• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the Pacific 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 Executive is made up of the Office of the Director General (DG) based in Noumea and the Offices of the two Deputy-Director Generals (DDGs). The DDG, Science and Capability based in Suva has oversight of the six technical divisions (Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems – FAME, Geoscience, Energy and Maritime – GEM, Human Rights and Social Development – HRSD, Land Resources Division – LRD, Public Health Division – PHD, and Statistics for Development – SDD) and two programmes (Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability – CCES and Education Quality and Assessment Programme – EQAP). The DDG, Operation and Integration has oversight of the Operations and Integration collective (finance, human resources, IT, publications, property & facilities management, translation and interpretation, legal services, travel, library and administration) and for all regional offices based outside of the Noumea headquarters and the Suva campus.

The role – Food Systems Flagship Coordinator will provide leadership and coordination of the Food Systems Flagship at SPC. The role will oversee the development and implementation of an integrated, cross-organisational work programme with staff in multiple divisions. It brings together research and implementation capabilities across the organisation, building partnerships and mobilising resources to achieve impact for member countries and SPC in the Food Systems space.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Integrated programme development and implementation

• Lead and facilitate a Pacific-owned co-design process for the Food Systems Flagship, ensuring alignment with member priorities, cultural values, and Indigenous knowledge.
• Coordinate cross-divisional programme development that brings together expertise from public health, NCDs, agriculture, fisheries, geoscience, climate and environment, and data science.
• Provide systems-level technical guidance that supports national and regional policy agendas, including multi-sector governance mechanisms.
• Ensure integration of climate resilience, gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability as core components.

Coordination, facilitation and outreach

• Coordinate the SPC Food Systems Taskforce, ensuring clear roles, aligned priorities, and effective cross-divisional collaboration
• Facilitate internal governance mechanisms that support decision-making, accountability, and cross-divisional coherence.
• Engage closely with member countries to identify needs, support food systems governance platforms, and coordinate multi-sector policy and implementation support.
• Coordinate alignment with regional partners and mechanisms and represent SPC in regional and global food systems dialogues to ensure a strong and consistent Pacific voice.

Resource mobilisation, visibility and strategic engagement

• Lead strategic resource mobilisation and funding access for the Food Systems Flagship and member countries, including traditional donor funding, climate finance, blended finance, and innovative financing mechanisms for national food system priorities.
• Develop high-quality proposals and strategic communications that reflect Pacific-led, integrated approaches and amplify SPC’s leadership in food systems transformation regionally and globally.
• Build and maintain high-level partnerships and engagement with donors, development banks, foundations, private sector actors, and global networks, supporting the Senior Leadership Team in championing SPC’s food systems agenda.

MEL and Knowledge Management

• Coordinate monitoring, evaluations and reporting for the Food Systems programme, in line with SPC and donor requirements.
• Facilitate reflection and planning sessions for the food systems taskforce and strategic projects.
• Lead knowledge management for the FS programme.

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

Key selection criteria 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., food systems, agricultural or fisheries science, geography, development studies, sustainability science, nutrition, social and public policy, public sector management, public health, statistics, economics) or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 15 years of technical experience across agriculture, fisheries, food industries, public policy, nutrition, public health, climate resilience, and value chain development, preferably in Pacific Island contexts, including experience working with multi-country or regional programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to think and work strategically, with strong systems thinking skills, experience in policy dialogue, and the ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder programmes at national, regional, and global levels.
• Knowledge of food systems, including blue (marine/ocean) and green (land/agriculture/health) systems, and systems approaches to sustainable development, nutrition, climate resilience, and food security in a development context.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of integrating gender, social inclusion, cultural knowledge, and youth engagement into food systems programmes.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating multi-disciplinary, multi-sector integrated programmes in government, international organisations, or research settings, preferably with regional or cross-country reach.      

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 Food Systems Flagship Coordinator is a band 13 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,291‒5,364 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 13,260–16,575 (USD 5,750–7,188; EUR 5,189–6,486). 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: 5 April 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000183

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. Briefly describe what “food systems transformation” means to you and what you see as the most important levers for change?
2. What are three current critical threats to Pacific Island food systems, and how do they impact at which layers of the food system?
3. What are the key elements of designing comprehensive stakeholder engagement across a high island food systems climate adaptation dialogue?
4. What are the key elements of applying integrated systems thinking within a people centred approach to wicked problems in natural resource management?