Adviser – Human Rights and Social Development At Pacific Community

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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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Human Rights and Social Development Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.

In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:

  • Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
  • Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
  • Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
  • Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
  • Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.

The role – Adviser – Human Rights and Social Development will provide technical advice, assistance and capacity building under the HRSD work programme. As the role requires working across the objectives of the HRSD work programme, the Adviser will have a matrix reporting relationship with other Team Leaders in this regard.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Provide technical assistance and support on human rights and GESI

  • Support governments and civil society organisations in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) to implement and deliver on human rights and GESI commitments, including through human rights mechanisms.
  • Support governments and civil society organisations in PICTs to implement and deliver on climate change and human rights priorities, with a particular focus on implementing and progressing the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (ICJAO) on Climate Change and Human Rights.
  • Support Pacific Island Countries in the establishment and strengthening of their National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
  • Conduct research, legal and policy analysis on key and emerging regional human rights, gender and social inclusion issues in line with PICTs’ priorities.

Human rights and GESI capacities and skills development

  • Identify needs for development of capacities and skills for PICTs and other stakeholders.
  • Develop and deliver capacity building on human rights and GESI through multiple modalities.
  • Develop and deliver capacity building material on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights.
  • Support capacity strengthening needs of PICTs to engage with human rights mechanisms.

Stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination

  • Support stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination to advance divisional objectives at national, regional and institutional levels.
  • Engage in working groups, task forces and other technical committees.
  • Represent SPC at national, regional and international forums as delegated by the Director.

Project management and people management

  • Manage and report on the delivery of projects, programmes and activities.
  • Collaborate with in country staff to develop implement, monitor and report against project, programmes and activities work plans and budgets.
  • Manage the leave approvals, management plans and performance appraisals of Country Focal Officers (CFOs) as required.
  • Collaborate with CFOs and in country focal points to develop, implement, monitor and report against CFOs’ work plans and budgets.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

  • A postgraduate qualification in development, human rights, law, gender, international relations or other relevant social science from a recognised university or equivalent work experience or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

  • At least 7 years of development experience in human rights, gender equality and social inclusion, and/or youth development, including at least 5 years of experience working in the Pacific.
  • Proven track record in quality programming, including developing, delivering and reporting against work plans.
  • Experience in developing capacity building resources and delivering sessions to diverse government and non-government audiences.
  • Practical experience and understanding of the nexus between climate change, the environment and human rights, including relevant Pacific and international convenings.

Language skills

  • Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

  • Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Adviser – Human Rights and Social Development is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,245‒4,057 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,028–12,535 (USD 4,349–5,436; EUR 3,924–4,905). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. 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.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% 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 bilingualism, 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

How to apply

Application procedure

Closing Date: 30 November 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM001010

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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):

  1. What opportunities does the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (ICJAO) on Climate Change and Human Rights provide Pacific Island countries?
  2. What are the Paris Principles and why are they important for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs)?
  3. What can State parties do to improve the challenges of implementation and reporting on Human Rights Conventions?