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 role – the Crisis Management Advisor will strengthen SPC’s organisational preparedness, response capability and learning in relation to crises and disruptive events and is prepared for a variety of crisis situations. These can include disasters, pandemics, and civil or political unrest. The role leads the development and implementation of SPC’s crisis management and coordinates preparedness and response activities across SPC offices including contributing to organisational business continuity efforts and transformation programmes.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Lead the design and implementation of SPC Crisis Management framework and operations to ensure organisational resilience during disruptions
- Coordinate the development, maintenance, testing, and continuous improvement of SPC’s organisation‑wide crisis management framework, ensuring alignment with the Risk Management Framework, security arrangements, and business continuity planning
- Establish and maintain clear crisis escalation pathways, roles, decision authorities, and communication protocols consistent with SPC’s risk governance arrangements
- Coordinate and support Crisis Management Teams (CMTs) through preparedness tools, rosters, playbooks, and guidance, acting as an advisor and coordinator rather than the executive lead during crises
- Provide strategic and technical advice on security and crisis events with appropriate mitigation measures and response planning through live monitoring and reporting
Support the organisational efforts towards BCP’s and implementation in relation to crisis management
- Support the organisational functions to develop, update, and test Business Continuity Plan/s (BCPs), ensuring a consistent and risk‑informed approach across SPC
- Support the coordination of business continuity readiness activities and exercises, tracking maturity, coverage, and follow‑up actions across the organisation
- Ensure business continuity arrangements are informed by organisational and divisional risk assessments, without assuming executive ownership of BCPs
Crisis Management framework and operational delivery in alignment and reported against organisational wide risk governance, integration and reporting requirements and protocols
- Contribute crisis‑related risk insights, emerging issues, and incident learnings to SPC’s organisational risk processes, including inputs to the organisations Risk Register where relevant
- Provide crisis management and preparedness updates to risk governance forums (e.g. SROC – Strategic Risk Oversight Committee, CRGA) as required, supporting effective oversight and decision‑making
- Ensure crisis management practices align with agreed risk appetite, escalation thresholds, and reporting expectations
- Support to ongoing relationships with embassies, consulates, government agencies, and NGOs and partners for coordinated crisis response where appropriate
Provide for Learning and Continuous Improvement
- Coordinate after action reviews following crises or significant disruptions, ensuring lessons learned are documented, tracked, and actioned
- Embed learning into crisis management, business continuity, and risk management practices, and support organisational learning across divisions
Strengthened Capability Building, Advisory Support
- Design and coordinate crisis management and business continuity training, simulations, and exercises in collaboration with HR, security, and risk functions
- Advise managers, directors, and risk champions on crisis preparedness and risk-based decision making in high uncertainty contexts
- Promote a consistent organisational narrative on crisis readiness, proportionality, and stewardship, aligned with SPC values
- Provide crisis management leadership and operational coherence
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Postgraduate degree in Emergency Management, Security/Risk Management, or a related field, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience
Technical expertise
- At least 10 years of professional demonstrated experience, including 5 years at a senior advisory or coordination level in emergency management, or organisational resilience
- Demonstrated experience in crisis management, security, business continuity, and/or enterprise risk management in complex or multi country organisations
- Strong understanding of governance, escalation, and accountability in high risk or crisis environments
- Experience supporting (rather than owning) executive level decision making during incidents or crises
- Proven experience conducting risk assessments, business impact analyses, scenario planning or organisational readiness reviews
- Proven track record in multi-stakeholder engagement, including government agencies, international organisations, and NGOs
Language skills
- Fluency in English and French
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 Crisis Management Advisor is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale.
For a Noumea based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,397-5,400 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 634,433-779,190 (USD 5,892-7,236; EUR 5,317-6,530). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.
For a Suva based position – 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). 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.
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.
Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea or Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance (or subsidised housing in Noumea). 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 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.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing date: 14 June 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: CR000588
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.
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):
- Please describe your experience coordinating or advising on crisis management, emergency response, or organisational resilience in a complex organisation preferably in the Pacific region.
- This role supports senior leadership during crises but does not hold executive decision-making authority. Please provide an example of how you have supported senior leaders during a high risk or crisis situation.
- Describe your experience developing, testing, or improving crisis preparedness, business continuity, or organisational readiness.