Hydrogeologist 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 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 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 role – Hydrogeologist will provide support for the development, and implementation of water and sanitation projects across the Pacific within the Water and Sanitation Unit, including – “Managing Coastal Aquifers Project (referred to as “MCA Project”), the Enhancing water-food security and climate resilience in volcanic island countries of the Pacific Project, and “Managing Water Scarcity through Strengthened Water Resources Management” Project (referred to as “Atoll Water Scarcity Project”).

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Technical advice and support under the theme of Water and Sanitation including projects under this portfolio of work.

• Provide high quality technical advice and support on water resource related technical and research needs at the regional, national and local levels.

Networking and Communications to promote water resource information, for improved assessment, development, management, protection and understanding across the region.

• Establish and develop effective communication and relationships within member countries, development partners, and SPC to promote water resource assessment, development, and management for the region.
• Ensure accurate, audience focused sensitive water resource information is accessible and available to a wide variety of relevant stakeholders.

Capacity Building of country and regional counterparts across all aspects of water and sanitation. Design and implementation of training programs in hydrogeology, geophysics, and other water resource assessment and analysis skills.

• Actively support and encourage the development of capacity building to strengthen the long-term capacity of country counterparts in water resource assessment, monitoring, development and management through on-the-job training and specially designed training.
• Actively develop capacity building across SPC and with counterparts including design and delivery of specific training in hydrogeology, geophysics, data analysis, GIS and water resource management, technical report writing and sanitation skills

Provision of high-quality technical, administrative, and financial reporting to ensure SPC standards are maintained.

• Provision of high-quality technical reports ensuring SPC standards are met for publication.

Support project implementation actions to ensure project outputs and activities are delivered within the required time frame to a high-quality standard in an efficient and effective manner.

• Project implementation actions and requirements are undertaken and completed with efficiency, and within SPC policy and procedures.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A Master of Science degree (MSc) with a specialisation in a relevant field such as hydrology, hydrogeology, groundwater modelling or water resources engineering (and/or equivalent work experience).

Knowledge and experience

• At least 7 years of experience in water resource assessment, monitoring, and development.
• Experienced in the application and analysis of hydrological data, and database management to develop information products.
• Experience in groundwater management.
• Experience working in an aid/development context and managing projects in remote locations.
• Knowledge of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, (GESI), and People Centred Approaches (PCA) in delivery of projects.

Essential skills

• Project management and organisational skills.
• Skills and experience in the use and application of a Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Advanced geophysics skills suitable for groundwater assessment.
• Ability to conduct the design and construction of sustainable water abstraction technologies suitable for remote locations.
• Advanced technical reporting skills.
• Advanced data analysis skills.
• Skills and toolkits associated with effective community consultation and outreach, including Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

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 Hydrogeologist is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,118–11,397 (USD 4,142–5,177; EUR 3,923–4,904). 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 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 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.