• 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 Human Rights and Social Development Division (HRSD) has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.

In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:

  • Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
  • Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
  • Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
  • Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
  • Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.

The role – Director – Human Rights and Social Development is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the successful delivery of the SPC HRSD work program, which involves the provision of technical assistance to SPC members in the areas of human rights and good governance, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, and culture for development, consistent with the SPC HRSD Strategic Plan and the SPC Strategic Plan.  This leadership role requires the provision of strategic direction and implementation, program and project management oversight, financial oversight, resource mobilisation, personnel management oversight, and strengthening strategic relationships with stakeholders. As a senior leader at SPC, the role is also required to provide advice and other forms of support to the SPC Director-General, two Deputy Director-Generals, and the SPC Senior Leadership Team.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Strategic planning, policy and programming advice

  • Provide strategic vision, leadership and high-level policy and technical advice to ensure the Division’s work meets the needs of SPC programmes, member governments and stakeholders.
  • Lead divisional strategic and business planning, including annual work plans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and policies.
  • Contribute to, and support the development and implementation of, national and regional strategies, policies, declarations and frameworks advancing human rights and good governance, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, and Pacific culture, aligned with global commitments.
  • Provide leadership on regional human rights and social development priorities across SPC, including engagement with Senior Leadership, Flagship Leads, member governments and key stakeholders.

Leadership and people management

  • Foster a positive, collaborative working environment that supports quality outputs and outcomes across and within divisions.
  • Promote staff health, safety and wellbeing through regular engagement, mentoring, coaching, and clear role direction.
  • Participate as a member of the SPC Senior Leadership Team and champion SPC corporate policies and decisions at divisional level.
  • Provide leadership on organisational and change-related issues affecting the Division.
  • Manage human resources, including recruitment, performance planning and management, and staff learning and development.
  • Oversee divisional financial management, including budgets and donor reporting in line with programme and project requirements.
  • Support SPC-wide actions to strengthen organisational risk management and compliance.

Programme management, integrated programming and mainstreaming

  • Ensure high‑quality delivery of the Division’s work programme in line with strategic/business and annual work plans, budgets, donor agreements (including reporting), and SPC and partner processes.
  • Ensure the Division contributes effectively to SPC Flagships and integrated programming, including mainstreaming the People‑Centred Approach.
  • Ensure the Division has adequate human, financial and technical resources, with appropriate skills and capabilities.
  • Establish and maintain robust monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems for divisional outputs and outcomes.
  • Ensure learning from programme implementation, applied research and partnerships informs future programme design and delivery.
  • Actively contribute to the design and delivery of integrated SPC programmes and projects.
  • Promote and apply Pacific approaches to capacity building to support divisional and SPC‑wide outcomes.
  • Lead capacity building and mainstreaming initiatives that strengthen cross‑divisional and cross‑agency collaboration.
  • Identify and advance innovative programme approaches to support human rights‑based approaches, gender equality, culture and youth development.

Fundraising and resource mobilisation

  • Lead a fundraising and resource mobilisation strategy / plan which is aligned to the division’s business plan and programmes priorities.
  • Facilitate capacity building on mobilising resources for thematic areas (human rights, gender equality, culture and youth development).

Stakeholder engagement and relationship management

  • Establish and maintain donor relations and leads negotiations for fundraising and resource mobilisation.
  • Represent SPC and the Division effectively at national, regional and international forums / other meetings as required.
  • Enhance the division and SPC’s visibility through representation and delivery of papers and presentations.
  • Strengthen SPC and donor partnerships through strategic communications and visibility of divisional and programmes outcomes.
  • Represent SPC at national, regional and international fora as and when required by the Director-General and Deputy Director-General.

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

 

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

  • Masters level degree in human rights law, development, sociology or other relevant subject related to human rights, development studies, gender or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

  • At least 15 years of experience in human rights or social development.
  • At least 15 years of demonstrated senior management experience, including personnel, project and financial management.
  • Highly developed leadership and planning skills.
  • Demonstrated experience with the raising of external funding.
  • Demonstrated ability to network, communicate and represent effectively at national, regional and international levels.
  • Knowledge of key global and regional frameworks and plans for human rights and social development, particularly in gender, culture and youth development.
  • Knowledge and experience of the socio-political situations, government systems and public policy processes in Pacific Island countries and territories.
  • Experience in working with UN agencies, development partners, NGOs, civil society organisations in the Pacific region.      

Language skills

  • Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

 

Salary, terms and conditions

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

Remuneration – The Director – Human Rights and Social Development is a band 15 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 5,924‒7,406 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 18,306–22,883 (USD 7,939–9,924; EUR 7,163–8,954). 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: 24 May 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: CB000359

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 an example of how you contributed to a national or regional policy, strategy or framework that advanced one or more of the following: human rights and good governance; gender equality; disability and social inclusion; and/or positive expressions of Pacific culture. Please outline your role, approach, and outcome. (Maximum 500 words).
  2. In managing a large multisectoral team, how have you balanced competing priorities from external (members and donors) and internal shareholders to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.
  3. Please share your experience in resource mobilisation, and what would be the key considerations in a resource mobilisation strategy for the Human Rights and Social Development Division.

Position Description

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.