Description
The Pacific Community (SPC) 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 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 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 is composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecosystems Programme (MEP). The Director’s Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the programmes and cross-cutting projects. Working with all 22 PICTs, SPC FAME has strong partnerships with regional, sub-regional and national entities working in the marine sector. SPC FAME staff are based in New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tonga, with most of the 165 plus staff being based in New Caledonia.
The Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Coastal Fisheries Science) will support the Coastal Fisheries Science Team with providing advice to governments, stakeholders and the private sector in planning and implementing coastal fisheries science activities, focusing on coastal finfish and/or invertebrate resources and their supporting habitats.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Assist the CFAP Science team in providing support and training to PICT members to enhance science capacity and capability in coastal living resources data collection, entry, quality control, analysis, interpretation and reporting in support of sustainable management.
- Assists in the development of coastal fisheries survey (independent and dependent) training materials for countries through needs-based stakeholder consultations, taking into account gender, culture and human rights in the country or territory.
- Assists in the training of local staff in-country and/or online in all areas of data collection, data management, analysis and reporting for coastal fisheries and associated habitats.
- Ensure there are no gender or social inclusion barriers to training activities.
Contribute to the design and implementation of assessments of coastal living resources, the development and application of innovative tools and approaches for data collection, data management and reporting to inform coastal fisheries management.
- Participates in the design of surveys based on standardised methodologies and lessons learned.
- Assists in the promotion of the standardisation of data collection and assists with the expansion of standardised data collection and/or monitoring systems for coastal fisheries (finfish, invertebrates, habitat and catch and effort) and programmes at the national level
- Assists in the development and implementation of data systems, tools and approaches that will improve data collection and monitoring of coastal fisheries at the national and regional levels.
- Assists in the collection of biological samples to help inform coastal fisheries assessments.
- Support PICTs to analyse available scientific data on coastal finfish and invertebrate fisheries and associated habitats to provide updates on the status of coastal fishery resources.
Promote inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration with partners in coastal fisheries and aquaculture science in support of evidence-based management
- Liaises, encourages collaboration and works with national, regional and international organisations, research institutes and NGOs on coastal finfish and invertebrate fishery issues.
- Assists in collaboration with other sections/programmes/Divisions within SPC on issues such as food security, small-scale livelihoods, climate change adaptation, etc.
Contribute to Section administration and communication
- Maintains up to date corporate and administrative procedures including training data for all activities undertaken.
- Contributes where applicable to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications, such as Fisheries Newsletters, annual reports, Programme reports to RTMCFA and HoF.
- Contributes to peer-reviewed scientific publications that highlight results and/or developments of international interest.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Pacific Islands
- Only applicants from Pacific Island countries 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 fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country.
Qualifications
- A recognised degree in a discipline relevant to coastal fisheries science (finfish and/or invertebrates), or related field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
Technical expertise
- At least two years’ direct relevant experience in PICT coastal fisheries, particularly applied field research for coastal finfish and/or invertebrates
- Demonstrated experience in undertaking surveys for coastal 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
Language skills
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in a team as well as undertake unsupervised work, and communicate with people from various ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds
- Willingness to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.
Salary, terms and conditions
Requirements: Only applicants who are nationals and residents of Pacific Island countries 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 fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country.
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.
Contract duration – This appointment will last for a duration of 364 days and will not be renewable.
Remuneration – The Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Coastal Fisheries Science) is a Band 8 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a salary of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,038 per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 438,381 (USD 4,071; EUR 3,674). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.
Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea – SPC provides housing support in Noumea and an establishment grant, return airfare, and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. 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 10% contribution).
We encourage all eligible candidates to apply but please note that as this is a special short-term contract, the full list of benefits included in other international contract types are not available. Appointees may bring their families, but all extra costs for travel, insurance, education, housing and other additional expenses will be their own responsibility.
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. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing date: 15 November 2026 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time
Job Reference: KK000134
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
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.
Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):
- What do you see as the current and emerging coastal science issues, needs and priorities in support of Pacific Islands’ coastal fisheries sustainable management?
- What do you understand by ‘data limited fisheries’, and what innovative and appropriate assessment methods and tools might assist with addressing Pacific Islands’ coastal fisheries applied science needs?
- Describe how you would design and deliver training for fisheries where data, resources and technical capacity may be limited. How would you adapt your approach to overcome these constraints and ensure training is practical, needs-based and appropriate for Pacific Islands’?