Monitoring Control and Surveillance Officer (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture)

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 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 Micronesia Regional Office (MRO) situated in Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), is the main hub for SPC's projects and partnerships with the Micronesian members of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the Republic of Palau, and the United States territories of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Guam. The MRO opened in January 2006.

The role – the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Officer (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) will provide, support and assist the training of national MCS officers and community wardens responsible for coastal fisheries and aquaculture monitoring, control and surveillance within the Pacific island countries and territories, to help ensure effective coastal fisheries and aquaculture management across the Pacific islands region by raising the profile of compliance with coastal fisheries and aquaculture regulations.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Facilitate and support the training of new national fisheries and aquaculture MCS officers and assist with the ongoing training and mentoring of existing fisheries officers as they develop their MCS careers

• Facilitate and assist in-country MCS training and provide the lead trainer with back up training delivery and administration support
• Assist with developing a compliance culture in coastal fisheries and aquaculture among national fisheries agencies and the general public
• Assist with the development and distribution of information and awareness materials on fisheries and aquaculture regulations
• Promote and support processes that enable offshore fisheries officers to assist with the training and mentoring of their coastal fisheries counterparts

2. Facilitate and support training of community-based fish wardens and community compliance officers using the Professional Certificate in Community Compliance as a basic guiding approach to training

• Be the focal point for National Fisheries agencies to liaise with national training institutes to conduct the Professional Certificate in Community Compliance
• Work closely with the SPC MCS&E Adviser (CF&A) and the NZ MPI Te Patui programme to deliver the Professional Certificate in Community Compliance where no national capacity or commitment to deliver this training exists
• Work closely with the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network in implementing community-based MCS under the PEUMP programme.

3. Assist with developing specific training materials for individual countries through stakeholder consultations based on their needs, and taking into account gender, culture and human rights needs in the PICTs

• Undertake scoping work with individual PICTs to identify their MCS training needs and develop training programmes to address these needs
• Working with individual PICTs and in collaboration with the SPC FAME Fisheries Information Unit and appropriate CFAP sections, develop materials such as training manuals, Standard Operating Procedure templates and other educational information
• Support national processes to develop and implement information and awareness strategies for coastal fisheries and aquaculture MCS

4. Section administration and communication

• Assist the MCS Adviser (CF&A) in developing and reporting on the Section’s annual work plan, consistent with the CFAP 5-Year Plan and FAME Business Plan.
• Produce reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity, including training, technical and trip reports, and inputs to funding proposals, and donor reports.
• Contribute to Programme and Divisional publications, such as the Fisheries Newsletter and the Coastal Fisheries Report Card.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree or equivalent in a field relevant to natural resource management with a focus on monitoring control and surveillance.

2. Technical expertise

• At least 7 years’ practical experience with monitoring, control and surveillance, preferably in the Pacific.
• Experience in training and mentoring counterparts and supervising attachments and junior staff.
• Previous interaction with and knowledge of MCS in the Pacific region, particularly in the Micronesia sub-region.
• Demonstrated experience in training, writing reports, reporting against project work plans and managing project expenditure.
• Demonstrated experience in working as part of a team or alone with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to assist with the facilitation of stakeholder consultations to reach a workable solution.
• Willingness to travel and work in the Pacific region for extended periods, sometimes under difficult conditions.
• Excellent computer skills across necessary applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word, TEAMs, etc.
• Valid driver’s license.

3. Language skills

• Excellent skills in cross-cultural oral and written communication and teamwork in English, with the capacity to engage effectively with scientific, government, public and community audiences.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Demonstrated capacity to work with people from different technical skills and cultural backgrounds.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.

Remuneration – the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Officer (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) is a Band 10 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,183–3,913 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately USD 4,551–5,595. 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. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Federated States of Micronesia; Federated States of Micronesia Nationals employed by SPC in Pohnpei will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international staff employees based in Pohnpei – SPC provides a housing allowance of USD 1,000 USD – 2,000 USD. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance, and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual 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.