(Senior) Fisheries Adviser (E-Technologies)

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 organisation works across more than 20 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 – This appointment will be made at either the Senior Fisheries Adviser or the Fisheries Adviser level, depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

The role will be responsible for the following major functions:

1. Leadership, administration and communication

• Contributes to annual work plans and work plan reports for the FEMA Section.
• Implements the SPC staff performance planning and management system for the Fisheries Monitoring E-technology Team.
• Contributes to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications.
• Additionally, for appointment at the Senior Fisheries Adviserlevel:
  • Assists FEMA’s Fisheries Monitoring team leader and FAME’s Senior Management Team (FAME-SMT) in strategic planning to ensure the needs of SPC members are met.
  • Develops, in consultation with the FAME-SMT funding and/or cost-recovery proposals to ensure that work plans are adequately funded.

2. Transitioning E-Technology solutions into standard practices

• Consult and participate in national and regional processes to develop E-reporting and E-monitoring operational and data standards.
• Consults with members regarding their fisheries monitoring needs and designs digital solutions that contribute to meeting those needs.
• Formulate advice on E-reporting and E-monitoring issues as they relate to scientific data collections for SPC members, CROP agency partners and WCPFC.
• Investigates potential of E-Technology Systems to support to SPC initiatives for enhanced data collection and curation.
• Oversees and contributes to the delivery of other E-Reporting and E-Monitoring activities and projects.

3. Implements integrated E-Technology systems

• Develop E-Technology solutions for scientific data collection in consultation with SPC members and CROP agency partners based on the agreed standards and requirements.
• Ensures quality assurance processes for the scientific data acquired through E-Technologies are implemented.

4. Capacity building of SPC members in fisheries monitoring

• Delivers regional vocational training in E-Technologies.
• Reviews existing E-Technology platforms and undertakes capacity needs analysis.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Master degree in fisheries science, fisheries management or related discipline.

2. Technical expertise

• Consideration of appointment at the Senior Fisheries or Fisheries Adviser levels will be based on, but not limited to, the extent of experience in developing and progressing the monitoring requirements for scientific work and/or the management of fisheries. Ten years’ experience is desirable for the Senior Fisheries Adviser level and seven to eight years’ experience is desirable for the Fisheries Adviser
• Demonstrated competencies in the application of E- technologies and/or fisheries intelligence systems for fisheries monitoring and scientific data collection.
• Well-developed and demonstrated facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated experience in writing reports, meeting papers and proposals.
• An excellent knowledge of e-reporting and e-monitoring tools and policies as they apply to tuna fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean.

3. Language skills

• Proficiency in English is essential, with a basic knowledge of French being an advantage.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Communication and inter-personal skills of a high order required to interact with colleagues from member countries, CROP agencies and industry specialists
• Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated understanding of developing country environments.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories and direct experience of tuna fisheries in the Pacific region is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This 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 – Appointment will be made in SPC’s salary scale at either the Senior Fisheries Adviser level band 12 in SPC’s 2021 salary scale range; starting salary range of 4,685–5,760 SDR [Special Drawing Rights] per month, equivalent to approximately XPF 685,755-843,105 (USD 6,512-8,006; EUR 5,747-7,065); or the Fisheries Adviser level band 11 in SPC’s 2021 salary scale; starting salary range of 4,113–5,045 SDR [Special Drawing Rights] per month, equivalent to approximately XPF 602,042–738,463 (USD 5,717–7,012; EUR 5,045–6,188). An offer of appointment to one of these positions will be made, dependent on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate in relation to the criteria as outlined above. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of the relevant range, with due consideration being given to qualifications and experience. 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 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 fair, 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 21 November 2021 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time

Job Reference: AL000434

Please use SPC’s online recruitment system to lodge your application:  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

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

All international positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening questions: (2.000 characters maximum per question)

1. Briefly articulate the roles and responsibilities of the regional agencies and Pacific Island administrations in the implementation of tuna fisheries E-technologies in the western and central Pacific Ocean
2. What emerging e-technologies do you consider as the next generation of tools for application in fisheries science and monitoring?
3. Provide an example of your experience with E-Technologies in fisheries that would be relevant to this position.

Final_JD_Senior_Fisheries Adviser (E-Technologies).docx