Communications and Visibility Officer – Safe Agricultural Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the Pacific (SAFE Pacific) Project

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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 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 Land Resources Division (LRD) provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes plant protection, conservation, plant genetic resources, animal health and production, agroforestry, biosecurity and trade facilitation, and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. This work has two objectives: improved food and nutritional security, and resilient communities. The division’s services are provided through seven technical/thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production and Extension; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees.

The Pacific Regional Integration Support (PRISE) Programme is a EUR 37m programme aimed to support greater economic integration among the small and scattered countries of the region, and between the Pacific Region and the global economy. The overall objective is to contribute to improving the economic and social benefits for 15 Pacific countries from the African, Caribbean, Pacific Group of States arising from stronger regional economic integration. SPC is taking the lead in implementing 2 key outputs with an allocation of EUR 12m: Output 1.2 Sanitary and Phytosanitary services are improved; and Output 2.3: Strengthened competitiveness of sustainable agricultural value-chains in the Pacific. PRISE Outputs 1.2 and 2.3 with the title ‘Safe Agricultural trade Facilitation through Economic integration in the Pacific’ (SAFE Pacific) project will be managed and implemented by SPC in all 15 Pacific Africa Caribbean and Pacific countries.

The Communications and Visibility Officer is responsible for the overall support and implementation of the communications strategic plan to increase the visibility of the SAFE Pacific project.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

  • Development, implementation, and monitoring of the Communications strategy
  • Project visibility
  • Event planning
  • Collaboration and communications support with other LRD staff

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

  • A degree qualification in journalism or communications

Knowledge and experience

  • At least 6 years of communications-related experience
  • Proven experience in designing communications materials for a range of audiences
  • Ability to translate text-heavy documents or information into user-friendly visual materials

Essential skills

  • Excellent computer skills across necessary applications including Adobe Creative Cloud applications
  • Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work with a wide range of individuals
  • Demonstrated photography skills, creative flair and an eye for detail
  • Advanced computer skills in applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel

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 – Until 31 December 2024

Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.

Remuneration – The Communications and Visibility Officer is a Band 8 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 1,994‒2,493 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,022–7,528 (USD 2,772–3,465; EUR 2,446–3,058). 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 international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life insurance are available for eligible employees only. 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 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 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 – 21 October 2021 – 11:45pm Fiji time

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
  • contact details for three professional referees
  • a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
  • responses to all screening questions

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. These documents may be requested at a later stage.

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. The Pacific Community does not support dual spouse employment.

Please ensure that you respond to all the screening questions. If you do not respond to the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening Questions:

  1. Give one example of how you have previously used communications to drive positive change, ideally toward a development outcome. Please describe the impact this had.
  2. More development organisations now use creative and participatory ways to convey their messages to effectively engage stakeholders. List 3 ways you would communicate to meaningfully engage Land Resources Division stakeholders and the tools and skills you would bring to accomplish this?
  3. Often scientific and technical concepts and project results are communicated in ways that cannot be easily accessible for the general reader. Describe your approach to working with technical specialists to develop materials and products that are easy to read, influential and impactful?
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