Coordinator - Editing

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• 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, 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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The role – Coordinator – Editing will be responsible for coordinating all editing and rapporteuring functions within SPC’s Publishing Services team, to ensure the effective delivery of publishing projects and reporting activities for the entire organisation. A critical component is the timely delivery of SPC’s governance documents. This role is also responsible for the administrative oversight of the editing team’s full cost recovery model, freelance rosters, workflows and tools and knowledge management responsibilities.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Coordination of publishing workflow and administration

• Coordinate SPC’s publishing workflow with the Coordinator – Graphic Design by ensuring clear project milestones, communication protocols and project timelines are in place at all project stages.
• Manage the consultant editors and rapporteurs in line with SPC’s procurement, finance, legal and publishing policies, and ensure they uphold editorial quality and delivery timelines.
• Oversee the implementation and availability of the IT/AI tools necessary to guarantee the scientific and technical quality and accuracy of SPC documents, ensuring that editors (internal and external) have the resources and information they need to meet SPC’ quality standards.
• Ensure quality control measures are in place through the implementation of systematic review processes at each workflow transition point and ensuring that editorial integrity is met alongside client expectations.

English editing and rapporteuring  

• Work collaboratively with SPC authors to ensure manuscripts meet corporate standards and policies.
• Perform development, copy editing and proofing of manuscripts to improve clarity, consistency and accuracy, and ensure they meet the needs of target audiences.
• Provide professional and technical advice to programme staff in all SPC offices on publishing issues, including copyright, translation and distribution.
• Serve as SPC’s key focal point for rapporteuring to the main governance meetings (CRGA and Conference). This includes editing or coordinating the editing of meeting papers, coordinating stakeholder feedback, supporting live drafting of outcomes documents and ensuring that the appropriate digital (IT/AI) tools for transcription are used.

Full cost recovery and budget

• Develop, implement and monitor a robust publishing full cost recovery model.
• Ensure the FCR model is socialised and understood across both the publishing team and SPC’s divisions.
• Oversee the development of an administrative process for publishing FCR and ensures that it is accurately administered in collaboration with the SPC Finance team.

Team management

• Provide day-to-day management of the direct reports.
• Lead the performance appraisal and process for editing and publishing administration staff.
• Ensure that staff receive appropriate training and career development opportunities.

• Lead procurement processes aimed for freelance editors and rapporteurs.

Technology, processes and training, and support to SPC’s information and knowledge management policies and processes

• Coordinate and ensure regular maintenance of the Publishing Team’s workflow system/s, processes and databases, including SharePoint, in collaboration with the Editor and the Publishing Coordination Assistant.
• Regularly review and streamline publishing workflow processes in collaboration with the Coordinator – Graphic Design.
• Work closely with the Manager – IKM, Publishing and Language Services to assess, develop and implement new AI and automation tools to create technical and administrative efficiencies.

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

Key selection criteria 

Qualifications 

• Postgraduate qualification in linguistics, languages, journalism, publishing or a related field, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience. 

Technical expertise

• At least ten years’ experience as an editor and/or rapporteur in a multilingual international organisation.
• At least 5 years’ experience managing small-to-medium teams, including recruitment, delivering performance reviews and developing staff.
• At least 5 years’ experience coordinating editorial/publishing projects and managing freelance and short-term staff.
• Demonstrable experience managing procurement processes and service contracts in an international organisation.
• Demonstrable experience implementing and using editorial technologies, including AI-based tools.
• Broad general knowledge and interest in SPC’s technical and scientific areas of work.
• Proven ability to multitask and work quickly and efficiently under pressure.
• Experience in designing and implementing new workflows, technologies and cost recovery models.        

Language skills 

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage. 

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness 

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment. 

Salary, terms and conditions 

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Coordinator - Editing is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,245‒4,057 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,768–12,211 (USD 4,316–5,395; EUR 3,975–4,969). Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration 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 Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. 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 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 bilingualism, 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 Privacy Policy.

Application procedure 

Closing Date: 14 December 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000916 

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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. Can you describe your experience coordinating editorial or publishing projects? Please provide a brief example of a recent project, ideally within a multilingual organisation.
2. How do you ensure editing quality and consistency across multiple projects and stakeholders, especially when managing freelance editors?
3. Can you share an experience of a time where you had to manage competing demands and tight deadlines with limited resources? How did you prioritise and communicate with stakeholders?