Graphic Design Officer

• 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, 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 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 three 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 staff being based in New Caledonia.

The role – the Graphic Design Officer will support SPC FAME ’s communication and dissemination of information through design, project management and layout for SPC FAME information tools in print and electronic forms, and through providing photography and video services for SPC programmes.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Providing graphic design and layout services for SPC FAME publications and information projects

• Providing high-quality graphic design services to SPC FAME programmes, including concept development, design and layout for a range of formats: books, reports, posters, leaflets, manuals, banners, web pages and social media
• Delivering high-quality infographics and data visualisation tools for publications and on an ad-hoc basis for divisional/corporate reports
• Developing high-quality design briefs for documents to be published in various formats (print, digital, etc.)
• Designing and layout of a variety of materials in two-colour and full colour (reports, covers, leaflets, conference material, handouts, newsletters, etc.) for print or digital production (PDF, online content, e-book, etc.)
• Providing advice to SPC FAME staff on art and design elements and preparing and presenting training to SPC FAME staff on art and design.
• Developing conceptual diagrams and graphs illustrating scientific data, using a range of software programmes, and adapting diagrams and graphs for various formats
• Adapting conceptual diagrams and graphs for insertion in publications and for printing
• Keeping up to date with new software applications and developments in the fields of publication design, printing technologies and web presentation formats, and be proactive in proposing their implementation where relevant

Supporting SPC FAME’s information and knowledge management processes

• Contributing to the Publishing Team’s community of designers regarding SPC visual identity.
• Applying the Publishing Team’s guidelines in her/his design work.
• Liaising with programmes around development partner visibility requirements
• Meeting corporate requirements for information and knowledge management in relation to production, distribution and archiving of publications in digital and print formats, including contributing to maintaining systems for archiving and retrieving documents produced by SPC FAME
• Contributing to building a SPC FAME photo and video bank, in liaison with the Publishing graphics team and IT

Managing graphic design projects or project elements, and supporting the SPC FAME project pipeline

• Managing the progression of graphic design projects, or of publishing projects through the graphic design elements
• Providing quotations on request and soliciting quotations from external service providers

Photography and video editing for SPC FAME teams

• Taking photographs as requested by SPC FAME programmes, and providing technical enhancement using appropriate techniques and software
• Providing photographs to illustrate programme publications and publicity material, and liaising with programmes for sourcing of photographs when necessary
• Liaising with programmes for the provision of project and activity images
• Providing advice to programmes on taking high-quality and appropriate photographs for print and e-mediums
• Developing small animations from illustrations to be used by SPC FAME team in presentations and/or during training sessions.
• Create videos from footage took by SPC FAME teams or external providers
• Follow the production of small movies/animations with external providers
• Keep up to date with new software applications and developments in the field of video editing and animation and be proactive in proposing their implementation if relevant

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in graphic design and multimedia, graphic arts or similar field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of experience in graphic design in a similar role
• Thorough knowledge and demonstrated experience of publishing and graphics software
• Demonstrated experience of web design software
• Experience in liaising with printers
• Experience in print- and digital-quality photography
• Understanding of graphical charters and typography
• Experience in managing image libraries
• Ability to provide training in use of graphic design software
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously

Language skills

• Good communications skills (English)

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage

Salary, terms and conditions

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

Remuneration – the Graphic Design Officer 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). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia. 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.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea – SPC provides housing support 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 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: 11 January 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000521

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. Could you describe the most challenging design project you’ve undertaken so far? What difficulties did you encounter, and what did you learn from the experience?
2. Please describe at least one data visualisation project you have completed. What process did you follow, and which tools did you use?
3. What steps do you take to continually enhance your design skills and knowledge?