science and Management) within its Coastal Fisheries Programme located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.*

Description

The Pacific Community is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly 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 – The Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Coastal Fisheries Science and Management) will assist CFP Fisheries Scientists and Managers with providing support and advice to governments, stakeholders and the private sector in planning and implementing coastal fisheries science and management activities, focusing on reef finfish and/or invertebrate resources and their supporting habitats. The position is part of the new EU-funded “Pacific EU Marine Partnership” (PEUMP) Programme that commenced in September 2018.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1.Assisting SPC member countries and territories to assess the status of their coastal living marine fisheries resources, including the social and demographic aspects of coastal and community fisheries, to better inform management

2.Providing practical assistance to SPC member countries and territories in the design of appropriate awareness-raising and educational information

3.Section administration and communication

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

Key selection criteria

1. Pacific Islands

• Only applicants from Pacific Island countries or territories are eligible to apply.

• Applicants must be employed in a Pacific Island fisheries or conservation / environment department or a recognised NGO working in the field of coastal fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country or territory.

2. Qualifications

• Recognized degree in a discipline relevant to reef fisheries assessment (finfish and/or invertebrates), coastal fisheries management or a related field.

• Applicants must have a current open-water SCUBA diving certificate, and be medically fit and able to dive in a range of environments.

3. Technical expertise

• At least two years’ direct relevant experience in Pacific Island coastal fisheries, particularly with applied field research for finfish and/or invertebrates.

• Demonstrated experience in undertaking surveys for finfish and/or invertebrates using a range of methodologies.

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

• Strong PC based computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) with knowledge of software programmes for data entry and analysis.

• Prior experience or involvement with socioeconomic survey work would be desirable.

4. Language skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

5. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Excellent interpersonal skills,

• 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

Requirements: Only applicants who are nationals and residents of Pacific Island countries or territories are eligible to apply. Applicants must be employed in or contracted by a Pacific Island fisheries or conservation / environment agency, or a recognized NGO working in the field of oceanic fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country or territory.

Letter of endorsement –A signed letter from the employer, stating they agree to release the applicant for the attachment and that the position will be held for the applicant to return to at the end of the attachment with SPC must be provided before an appointment can be finalized.

Required start date – The position is to be filled from mid to late January 2019 and appointment is not renewable beyond 12 months.

Remuneration – The Pacific Islander Fisheries Professional (Coastal Fisheries Science and Management) is a Band 8 position in SPC’s 2019 salary scale, with a salary of SDR (special drawing rights) 2,790 per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 398,603 (USD 3,962; EUR 3,340). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits– SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea, an establishment and relocation grant, return airfare, and will cover the cost of up to 36 kilograms of cargo or unaccompanied baggage. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; medical and life insurance; and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

We encourage all eligible candidates to apply but please note that, since this is a special short-term contract, the full list of benefits included in other international contract types are not available to this contract type. Appointees may bring their families, but all extra costs for travel, insurance, education, housing and other additional expense will be their own responsibility.

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

Equal opportunity– SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit.

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.

Application procedure

Closing date: 13^th of October 2019

Job Reference: AL000221

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 (below).

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

All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. All candidates MUST respond to the screening questions, otherwise the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at the shortlisting stage.

Screening questions

Briefly describe (in 400 words or less) your understanding of, and experience and demonstrated ability in:

1. Coastal fisheries science and management issues being faced in the Pacific.

2. Providing training in monitoring and data collection for coastal finfish and/or invertebrate resources for local staff.

3. Provide an example of when you were part of a team that was working exceptionally well. What do you think were the reasons for its success?

4. According to you, why are gender issues important in coastal fisheries science and management?