Director – Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division At Pacific Community

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 Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role – the Director – Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division will provide leadership and, management of SPCs Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) capability. The Director will ensure the delivery of high-quality services to member countries, the region and SPC. The role will be guided by the SPC FAME Business Plan and the SPC Strategic Plan in the context of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Across SPC Leadership

• Actively participate as a member of the SPC Senior Leadership Team and apply the team charter
• Make an effective contribution to SPC strategic plans, business plans and budgets
• Provide concise briefs on fisheries, aquaculture and marine ecosystems science, science policy and ocean issues to the DG and DDGs
• Effectively represent SPC and regional members at regional and international fora
• Encourage and facilitate better planning, evaluation, reflection and learning processes
• Initiate new approaches to improve results by improving organisational culture, systems, programmes and services

Vision, Leadership, Direction and Strategic management of SPC FAME

• Ensure SPC internal reporting requirements are met for the requirements of finance, audit and risk reporting
• Ensure the business plan provides a useful framework for work programmes and reporting
• Make sure SPC FAME is actively engaged in integrated programming work, with sectoral concerns addressed in cross‐cutting projects and SPC FAME integrating cross‐cutting issues into its work
• Ensure that funding for major projects are progressed and funding to maintain/increase budget is approved each year
• Project reporting is completed as required and project reviews and evaluations are favourable

People Management

• Assure that SPC FAME recruits and retains staff with an appropriate mix of expertise to implement its business plan
• Ensure corporate requirements are met individually and as a team including the performance planning and assessment cycle
• Manage staff performance and ensures consistency
• Conduct fair, consistent, timely performance planning and review meetings and encourage open communication to discuss performance
• Create an environment which encourages the resolution of performance issue
• Create a positive work environment, promote collaboration within the team and across functions and other divisions in the organisation
• Support the health, safety and well‐being of employees in the way they lead and manage and monitor the team

Strategic and Collaborative Relationships with Members, Donors, CROPS and Other Stakeholders

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with SPC member heads of fisheries, senior fisheries officials and senior officials in other related agencies
• Engage with and effectively communicate with regional fisheries Ministers in member governments and territories
• Maintain a good working relationship with key partners, in particular Australia and New Zealand, and key donors, including the USA and the EU
• Develop and maintain a good working relationship with FFA, SPREP, PIFS, USP and OPOC
• Develop and pursue Divisional, organisational and multi-agency funding proposals
• Develop and pursue the case for increased long-term funding for core programme activities
• Strengthen linkages with non-CROP agencies active in fisheries that can complement SPC strengths

SPC Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine Ecosystems Thought Leadership, Innovation and Outreach

• SPC FAME maintains, develops and evolves its reputation as the fisheries aquaculture and marine ecosystems centre of excellence for the Pacific Community
• Lead the scientific and technical direction of SPCs fisheries, aquaculture and marine ecosystems work
• Identify and pursue key emerging sectoral themes and translate into the day-to-day work of SPC FAME
• Identify, share and incorporate in regional agenda emerging sectoral issues with members
• Ensure that SPC FAME regularly and fluidly moves into evolving key regional public good areas, and, where appropriate transfers capability and capacity to members

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in fisheries science or an equivalent field covered by the SPC FAME mandate; or, alternatively, a postgraduate qualification in management/administration with an undergraduate qualification in fisheries, science or an equivalent field covered by SPC FAME or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 15 years of demonstrated increasingly senior management experience, including in personnel, project and financial management.
• At least 15 of experience in fisheries, with a minimum of 5 years in managing a government technical department or scientific agency.t o
• Highly developed leadership and planning skills, including demonstrated experience in change management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the subject matter areas of the division (Western Central Pacific oceanic fisheries, Pacific islands coastal fisheries and Pacific Islands aquaculture) with a good understanding of at least one of the others.
• Demonstrated knowledge of key regional and global frameworks and plans for and impacting on oceans and fisheries.
• Demonstrated experience with the raising of external funding (resource mobilisation).
• Demonstrated experience with the development of policy and the provision of policy advice.
• Demonstrated effective communication, networking and coordination skills to operate and represent effectively at local, national, regional and international levels.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Good knowledge of the socio-political situations in Pacific Island countries and territories.
• Cross-cultural skills and the ability to work with team members from different cultural backgrounds.

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 Director – Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division is a band 15 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 7,360-9,104 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 1,075,770-1,330,666 (USD 9,789-12,109; EUR 9,015-11,151). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides 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 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.