JOB DESCRIPTION
| Job Title: | Deputy Director – Marine Ecology and Ecosystems Programme |
|---|---|
| Division/Programme: | Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME), Marine Ecology and Ecosystems Programme (MEEP) |
| Location: | Noumea, New Caledonia or Suva, Fiji |
| Reporting to: | Director SPC FAME |
| Number of Direct Reports: | 4 direct reports with 35-40 indirect reports |
| Purpose of Role: | To provide SPC with strategic direction, leadership, management and technical oversight of the Marine Ecology and Ecosystems Programme through the three Section Heads – covering climate science and the impacts of climate on oceanic and coastal fisheries, ecosystem ecology, and ecosystem-based management – to ensure the annual work plans for the programme are in line with the SPC FAME Business Plan and SPC Strategic Plan, are fully implemented within budget, adhere to all SPC policies and procedures, and address the needs and priorities of the Members. The position will have a senior role in the implementation of existing (e.g. GCF-RTP) and the design and mobilisation of future projects that integrate across SPC FAME’s work programmes. This will include management and oversight of SPC FAME’s collections and research facilities that are essential for the implementation of the GCF-RTP. The position will design and establish a third work programme (Marine Ecology and Ecosystems Programme) within SPC FAME that complements existing activities to ensure SPC FAME meets new and emerging member needs for sustainable fisheries and biodiversity management in the face of climate change. This position will contribute to ensuring that SPC provide the highest quality, independent scientific information and advice on the region’s marine ecosystems to SPC members, and other regional and sub-regional agencies. The Deputy Director is a member of SPC FAME’s Senior Management Team and will work across capability on leadership, integration initiatives, and the four flagships, Gender, Climate Change, Food Systems and Oceans. |
| Date: | July 2026 |
Organizational Context and Organization Chart
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. We work for the well-being of Pacific people through the effective and innovative application of science and knowledge, guided by a deep understanding of Pacific Island contexts and cultures (https://www.spc.int/).
SPC's Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) capability has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 65 years. The goal of SPC FAME is that the fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. In pursuit of this goal, SPC FAME provides scientific and management advice to Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and regional agencies to support the management of sustainable oceanic fisheries, coastal fisheries, marine ecosystems and aquaculture development. Along with addressing the challenges in the management of the region's marine resources, there are also significant opportunities to derive greater economic and social benefits from them. Deriving greater benefits from the tuna fisheries, the development of aquaculture in the region, along with alternative livelihoods in coastal fisheries, hold significant potential. SPC FAME provides technical assistance to support PICTs to maximise these sustainable development opportunities in the marine sector and in some parts of the freshwater sector.
SPC FAME is composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecology and Ecosystems Programme (MEEP). The Director's Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the 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 and aquaculture sectors. SPC FAME staff are based in New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga, with most of the staff being based in New Caledonia.
The SPC FAME MEEP has been established to meet the evolving and emerging needs of SPC members with a focus on ecosystems-based management of marine resources to build resilience to the impacts of climate change and other existential threats. This work will complement SPC FAME's other two technical programmes by providing science and technical support that enhance integrated ecosystem-based management of marine resources.
The inaugural Deputy Director (MEEP) will lead design and establishment of this new programme and provide leadership strategic direction, and coordination of its work. This includes overseeing the key research facilities of SPC FAME, the design and acquisition of regional critical strategic science assets essential to building resilience to the impacts of climate change and other existential threats. This includes the key role of leading on implementation of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Programme project "Adapting Tuna-dependent Pacific Island Communities and Economies to Climate Change" (referred to as the GCF Regional Tuna Programme (GCF-RTP)).
SPC is the sole Executing Entity of this grant to Conservation International (CI). The GCF-RTP was developed by 14 GCF eligible Pacific Island countries and approved by the GCF Board in February 2025 with CI as the Accredited Entity. The GCF-RTP has a total budget of USD156.8 million, with ~107.4m provided by the GCF and with an additional ~USD49.4m provided by in-kind contributions and is implemented over a 7-year period.
The Deputy Director (MEEP) is a key position in SPC FAME, providing strategic direction, leadership, programme management, technical oversight, resource mobilisation and donor engagement for the Marine Ecology and Ecosystems Programme, as well as supporting the SPC FAME Director with strengthening engagement and collaboration with Members, other CROP agencies and partners in support SPC FAME's goals and priorities.
Key Result Areas (KRAs):
The position of Deputy Director – Marine Ecology and Marine Ecosystems Programme encompasses the following major functions or Key Result Areas:
- Leadership, management, reporting and technical oversight of MEEP (25%)
- Resource mobilisation, budgeting, finances and donor liaison (20%)
- Technical oversight and science thought leadership of MEEP (30%)
- Promote inter-agency networking, cross-sectoral collaboration and strengthen engagement and collaboration with members and partners in marine ecology and marine ecosystems (15%), and
- Science communication and outreach of MEEP work (10%).
The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below:
| Jobholder is accountable for | Jobholder is successful when |
|---|---|
| KRA#1: Leadership, management, reporting and technical oversight of MEEP (25%): - Coordinates with SPC FAME team leaders, managers and direct reports, input from members and others for strategic planning, annual work plans and work plan reports that are consistent with the SPC FAME Business Plan and SPC Strategic Plan. - Participates and coordinates, GCF-RTP Ecosystem-based Management & SPC-FAME | - Strategic planning and annual work plans address and meets the needs of SPC members and other programme clients. Annual work plans and work plan reports for the Programme are produced on schedule - Annual activity-level budgets are produced by due dates and provided to responsible officers to assist in annual work planning. |
| collections and research facility inputs to joint country missions and strategies, including the costing of activities and the reporting back to countries. - Authorizes travel and procurement of goods and services for direct and indirect reports within the delegated authorization limits and in line with SPC's policies and procedures. - Oversees and/or takes lead on donor reporting for projects with assistance from the PMEL team to meet donor requirements and timelines. - Oversees and participates in the recruitment of new staff. - Oversees staff performance planning and management system for direct and indirect reports. - Creates a positive work environment, promotes collaboration within the team and across functions and other divisions in the organization. - Supports the health, safety and well-being of employees in the way they lead and manage and monitor the team. | - Programme activities are implemented according to annual work plans and budgets and key indicators are achieved. - All travel and procurement is completed in a timely manner and in line with SPC policies and procedures. - All donor reports are provided on time, meet the donor's requirements and are accepted by the donor. - New staff with appropriate skills and experience are recruited as necessary. - Staff appraisals and performance planning for direct and indirect reports are completed on schedule. - Staff engagement surveys show high levels of purpose and engagement - Staff contract renewals are timely and reflect robust workforce planning. - Robust transfer of institutional knowledge is demonstrably occurring, and a clear succession plan is in place for key senior technical experts. - SPC staff performance development system timelines and quality standards are met. - Staff have equitable and high performance oriented professional development opportunities |
|---|---|
| KRA#2: Resource mobilisation, budgeting, finances and donor liaison (20%): - Coordinates the development of significant projects to help deliver outcomes in line with the SPC FAME Business Plan, SPC Strategic Plan and member requests. - Assist the Division Director and/or take the lead in developing larger multi-agency funding proposals. - Assists the Division Director plan MEEP funding allocations from the annual core, programme and project budgets for the Division and specifically to the GCF-RTP Ecosystem-based Management & SPC-FAME collections and research facility including cost recovery of staff time. - Ensures adequate funding is available for the implementation of the GCF-RTP Ecosystem-based Management & SPC-FAME collections and research facility annual work plan. - Ensures that financial and activity reporting is carried out according to agreements. - Oversees the expenditure of core, programme and large project funding by the GCF-RTP Ecosystem-based Management & SPC-FAME | - Funding resources are sufficient to achieve SPC FAME Business Plan objectives and results. - Donor reports are produced on time. - Donors are satisfied that funding are being used efficiently and effectively. - Project cash flow is maintained. - Project reviews and evaluations reflect positively on SPC FAME in terms of achievement, effectiveness and efficiency. All financial activities are fully documented and acquitted, and budgets are not overspent. - All SPC policies and procedures are fully adhered to. - All budget estimates and narratives for core, programme, and project are provided in the appropriate format and timeline. - Project and programme execution rates are high and in accordance with the annual budget. |
| collections and research facility to ensure high levels of planned execution and no overspending. - Facilitates external monitoring and evaluation of projects as required by donor agencies. | |
|---|---|
| KRA#3: Technical oversight and science thought leadership of MEEP (30%) - Participates in one or more of the technical work areas of the Programme, according to skills and experience. - Provides technical support and coordination for marine science across FAME. - Ensures that scientific methods applied are technically sound and apply international best-practice. - Contributes and provides oversight to the preparation of peer-reviewed scientific and technical publications. - Mentors SPC FAME division staff to improve their skills in marine sciences. | - SPC FAME is recognized for its science quality and capability. - SPC FAME fosters professional development. - Technical work is published in the peer-reviewed literature or other appropriate form. - SPC FAME has capacity to provide technical assistance to adapt to climate and climate change and other emerging marine ecosystem science issues. |
| KRA#4: Promote inter-agency networking, cross-sectoral collaboration and strengthen engagement and collaboration with members and partners in marine ecology and marine ecosystems (15%) - Maintains awareness with SPC member country needs in marine sciences, and participates in or contributes to the development of national-level strategies and work plans. - Leads discussions with FFA, PNA Office, OPOC, SPREP, USP and any other relevant sub-regional groups on planning of scientific support for the respective work programmes of these organisations. - Leads discussions with WCPFC on contracted scientific support in the areas of climate change, ecosystem based management and biodiversity. - Establishes relationships with other clients as needed and as appropriate. - Collaborate with the DD-OFP and DD-CFAP on cross-cutting science projects and activities between CFAP, MEEP and OFP. | - Work plans are responsive to member needs. - Agreement is reached with FFA, PNAO and other relevant sub-regional groups on annual work plans and priorities that are achievable and consistent with available human and financial resources. - Agreement is reached with WCPFC on an annual work plan, with budgetary support that minimizes impacts on service delivery to other clients. - Agreements, including funding support, are reached with other potential clients, as appropriate. - MSWG meetings run smoothly and SPC FAME input provided. - Science projects implemented jointly by CFAP, MEEP and OFP. |
| KRA#5: Science communication and outreach (15%) - Oversees the communication of GCF-RTP, Ecosystem-based Management & SPC FAME collections and research facility work internally across SPC and externally to clients, the scientific community and the general public. | - SPC FAME continues to be seen as the region's key provider of high quality, independent scientific advice on the region's tuna fisheries. |
- Contributes and coordinates inputs to Divisional and Corporate publications, such as the Fisheries Newsletter, SPC results reports, reports for CRGA and 2050 Implementation Plan reports
- Enhances the impact of the scientific work of FAME through media outreach, and presentations at regional and international fora.
Contributes and provides oversight to the preparation of peer-reviewed scientific and technical publications.
Information on the work of the SPC FAME is disseminated via the website, scientific publications, media publications, presentations and other appropriate communications.
Inputs to SPC publications are provided in a timely fashion.
Technical work is published in peer-reviewed literature or in other appropriate forms.
The above performance requirements are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this job will need further discussion between the jobholder and supervisor as part of the performance development process. Many of the outputs described here will only be achieved through teamwork. The incumbent will not be solely responsible for achieving them.
Most Challenging Duties Typically Undertaken (Complexity):
- Managing the diverse work programme of the GCF-RTP Ecosystem-based Management & SPC FAME collections and research facility including high demands for ad-hoc support from SPC members and other clients in resource-limited situations.
- Providing scientific advice that responds to complex and often politically-sensitive questions regarding ecosystem impacts of and on regional fisheries.
- Ensuring adequate funding resources for the core business of the GCF-RTP Ecosystem-based Management & SPC-FAME collections and research facility in an environment of increasing project donor fatigue and competing SPC multi-sectoral priorities.
- Initiating major resource mobilization initiatives with partners to ensure there are pipeline projects coming on line as existing projects come to an end.
- Producing the annual budget estimates and narratives for the GCF-RTP Ecosystem-based Management & SPC-FAME collections and research facility including cost recovery of staff time and any reductions in core funding, so that a balanced budget is provided.
- Ensuring high rates of execution and no overspending of core, programme and project budgets within the GCF-RTP Ecosystem-based Management & SPC-FAME collections and research facility and that all budget estimates and financial reports are completed to the deadlines set using the appropriate templates for each donor.
- Balancing an increasing administrative workload with the core functions of the position, the management of staff and projects.
Functional Relationships & Relationship Skills:
| Key internal and/or external contacts | Nature of the contact most typical |
|---|---|
| External - SPC Member fishery departments - Secretariat of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission - Secretariat of the Forum Fisheries Agency - PNA Office - OPOC, SPREP and PIFS | - Requests for assistance in providing a sound scientific basis for development of ecosystem based and climate change management responses - Liaising with senior officers in regards to work planning and funding issues and ad hoc advice |
| - Other Tuna Regional Fishery Management Organizations - Industry organizations - Key global and regional Non-Government Organisations - Academic and national fisheries research institutions | - Development of work plans and joint projects - Planning and implementing collaborative research, participation in global tuna science issues - Providing ad hoc advice, exploring collaborative partnerships, seeking support for research initiatives |
|---|---|
| Internal - Director FAME, DD-OFP, DD-CFAP - Executive - Senior Leadership Team and SPC Flagship Leads - Regional Offices - FAME Division - MEEP Section Heads and staff - Operations & Integration support services (Finance, Procurement, Grants, Travel, HR, Publications, Translation and Interpretation) | - Advice on Division/Programme management issues - Planning and implementing the MEEP work programme - Implementation of MEEP work programme in-country - Staff recruitment, contract issues, ICT support requests - Resource mobilization opportunities - Liaising, collaborating, assisting, advising, gaining cooperation - Leading, supervising, advising, coaching, monitoring, resolving minor conflicts |
Level of Delegation:
Routine Expenditure Budget: EUR 10,000,000
Budget Sign off Authority without requiring approval from direct supervisor: EUR 45,000
Personal Specification:
This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level. (This does not necessarily reflect what the current position holder has.) This may be a combination of knowledge / experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies.
Qualifications
| Essential: | Desirable: |
|---|---|
| - Postgraduate (Master's) degree in marine science or a related discipline, or an equivalent body of knowledge and experience. | - PhD degree in marine science or related discipline. - Training in project and people management; and project evaluation methodologies. |
Knowledge/Experience
| Essential: | Desirable: |
|---|---|
| - At least 15 years of relevant technical experience in one or more of the following: climate change, ecosystem-based fisheries science; fisheries monitoring; fisheries oceanography, ecology and biology. - At least 10 years of successfully leading multidisciplinary teams of fisheries and marine scientists, database specialists, fishery monitors and support staff, and conducting large field research programmes. - Proven history of successfully managing research assets (e.g. collections, laboratories). - Demonstrable project and financial management skills including resource mobilisation and the development of large and small funding proposals. - Extensive experience in the provision of scientific advice in management of marine ecosystems. - Communication skills in English of a high order, particularly in written and oral presentation of scientific results to diverse audiences. - Interpersonal skills of a high order, including the ability to manage scientific and support staff in a team environment and to manage relationships critical for collaborative research projects. - Able to translate broad Divisional direction into detailed activities. - Experience with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. | - High-level skills in quantitative analysis. - Knowledge and experience of western and central Pacific fisheries and their management. - Experience in the development and delivery of capacity building in developing countries. - Knowledge in fisheries stock assessment and data management. - Working knowledge of French or another language of an SPC member country or territory. - Willingness to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries. |
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Key Skills/Attributes/Job Specific Competencies
The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level:
| Expert level | - Provision of scientific advice for fisheries management - Marine ecosystem and ecology issues in fisheries - Understanding of Pacific fisheries and their management |
|---|---|
| Advanced level | - Communication skills - Programme management, including financial management - Climate and Climate Change Science - Ecosystem based approaches to fisheries and aquaculture |
| Working knowledge | - Fisheries economics - Cross-cutting issues such as food systems, food security, climate change and human rights, gender, disability and social inclusion - SPC staff regulations, policies and procedures |
| Awareness | - Relevant social, economic and political issues in the Pacific islands' region |
Key Behaviours
All employees are measured against the following Key Behaviours as part of Performance Development:
- Change and Innovation
- Interpersonal Skills
- Judgement
- Promotion of Equity and Equality
- Teamwork
Personal Attributes
- High level of professional integrity and ethics
- Friendly demeanor
- Demonstrated high level commitment to customer service
Change to Job Description:
From time to time it may be necessary to consider changes in the job description in response to the changing nature of the work environment – including technological requirements or statutory changes. Such change may be initiated as necessary by SPC. This Job Description may also be reviewed as part of the preparation for performance planning for the annual performance cycle.