• 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are four (4) areas of scientific programming within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.
4. Earth and Ocean Observation Services – Promoting spatial data and systems analysis and capacity to improve decision-making to improve resilience and sustainable resource management.

The role – GIS Application and Mapping Officer will be responsible for the effective and timely delivery of survey data as well as supporting the implementation of coastal hazard and risk mapping, monitoring and inherent technical training programme in the country to address coastal risk management issues having relevance and significance to the peoples and governments of SPC member countries that enables them to improve their capacities, plan, manage and develop their natural resources in a sustainable way.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Spatial Analysis and Risk related Mapping

• Conduct spatial analyses to support planning, operations, and decision-making.
• Produce high-quality maps, dashboards, and visualizations using GIS software (e.g. QGIS).
• Support scenario modelling and spatial queries for internal teams and member countries.
• Produce hazard assessment and risk monitoring products.
• Identify opportunities to improve GIS workflows and data quality.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen science based delivery through innovative GIS applications.
• Advise on software and data needs and undertake procurement as required.
• Provide technical expert advice on GIS related application to technical officers across SPC’s member countries.

Survey, Data Processing and Management

• Support the design and implementation of coastal risk monitoring programme.
• Support (or lead when needed) the day-to-day management and coordination of the survey team (2-10 people) composed of staff from SPC and member countries during field work.
• Ensure appropriate international, regional and internal data collection standards are met.
• Actively contribute to the management of coastal risk data into relevant data management systems following internationally recognised standards (e.g. data format, metadata).
• Ensure field data are adequately processed and analysis of field survey data.
• Provide technical advice to member countries towards sound-in-country coastal risk monitoring related activities.

Capacity Building

• Support the design of technical training programme related to coastal risk assessment and monitoring.
• Advice on technical capacity needs to strengthen country-led coastal risk monitoring and assessment work.
• Development of regionally and nationally tailored technical training materials.
• Support the effective coordination and monitoring of capacity building training.
• Undertake hands-on training during fieldwork.

Project Management Support

• Support the development and the continuous update of project documents (e.g. costed workplan, daily log, issue log, risk register, progress report, etc.)
• Support the development of costed workplans with guidance from the technical leads.
• Support the oceanography team’s annual reporting (e.g. MEL).

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in GIS, environmental science, disaster risk reduction or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 4 years of working experience in coastal risk assessment and monitoring related fieldwork including data processing.
• Experience in conducting technical training.
• Experience in data management systems.
• Sound experience and knowledge in GIS and remote sensing related to coastal risk assessment and monitoring.
• Sound knowledge of the disaster risk framework, its implementation at various scales and inherent challenges in the regional context.
• Experience in managing teams in the field during surveys.
• Experience with facilitating stakeholder engagement and training workshop.
• Knowledge of physical processes relating to coastal hazard in the Pacific region.
• Aptitude for the provision of high-quality service.  

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 – Until 31 March 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The GIS Application and Mapping Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,146‒2,683 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,632–8,290 (USD 2,876–3,595; EUR 2,595–3,244). 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. Relocation airfares, excess luggage, health and life and disability insurances are available for employees. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, prorated on contract length 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: 15 February 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000924

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. Identify three GIS software platforms you have used and describe a specific task or workflow you have performed with each.
2. Describe one basic and one advanced method you have used (or are familiar with) for collecting topographic data. Explain how they differ in accuracy, cost, and suitability for different environments.
3. List three satellite imagery providers you have worked with or are familiar with and explain the types of data you obtained from them.