Principal Fisheries Scientist (Coastal Fisheries & Aquaculture) At Pacific Community

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Principal Fisheries Scientist (Coastal Fisheries & Aquaculture) within its Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.

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 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 includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP). CFAP’s goal is to ensure that inshore fisheries, nearshore fisheries and aquaculture in Pacific Island countries and territories are managed and developed sustainably. The programme assists governments and administrations to develop scientifically informed and socially achievable coastal fisheries management policies and procedures (national and community-based). It provides support for sustainable aquaculture, including planning, research and development, aquatic biosecurity and trade, for Pacific Island governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. It assists in developing sustainable nearshore fisheries in Pacific Island countries and territories to provide for food security, sustainable livelihoods, economic growth and assist climate change adaptation.

**The role –the Principal Fisheries Scientist (Coastal Fisheries & Aquaculture)**will lead and manage the work programme of the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Section to provide the highest quality scientific support and advice to PICT governments and other stakeholders in planning and implementing coastal fisheries and aquaculture science activities in support of evidence-based management and sustainable development.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Section leadership, management, administration and communication

• Assists in strategic planning to ensure that the work for the Section meets the needs of SPC members and other Programme clients
• Develops, in consultation with senior CFAP staff, the Section’s annual work plan and work plan reports
• Manages the activities of the Section consistent with annual work plans and available funding
• Implements the SPC staff performance planning and management system for the Section and facilitates their professional development
• Contributes to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications and reports

Development and oversight of the strategic direction of the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Section to support current and emerging science needs and priorities in support of PICT coastal fisheries and aquaculture policy, management and sustainable development

• Consults regularly with members regarding their coastal fisheries and aquaculture applied science needs and priorities
• Oversees the development and management of the section’s strategic direction and focus to support members’ coastal fisheries and aquaculture applied science needs and priorities
• Ensures the Science Section provides appropriate and relevant scientific support to the Aquaculture and the Management and Livelihoods sections
• Oversees and supports the implementation of the PEUMP Programme KRA 3 science related activities

Lead, manage and assist with research, development, delivery and application of innovative and appropriate methods and tools in support of SPC member coastal fisheries and aquaculture applied science needs

• Oversees and supports the Science team’s work on developing methods and tools appropriate to the data-poor nature of PICT coastal fisheries and aquaculture
• Oversees and supports the transitioning of e-technology solutions into standard practices
• Consults and participates in national, regional and international processes to develop e-reporting and e-monitoring operational and data standards for coastal fisheries and aquaculture
• Oversees, supports and assists with the delivery of science training and transfer of tools and approaches to PICT

Lead the preparation of funding proposals to build the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Section’s capacity and capability to meet the increasing SPC member applied science needs for coastal fisheries and aquaculture management and sustainable development

• Develops, in consultation with the Deputy Director FAME (CF&A) funding and/or cost-recovery proposals to ensure that CFAP and the Science Section work plans are adequately funded
• Works closely with the Aquaculture Section to develop and enhance aquaculture-related science support
• Assists the FAME Director, Deputy Director (CF&A), and SPC resource mobilisation staff with the preparation of FAME-wide, and/or cross-Divisional proposal preparation as required

Promote and support internal and inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration in coastal fisheries and aquaculture science

• Prepare and review papers for publication in peer reviewed journals, books chapters or other resources, and support the Science Section staff to publish
• Develop and promote collaborations with other programmes and divisions within SPC
• Develop links with other CROP agencies, universities, NGOs and CSOs
• Advocate at regional and global forums on behalf of the Pacific islands’ region coastal fisheries and aquaculture applied science interests
• Work closely with other components of the PEUMP programme within SPC and with FFA, SPREP and USP

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in fisheries science, coastal fisheries science, aquaculture science, or a related field

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years’ relevant experience working on applied science related to fisheries, coastal fisheries and/or aquaculture finfish 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 5 years’ experience in managing science staff, team leadership, project development and project management
• Demonstrated experience of collaboration between institutions, and leadership of integrated projects/programmes
• Proven ability to design, plan and facilitate workshops and other training
• Experience working with PC systems, MS Office/365 software, and relevant statistical software packages
• 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
• Understanding of current Pacific Islands regional coastal fisheries and aquaculture science issues, and experience of working with gender and human rights-based issues relating to coastal fisheries and/or aquaculture

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until 31 December 2025 and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – the Principal Fisheries Scientist (Coastal Fisheries & Aquaculture) is a Band 13 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 5,314–6,547 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 761,025–937,499 (USD 7,600–9,362; EUR 6,377–7,856). 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 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 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.