Principal Fisheries Adviser (GCF Tuna Project Feasibility Study)

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 Programme (CFP). The goal of the OFP is to ensure fisheries that exploit the region’s resources of tuna, billfish and related species are managed for economic and ecological sustainability using the best available scientific information. In pursuing this goal, the OFP provides scientific support for the management of fisheries for tuna and associated species, with a strong focus on stock assessment and modelling, fisheries and ecosystem monitoring and analysis and data management. The OFP works closely with member countries and territories, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, the Forum Fisheries Agency, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement and other regional and sub-regional entities.

The role – the Principal Fisheries Adviser (GCF Tuna Project Feasibility Study) will be responsible for preparing the “Feasibility Study” to support the Green Climate Fund: “Adapting tuna dependent Pacific Island communities and economies to climate change”, for the 14 participating countries in project.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Project management and administration

• Coordinates consultants and internal SPC staff allocated to assist with preparing the documentation to support the GCF full proposal.
• Manages the overall financial resources of the GCF preparation project.
• Participates and coordinates SPC’s inputs to joint country missions and strategies that negotiate agreement of activities for inclusion in the GCF final documentation.
• Authorizes all travel and procurement of goods and services for the GCF project preparations.
• Oversees and/or takes lead on donor reporting for the GCF project with assistance from the MEL team.

Design of Integrated Programmes of work

• Leads discussions with FFA, PNA Office and any other relevant sub-regional groups on the respective work of the GCF project.
• Leads discussions with Government Ministers and senior officials on the respective work of the GCF project.
• Facilitates negotiations between project partners to develop the GCF work program.
• Prepares the Feasibility Study for the GCF tuna project.

Technical Advice

• Participates in one or more of the technical work areas of the GCF project preparation, according to skills and experience.
• Designs additional studies needed to fill gaps in the knowledge base needed for preparing the GCF Feasibility Study.
• Provides advice to the GCF Accredited Agency on technical gaps and uncertainties in the preparation of the GCF project documentation.

Communications

• Oversees the communication of the GCF preparatory work internally across SPC and externally to clients, the scientific community and the general public.
• Contributes and coordinates GCF project inputs to Divisional and Corporate publications.
• Promotes the GCF project to raise the profile of oceanic fisheries vulnerabilities to climate change.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in natural resource management, fisheries science or a related field.

Technical expertise

• A minimum of 15 years of proven expertise in the design of large-scale investments in fisheries and design of reporting and evaluation criteria.
• Demonstrated technical report writing skills necessary to prepare technical reports and papers which include a range of fisheries and socio-economic data summaries.
• A sound knowledge of national and regional fisheries policy in the Pacific.
• Understanding the concepts and methods used in developing adaptation and mitigation measures to minimise the impacts of climate change on fisheries.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a medium-sized technical programme and supervise professional and technical contractors.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Communication skills of a high order required to interact with Government Ministers and senior officials from member countries and non-member countries involved in tuna fisheries of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This part-time position (50%) is budgeted for 2 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance. The position may need to commence remotely with relocation to Noumea to be arranged when travel to SPC Headquarters is available.

Remuneration– the Principal Fisheries Adviser (GCF Tuna Project Feasibility Study) is a Band 13 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range (on full time basis) 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.

Application procedure

Closing date: 9 October 2022 – 11:00 pm, Noumea time

Job Reference: SH000159

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.

Screening questions (2.000 characters maximum)

1. Briefly (approx. 100 words) describe the governance arrangements for tuna fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean?
2. What are some of the adaptations being considered to the reduce the impacts of climate change on Pacific fisheries?
3. How is climate change expected to exacerbate food security gaps in Pacific Island countries?

JD-Tuna-ClimateGCFSpecialistAug2022.docx