Principal Advisor (Coastal Fisheries & Aquaculture Programme) 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 Principal Advisor (Coastal Fisheries & Aquaculture Programme) will provide strategic, technical, scientific, resource mobilisation and programme management advice and support to the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Lead, manage and guide the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme’s Science Section to support current and emerging science needs and priorities for evidence-based policies, management and sustainable development

• Manage the activities of the Science Section consistent with annual work plans and available funding.
• Develop in consultation with the Deputy Director FAME (CF&A) and other senior CFAP staff, the Section’s annual coastal fisheries science work plan and reports, consistent with the FAME Business and Implementation plans and available funding.
• Oversee, advise and support the Science Section’s work on developing methods and tools appropriate to the data-poor nature of PICT coastal fisheries.
• Implement the SPC staff performance planning and management system for the Section and facilitates their ongoing professional development.
• Oversee and support the further development of, and transitioning to, e-technology solutions for fisheries data collection and analysis into standard practices.
• Oversee, support and assist with the delivery of science training and transfer of tools and approaches to PICTs.
• Consult regularly with SPC member fisheries agencies regarding their coastal fisheries applied science needs and priorities.
• Consult and participate in relevant national, regional and international processes to develop e-monitoring and e-reporting operational and data standards for coastal fisheries.

Programme strategic, technical, scientific and management advice, guidance and support

• Assist with the identification and development of CFAP’s overall strategic direction and focus to support members’ coastal fisheries and aquaculture needs and priorities.
• Assist the Deputy Director FAME (CF&A) with strategic work planning to ensure that the CFAP meets the current and emerging priority needs of SPC PICT members.
• Work with the CFAP Management and Livelihoods Section and the Aquaculture Section to assess and advise on management / livelihoods / aquaculture-related applied science priority needs and support.
• Contribute to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications and reports.
• Ensure that the cross-cutting SPC ‘people centred approach’ and appropriate climate resilience are incorporated into the Section’s work.
• Review and advise on the prioritisation and focus of technical support, digital tools and approaches, training needs, and related support needs to enhance the effectiveness of CFAP’s support to PICT members.
• Review papers for publication in peer reviewed journals, book chapters or other resources, and support key CFAP staff to publish.

Contribute to the preparation of funding proposals and strategic plans to build the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme’s operational capacity and capability to meet the diverse and increasing SPC member requests and needs

• Assist the Deputy Director FAME (CF&A), in consultation with CFAP Section and Unit leads, conceptualise and develop, funding and/or cost-recovery proposals to ensure the strategic and priority work programme of CFAP is adequately resourced to meet PICT member priority needs.
• Assist the FAME Director, FAME Deputy Director (CF&A), and FAME/SPC resource mobilisation staff, with the conceptualisation and preparation of FAME-wide, and/or cross-Divisional proposals as required.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master degree in fisheries science, coastal fisheries science, or a related field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years’ relevant experience working on applied science related to fisheries, coastal finfish fisheries and/or invertebrate resources, preferably in the Pacific region.
• At least 10 years’ experience in designing and conducting finfish and/or invertebrate resource assessments, including data collection, analysis, reporting and applying the results to management and sustainable development.
• At least 8 years’ experience in managing science, fisheries and aquaculture staff, team leadership, programme development and project management.
• Demonstrated experience of collaboration between institutions, and leadership of integrated programmes/projects,
• Understanding of current Pacific Islands regional coastal fisheries science issues and management, and experience of working with gender and human rights-based issues relating to coastal fisheries.
• Proven ability to design, plan and facilitate workshops and other training.
• Experience working with PC systems, MS 365 software.
• Willingness to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries and territories, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and demonstrated ability to produce written reports for donors, funding proposals, trip reports, training materials etc.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Experience in successfully leading and/or collaborating and working with people from different ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This part-time position (60%) is budgeted for 364 days.

Remuneration – the Principal Advisor (Coastal Fisheries & Aquaculture Programme) is a Band 13 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 5,438–6,701 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 794,753–979,374 (USD 7,232–8,912; EUR 6,660–8,207). 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 and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Airfares, medical and life insurance are available for eligible employees. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave per year of contract 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 faire, 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.