*The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of FEMA Systems and Data Manager within its Oceanic Fisheries Programme located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.*
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 unique organisation works across more than 25 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 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 – The FEMA Systems and Data Manager *–* will undertake a programme of work that supports the fisheries and ecosystem monitoring and analysis objectives in the FAME Business Plan. It will design the architecture of fisheries research databases and curate and maintain existing data management and information systems and tools.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
1. Enhance data collection and provide data management services for fisheries & marine ecosystems
· Data acquisition, management and dissemination, including processing, auditing and consolidating data holdings.
· Develop systems, tools and support services for standardised data collection, management and reporting.
2. Provide analyses and advice for evidence-based fisheries management
· Provide ecosystem, climate change, biodiversity, marine resource ecology and fisheries assessments, models and analyses.
3. Support capacity development in fisheries and aquaculture among PICTs
· Enhance capacity development in science, technology, data management, analysis and advice.
4. Provide, and facilitate access to, fisheries information
· Develop information and knowledge products.
· Facilitate information management and circulation.
· Strengthen MEL and communicate FAME results and activities.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
1. Qualifications
• Postgraduate degree, preferably at a Masters or higher level in Information Technology, or related area with focus on programming/development.
2. Technical expertise
• At least five-years demonstrated experience developing and maintaining large-scale relational database management systems using Microsoft Access and SQL Server, or similar programming environments, ideally fishery related.
• At least 2 years demonstrated experience developing web applications using Microsoft.Net, Angular/JS/C# or similar frameworks.
• Knowledge of fisheries and experience with fisheries database systems.
• Familiarity with the statistical analysis of fisheries data.
• Experience in the design and maintenance of graphical user interfaces.
• Experience with GIS software.
3. Language skills
• Good communication skills in English or French and a working knowledge of the other language.
4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
• A team player, with the ability to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment.
• Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated understanding of developing country environments.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.
Remuneration – The FEMA Systems and Data Manager is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2020 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,113–5,045 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 605,702–742,953 (USD 5,676-6,962; EUR 5,076–6,226). 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.
How to apply:
Application procedure
Closing date: 17 May 2020 – 11:00 pm Noumea time
Job Reference: AL000277
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 and experience relative to the key selection criteria, 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
Describe, using examples where possible, your experience using MS ACCESS, MS SQL SERVER, or similar relevant RDBMS.
Describe, using examples where possible, the challenges of migrating from old to contemporary data management systems.
Describe the rationale you would apply for determining priorities for system development and data management?