Legal Officer (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture)

• Noumea-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly 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 renowned 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 is composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecosystems Programme (MEP). The Director’s Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the programmes and cross-cutting projects. Working with all 22 PICTs, SPC FAME has strong partnerships with regional, sub-regional and national entities working in the marine sector. SPC FAME staff are based in New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tonga, with most of the 165 plus staff being based in New Caledonia.

The role – The Legal Officer (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) will provide support to strengthen the enabling legal frameworks for effective coastal fisheries and aquaculture management and enhanced compliance in Pacific Islands.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Supporting the review, analysis and development of coastal fisheries and aquaculture legislation

• Provide support in reviewing and drafting coastal fisheries and aquaculture legislation.
• Write and contribute to reports, articles and publications on legal issues encountered in the coastal fisheries and aquaculture sector.
• Provide legal input to enable effective coastal fisheries and aquaculture management and enhance compliance with legislation.
• Maintain ongoing contact and exchange with other staff in the CFAP legal team to avoid overlap or duplication.

Assisting with capacity building activities on the preparation and implementation of coastal fisheries and aquaculture legislation

• Initiate and support the organisation and delivery of training activities and stakeholder consultations, both online and offline.
• Assist with developing awareness raising materials for magistrates and decision makers on coastal fisheries and aquaculture legislation.
• Ensure that all relevant sections of the REEFLEX online database are up-to-date and develop new tools or materials.
• Maintain ongoing contact and exchange with other staff in the CFAP legal team to avoid overlap or duplication.

Collaborating with other work areas within and across SPC sections, programmes and divisions, and other regional organisations

• Liaise and work with CFAP staff to integrate legal work into the areas of science, policy, compliance and community management, including for the development of awareness raising materials.
• Liaise with the Aquaculture Section to incorporate aquaculture and aquatic biosecurity concerns in legislation.
• Liaise and work with the FAME Information and MEL Sections to give visibility to CFAP’s work assisting PICTs in advancing legal matters.
• Liaise with other SPC Divisions and Programmes such as CCES, HRSD, PEUMP and others.

Section administration and communication

• Assist the Legal Adviser in developing and reporting on the Section’s annual work plan, consistent with the CFAP 5-Year Plan and FAME Business Plan.
• Produces reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity, including technical/legal reports and trip reports.
• Contributes to Programme and Divisional publications, such as the Fisheries Newsletter and the Coastal Fisheries Report Card.
• Maintains up to date corporate and administrative procedures records for all activities undertaken.
• Acquits any cash advances for fieldwork activities.
• Fills in for Management and Livelihoods Section staff when they are on leave or duty travel, when required and appropriate.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Marine Resources Management or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 3 years of practical experience working with legal documents, policies or management plans.
• Previous interaction with and knowledge of fisheries agencies in the Pacific region.
• Detailed understanding of legal frameworks governing natural resources, including marine resources.
• Experience in preparing and reviewing legal documents, policies or management plans.
• Experience in facilitating workshops and providing training on legal matters.
• Excellent computer skills across necessary applications.

 Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Excellent interpersonal skills in the multicultural environment of the Pacific islands.
• Willingness to travel and work in the Pacific region for extended periods.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until 30 September 2026 and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Legal Officer (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,038-3,702 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 444,062-541,020 (USD 4,041-4,923; EUR 3,721-4,534). 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 Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea – SPC provides housing support in Noumea and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Airfares, medical and life insurance are available for eligible employees. 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 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: 14 December 2025 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time

Job Reference: CR000514

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 (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. Describe your experience in reviewing and analysing legal documents dealing with natural resources, preferably marine resources.
2. Give examples of your involvement in facilitating stakeholder consultations and delivering training sessions on legal matters.
3. Do you have specific experience in drafting legislation or other legal documents related to natural resources management (preferably marine)? Please give examples.