Implementation Support Officer – Melanesia 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 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

  1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
  2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
  3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The Implementation Support Officer – Melanesia will provide country and sub-regional coordination support for the delivery of PHWP activities across Melanesia. The role acts as the primary liaison between PHWP, SPC’s Melanesia Sub-Regional Office, National Disaster Management Offices and other stakeholders, facilitating implementation of Country Implementation Plans and supporting programme delivery through coordination, procurement and contract support, logistics, governance engagement, reporting, communications and stakeholder engagement.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Coordinate and support the implementation of PHWP activities in the Melanesian countries of the PHWP

  • Coordinate implementation of activities across Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in accordance with the respective Country Implementation Plans.
  • Act as the primary in-country and sub-regional focal point for PHWP implementation, supporting engagement between government agencies, stakeholders, SPC technical teams and implementing partners.
  • Support implementation of programme priorities, ensuring alignment with Results Framework, Greening, GEDSI and Localisation commitments.
  • Facilitate the procurement of goods and services and support the engagement of consultants and contractors, including onboarding, logistical coordination, stakeholder liaison, and implementation support.
  • Support identification and coordination of capacity strengthening opportunities for NDMOs, National Governance Committee meetings and other key implementing partners.
  • Maintain implementation records and contribute information for programme reports, management briefs and decision-making processes.
  • Identify, escalate and monitor implementation risks and support development of mitigation actions.

Support financial planning, procurement, contract and grant administration, logistics and work planning

  • Support development of costed workplans, budgets and Grant Agreements in a timely manner using templates provided (building capacity where needed), working with SPC finance, Grants and Procurement staff to accurately manage risks.
  • Guide and support program-level procurement planning processes and meet SPC accountability requirements.
  • Support technical staff coordinate and manage nationally implemented initiatives for program-funded services, supplies and equipment in the countries.

Support implementation of PHWP infrastructure, supplies and systems activities, including related government engagement and capacity strengthening initiatives

  • Work with the PHWP Infrastructure Specialist Unit (ISU) technical staff and in-country focal points to ensure appropriate support in communications, engagement and visibility activities for the program are undertaken in countries. To also monitor delivery timelines for construction and preparatory technical assessments including the program’s Communications, Engagement and Strategy, MERL Strategy, GEDSI Strategy, Localisation and Greening Strategies.
  • Support implementation of warehouse management systems and related capacity strengthening initiatives in participating countries.
  • Support consultation with countries to prioritise supplies list including delivery in collaboration with national stakeholders and technical specialists.
  • Establish and maintain effective communications with Governments and key national stakeholders supporting implementation

Supporting program coordination, management, communications, reporting and DWRP implementation in the countries

  • Provide timely inputs from Country Implementation Plans into programme workplans, financial reports, narrative reports, donor reports and management briefings.
  • Update vendor registration and asset registers.
  • Work with program administration staff to ensure all program records created for sub- regional activities where relevant are saved in the shared records management system and accessible to other team members, including for MERL and audit purposes.
  • Contribute to creating a positive team environment and work with technical staff to deliver activities in the Country Implementation Plan.
  • Provide inputs to monthly/annual reports and visibility stories.
  • Support DWRP implementation in countries where appropriate.
  • Country engagements, missions and implementation risks are communicated and coordinated effectively between PHWP and the Melanesia Regional Office.
  • Programme implementation contributes to coherent OneSPC engagement and supports positive relationships with government and development partners.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution (or equivalent work experience) in a discipline relevant to program management, international development, infrastructure development, climate resilience or disaster risk management or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

  • At least 7-8 years in program coordination/management position in the Pacific region.
  • Strong understanding and experience in program management, including with: program-cycles; financial forecasting and reporting; grant and contract management; MERL; and risk management
  • Knowledge of procurement and financial management systems, and implementing programs across multiple government agencies in the Pacific.
  • Experience with facilitating multi-stakeholder participatory, consultative, gender and social inclusion approaches to development, and mitigating adverse environmental impacts
  • Experience with infrastructure delivery processes, including permitting, contractor engagement and stakeholder coordination.
  • Demonstrable experience in working in culturally and disciplinary diverse and dispersed teams and local communities in the Pacific.

Language skills

  • Good communication skills in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

  • Knowledge of the Pacific Island countries and understanding context in the Melanesian countries.

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 Implementation Support Officer – Melanesia is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,870–3,540 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately USD 3,846– 4,743. 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. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in Vanuatu.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Port Vila– SPC provides a housing allowance of USD 1,000–2,000. 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 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: 15 November 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: KK000135

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):

  1. The role requires engagement with Governments, contractors and humanitarian partners. Can you provide an example where you have coordinated with several partners on technical projects and your role in influencing technical decision making? What was the outcome?
  2. Can you name three challenges you have experienced in coordinating implementation of projects at the national level, in the Pacific Islands, how these challenges can be addressed? If you could relay an example.
  3. Describe how you have supported project monitoring and reporting in the past. What tools or methods did you use to ensure timely and accurate reporting to project beneficiaries, management and donors?