Senior Communications and Digital Engagement Officer At Pacific Community

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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 (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are four (4) areas of scientific programming 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.
  4. Earth and Ocean Observation Services – Promoting spatial data and systems analysis and capacity to improve decision-making to improve resilience and sustainable resource management.

The role – Senior Communications and Digital Engagement Officer will lead the implementation of digital and strategic communications plans to enhance the visibility and engagement of the Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific II (BSRP II) project. The role also ensures that project-specific messaging is integrated within the broader GEM strategic communications framework established by the SCOPE Division, fostering collaboration across the Pacific Community’s (SPC) platforms.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Strategic Communications

  • Implement the BSRP II communications strategy in alignment with SPC corporate branding, One SPC guidelines, and GEM strategic communications priorities.
  • Coordinate with the Team Leader Strategic Communications and Engagement to update the strategy in response to emerging priorities and stakeholder needs.
  • Ensure all communication outputs meet donor visibility and branding requirements and align with agreed strategic objectives.
  • Contribute to alignment between project-level communications and GEM divisional priorities.

Digital Content Creation and Engagement

  • Develop and deliver high-quality digital content (including stories, newsletters, multimedia products, and infographics) tailored to Pacific audiences.
  • Manage BSRP II digital platforms, ensuring content is current, accurate, and aligned with GEM campaigns.
  • Establish and maintain a digital content calendar in coordination with ICCs and programme teams.
  • Produce multimedia content that translates technical information into accessible formats.

Training and Capacity Building

  • Deliver training to ICCs, NDMOs, and partners on digital communications tools, processes, and standards.
  • Support ICCs in planning and managing communication budgets.
  • Provide guidance and quality assurance to ensure consistency in branding, messaging, and product quality.
  • Promote the use of SPC-approved tools, templates, and SOPs for content development and management.

Event Communication and Media Engagement

  • Plan and deliver communication support for events, workshops, and consultations.
  • Prepare media releases, event briefs, and multimedia content to support visibility.
  • Coordinate with Strategic Communications, Outreach, Publications and Engagement (SCOPE) Division to extend media reach and engagement.
  • Maintain event communication templates and visual identity assets for rapid deployment.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

  • Monitor and report on communication performance using analytics and stakeholder feedback.
  • Prepare quarterly reports and contributing to divisional communication reporting products.
  • Document and consolidate n-country communication outputs, success stories, and lessons learned.
  • Provide recommendations to improve communication effectiveness and reach.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, digital media, marketing, international development or a related field, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

  • At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in digital communications, including strategic content development, dissemination, and engagement.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute targeted social media strategies and campaigns tailored to specific audiences.
  • Proficiency in multimedia content creation, including design, video editing, and photography, with a portfolio showcasing high-quality published work.
  • Strong capacity to engage and build relationships with government agencies, community stakeholders, and the general public.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, including in challenging physical and cultural environments.

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 9 November 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Senior Communications and Digital Engagement Officer is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,399‒2,998 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,412–9,265 (USD 3,214–4,018; EUR 2,900–3,625). 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 Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 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 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.

How to apply

Application procedure

Closing Date: 6 September 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000977

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

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

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. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

  1. Describe a communication product, campaign or digital content piece you personally developed that turned complex technical, scientific or policy information into accessible content. What was the original material, who was the audience, what did you write or produce, and how did you decide what to simplify, retain or leave out?
  2. Describe your experience creating communications for Pacific audiences, communities, governments, regional organisations, donors or development partners. If your experience is from a different context, explain what is transferable, what would need to change, and how you would make your content appropriate for Pacific audiences.
  3. GEM is preparing communications for a high-level regional event, but the agenda, speakers, technical inputs and partner requirements are still changing. You are responsible for digital content, social media, web updates, visual assets and event-ready materials. How would you organise your work before, during and after the event to ensure content is accurate, approved, accessible, on-brand and useful for future