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 27 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 is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.
The role – the Inland Aquaculture Specialist will provide technical assistance, support and advice to governments, stakeholders, and private sector in planning and implementing inland aquaculture activities (also known as “land-based aquaculture” or “onshore aquaculture”) in the Pacific islands region.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Improve capacity for strategic policy, planning and administration to establish clear priorities and enable the aquaculture sector to meet current and future needs.
- Provides input to developing the regional strategy for the inland aquaculture sector.
- Provides inland aquaculture advice to strategic initiatives such as adaptive responses to climate change, aquatic biosecurity, and future food production requirements.
- Provides regional and technical advice upon which to develop policy and regulatory frameworks with a focus on inland aquaculture.
- Ensures participatory processes and stakeholder consultations using socially inclusive and culturally appropriate approaches in the formulation of inland aquaculture components of plans and policies.
Increase the skills and knowledge base in the SPC region so as to maximise the return on investment in aquaculture through innovative, profitable, sustainable, inclusive and biosecure approaches.
- Assists PICTs to assess the economic benefit of investments in inland aquaculture.
- Supports research and development projects to identify new commodities for farming and address industry bottlenecks.
- Assists in the uptake of new technology in the region and technology transfer between PICTs.
- Undertakes training with government and private sector operators in identified inland aquaculture activities.
- Provides input to developing and updating the regional aquatic biosecurity framework for the inland aquaculture sector.
- Keeps the region informed of advances in food production technology for inland aquaculture commodities.
- Builds capacity for application of the People Centred Approach in inland aquaculture, with four pillars: human rights, gender and social inclusion, Pacific culture and environment sustainability.
Promote inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration in aquaculture and aquatic biosecurity.
- Maintain links, and provide advice or supervisory support (as appropriate), in inland aquaculture to other CROP organisations and PICT educational or research organisations.
- Collaborate with other relevant agencies, external donors and international organisations, such as Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research ACIAR, Food and Agricultural Organisation FAO, World Organisation for Animal Health WOAH, etc.
- Participate in One SPC integrated programmes across other sections and divisions within SPC on issues, such as for the SPC Key Focus Areas of Resilience and Climate Action, Natural Resources and Biodiversity, Food Systems, Equity, Education and Social Development, Sustainable Economies and Livelihoods, and Planetary Health.
- Ensures that the cross-cutting SPC ‘people centred approach’ and appropriate climate resilience are incorporated into the Section’s work.
Section management, administration and communication.
- Assists the Adviser to develop the annual work plans and work plan reports for the Aquaculture Section.
- Maintains up to date corporate and administrative procedures for all activities undertaken.
- Contributes where applicable to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications, such as Fisheries Newsletters, annual reports, and Divisional reports for CRGA.
- Produces reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format including technical reports and trip reports, and input to funding proposals, donor reports.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a field relevant to inland aquaculture.
Technical expertise
- At least 8 years’ practical hands-on experience in the field of inland aquaculture.
- Experience in working with Pacific Island private sector and government systems.
- Experience in writing reports, reporting against project work plans and managing project expenditure.
- Demonstrated experience in working as part of a team or alone with minimal supervision.
- Willingness to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries.
- Experience working with PC computer systems and MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint software.
Language skills
- Excellent skills in cross-cultural communication (written and oral) and teamwork with people from different ethnic and educational backgrounds.
- Fluency in English
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration – the Inland Aquaculture Specialist is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale.
For a Suva based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,091-3,864 per month, which converts to approximately FJD 9,118–11,397 (USD 4,142–5,177; EUR 3,923–4,904). Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.
For a Port-Vila based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,643-4,506 per month, which converts to approximately USD 4,882–6,038 (EUR 4,625–5,720). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in Vanuatu.
An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews.
Benefits for international staff employees – SPC provides a housing allowance of USD 1,000–2,000 for a Port-Vila based position and USD 1,350 – 3,000 for Suva based position. 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.
Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
Application procedure
Closing date: 10 September 2023 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: CR000077
Applicants must apply online here
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
Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference.
Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.
Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):
- Describe your personal experience of, and your preferred approaches towards, training to increase the skills and knowledge of government, private-sector and community practitioners of inland aquaculture in the Pacific islands countries and territories. Describe your experience in leading or co-leading resource mobilisation effort in International Development.
- Explain, giving reasons, which species/commodities you think provide the best basis for successful inland aquaculture in the Pacific island countries and territories, and describe your experience of any that you have personally worked with.
- Briefly describe your personal experience in inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration in inland aquaculture?