Senior Fisheries Technician (Genomics)

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 Senior Fisheries Technician (Genomics) will undertake a programme of work that supports the development and application of fisheries science to tuna fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean.  The role will have a strong focus on projecting the impact of climate change on tuna populations over seasonal, decadal and longer timeframes to assist the development of advanced warning systems and to evaluate adaptation options that mitigate adverse climate impacts on fisheries.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Genomics and biological sample analyses

• Provide high quality data
• Develop and adapt sampling and analysis protocols when required
• Implement good laboratory practices
• Contribute to sample collection and other analytical work when required

Supervision of Genomics lab and its maintenance

• Plan, organise, direct and coordinate activities in the Genomics laboratory at SPC Headquarters
• Ensure lab and equipment are clean and in good condition
• Supervise lab equipment purchase
• Ensure SPC Health and Safety, Procurement and Staff policies are adhered to (as related to work in the lab)
• Oversee tests and experiments and ensure that all tests and projects are completed on time
• Manage storage of genetic samples associated with the Pacific Marine Specimen Bank
• Increase the number of specimens in the collection

Data quality and database support

• Enter data in the database including data checking
• Screen, check and correct entered data to ensure high quality
• Suggest improvement to the database if necessary
• Supervision of database filling and maintenance
• Extract data from the database as required

Communication, reporting and training

• Produce reports as required and articles for newsletters and websites
• Train lab assistant, students, trainees and volunteers
• Participating and contributing to workshops and training to build capacity for national and regional institutions to obtain and interpret genomics data.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology or related fields

Technical expertise

• Seven years molecular laboratory experience
• Two years laboratory supervisory/leadership
• Proficiency in the use and development of relational databases

Language skills

• Excellent verbal communication in skills in English
• Well-developed technical writing competencies (in English)

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Proven ability to supervise the tasks of an inter-disciplinary and/or multi-cultural team
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage

Salary, terms and conditions

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

Remuneration – the Senior Fisheries Technician (Genomics) is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,140–3,829 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 449,687–548,326 (USD 4,491–5,476; EUR 3,768–4,595). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is 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 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 15 January 2023 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: SH000220

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.

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. Briefly describe what protocols must be followed to maintain quality control of biological samples for genetic analyses
2. Briefly describe the role of metabarcoding approaches in assessing biodiversity
3. Briefly describe the benefits and weaknesses of long and short read sequencing