Field Veterinarian

• 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 Land Resources Division (LRD) provides effective expert scientific advice, capacity building and services on conservation, development and utilization of plant genetic resources, forest and landscape management, resilient agricultural systems, diversification of livelihood strategies and access to markets to maintain ecosystem services and improve land productivity and the food, nutrition security and resilience of Pacific communities. LRD has expertise in genetic resource conservation, resilient agriculture, biosecurity, pest and disease management, agricultural extension, plant pathology, entomology, and animal health. It collaborates with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to pinpoint the needs and priorities of Pacific countries and communities and provide technical expertise to address them. This mission is realized through four main thematic work areas, or pillars, and a progressively integrated approach to programming that works towards achieving SPC’s development goals.

The role – The Field Veterinarian will be responsible for developing one health within the pillar of sustainable agriculture and will take the lead role in executing field activities under the USAID-funded Global Health Security project. Specifically, the field veterinarian will provide strategic and expert advice and coordination support on one health matter across LRD and PHD programs, SPC member countries and regional stakeholders.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Strategic and policy advice

• Provide strategic and policy advice to LRD, PHD, and Pacific stakeholders on one health activity in the region to contribute to better health outcomes for animals, humans, and the environment.
• Provide technical advice and support to help build Member countries' capacities in surveillance work to curb zoonotic disease outbreaks.
• Keep abreast of development issues related to one health relevant to the region and develop strategic research priorities and activities to support the improvement of one health practice in countries.
• Ensure effective and timely response to health-related issues in countries through effective partnerships with stakeholders such as the quadripartite.
• Conduct policy analysis and provide advice to contribute to practical one health activities and surveillance in member countries.

Scientific, technical advice and activity implementation

• Identify regional and international opportunities to increase laboratory diagnostic capabilities in the region
• Execute animal health and veterinary support programmes in countries through surveillance of zoonotic diseases.
• Provide technical and scientific advice to member countries on animal husbandry practices that lead to better health outcomes for humans, animals, and the environment.
• Actively coach, mentor and develop the capacity of internal personnel and external stakeholders on animal health and production practices.
• Assess, identify and develop priority training programmes related to one health in countries.
• As and where required to support animal health and production activities within member countries.

Resource mobilisation and partnerships

• In collaboration with the One Health Coordinator, support the One Health technical working group of the Pacific Heads of Veterinary and Animal Production Services Network (PHOVAPS)
• In collaboration with One Health Coordinator, serve as a liaison point to support the  coordination  of  the work of PHOVAPS to strengthen its functions and effective linkages across the region - addressing issues concerned with one health-related matters
• Support and advocate for the One Health approach to leveraging partnerships and mobilising stakeholders in animal health activities.
• In collaboration with the One Health Coordinator, pursue effective partnership mechanisms to support effective resource mobilisation through organisations such as the quadripartite.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• In collaboration with the One Health Team, support the effective planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of One Health activities
• Lead in developing and implementing scientific and results reports, including dissemination through existing information and knowledge management platforms, and support advocacy needs for the sustainability and scaling of lessons.
• Support the development and implementation of relevant research and ensure results are documented, managed and disseminated to countries and development partners.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in veterinary science or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

 Technical expertise

• At least 10 years’ experience working on animal health and production and/or one health activities
• Proven knowledge and experience on managing donor-funded projects
• Proven experience in negotiating, building and maintaining professional, client-focused relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships

 Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English.

 Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, creative thinking and ability to work independently and ability to work as part of a multicultural team

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Field Veterinarian 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). 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: 11 January 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000522

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. Pacific Island Countries have had long standing issues with zoonoses that have greatly impacted the welling of human and animal health. Some of these zoonoses have plagued the countries for decades and have caused devastating outbreaks and even pandemics. From your professional experience, describe some zoonoses events in the Pacific region that you have encountered or experienced and describe the surveillance and response steps taken in your setting.
2. Given the remoteness and unique challenges with resource scarcity within the veterinary services in the Pacific Region, as a field veterinarian how do you execute animal health and veterinary support programmes to improve animal disease surveillance and veterinary diagnostic services in the region while leveraging regional and international support?
3. The countries and territories of SPC represent significant cultural diversity, as well as notable differences in collaboration within the One Health approach and the resources available to the stakeholders. What working methods would you implement to achieve the objectives outlined in the job description?