JOB DESCRIPTION
| Job Title: | Software Developer |
|---|---|
| Work Unit: | Fisheries Aquaculture & Marine Ecosystems Division (FAME)/ Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) |
| Location: | Noumea |
| Reporting to: | Systems Development Manager |
| Number of Direct Reports: | 0 |
| Purpose of Role: | The position exists to: - Design, develop, maintain, and support Full-stack^{1} fisheries information and database management systems for both SPC and WCPFC member countries - Develop, maintain, and enhance OFP mobile applications - Develop and maintain data integration and workflow infrastructure to support fisheries and climate science programmes - Provide technical support and training to National Fisheries staff and SPC personnel on system functionality, data workflows, and data management processes - Contribute to the design and implementation of new technologies and data collection tools that support emerging fisheries research and climate change initiativesThis role will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining data-driven systems that support scientific data collection initiatives, fisheries research and management, and climate change monitoring. Reporting to the Systems Development Manager and working closely with the Senior Analyst Developer, the role will involve collaborating with scientists, fisheries specialists, and data managers to deliver robust solutions that enhance the usage of fisheries, environmental, and climate data for scientific analysis and stock assessment. |
| Date: | September 2026 |
A full-stack web developer is a person who can develop both client and server software. In addition to mastering HTML and CSS, he/she also knows how to:
- Program a browser (like using JavaScript, React, Angular, or Vue)
- Program a server (like using ASP.NET, Python, or NodeJS)
- Program a database (like using SQL, SQLite, or DuckDB)
Organisation Context and Organisation Chart:
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organization in the Pacific region, supporting impactful development since 1947. We are an international development organization owned and governed by our 27 countries and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organization works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, human rights and social policy development, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. SPC shares the vision for our region as endorsed in SPC’s Strategic Plan 2022-2031. SPC’s mission is to work for the well-being of Pacific people through the effective and innovative application of science and knowledge, guided by a deep understanding of the Pacific Islands’ contexts and cultures.
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 Ecosystems Programme (MEP). The Director’s Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the three programmes and cross-cutting projects. Working with all 27 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 OFP is developing several cutting-edge web-based systems and mobile device tools to acquire and disseminate data from Pacific tuna fisheries. These systems enable the collection and integration of fisheries and climate-related data acquired from various systems and users ranging from vessel-mounted electronics to fisher-reported logbook data, offloading events and port-side data collection, and echosounder data from drifting fish aggregating devices, for example. The resulting data contribute to the scientific evidence base used to assess tuna stocks, understand the impacts of climate variability and climate change on tuna fisheries and ecosystems, and inform sustainable fisheries management across the Pacific region.
The Senior Analyst Developer will design, develop, maintain, and support full-stack fisheries information systems, mobile applications, and data integration infrastructure.
Key Result Areas:
The position of Software Developer encompasses the following major functions or Key Result Areas:
- Deliver and maintain reliable database systems and reporting systems that support fisheries management and scientific programmes
- Enable the efficient collection, integration, processing, and management of fisheries, environmental, and climate-related data
- Provide technical expertise and support to internal and external stakeholders
The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below:
| Jobholder is accountable for | Jobholder is successful when |
|---|---|
| 1. Information systems and application development (50%) - Develop and maintain fisheries database management systems, in particular, the Tufman2 tuna fisheries database management system - Develop and maintain mobile applications used to collect tuna fisheries and environmental data to support fisheries and climate-related research - New functionality is delivered in response to business, scientific, and operational requirements - Systems remain secure, reliable, and fit for purpose | - Fishery and climate database systems (e.g., Tufman2, mobile applications, MD2, VMS Pipe, FAD monitoring, etc.) issues and features have been developed in an efficient and timely manner and satisfy the requirements of member countries, including their obligation as members of the WCPFC - Production issues and incidents resolved within agreed targets - Technical documentation, user guides, and system specifications maintained and current - Systems are developed in accordance with established coding, testing, security, and deployment standards |
| 2. Data management and scientific data collection (30%) - Design, develop, document and maintain the regional tuna fisheries database systems for the registration, entry, importing and querying of data - Data integration, validation, and workflow processes are maintained and improved - Dissemination of OFP data and data summaries in accordance with the OFP policy on the dissemination of data, as requested - Technology solutions support emerging fisheries and climate science initiatives | - Data collection systems have been designed and developed in an efficient and timely manner to support assessment and monitoring of fish stocks under variable climate scenarios - Data processing and integration workflows are maintained on a regular basis and kept fully functional - Documentation of the structure and administrative procedures of the regional tuna fisheries database systems are updated to reflect new systems and changes to existing systems - Scientific and operational datasets are accessible to authorised users and available when required - New data sources and technologies are successfully integrated into existing systems as programme needs evolve |
| 3. WCPFC and SPC members support and collaboration (20%) - Technical support is provided to SPC staff, member countries, and regional partners - Train and support national staff in the use of fisheries database management systems and mobile applications - Strong working relationships are maintained with fisheries agencies, scientists, FFA, PNAO, WCPFC, and other stakeholders | - Positive feedback received from SPC staff, member countries, and programme partners regarding system support and usability. - Contributions have been made to regional data training workshops, when held - Countries have appropriate support to any of their requests regarding applications or database systems - Stakeholder requirements accurately translated into system enhancements and technical solutions - User support requests addressed within agreed targets |
The above performance standards are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this position will need further discussion between the jobholder and supervisor as part of the performance development process.
Most Challenging Duties Typically Undertaken (Complexity)
- Developing and maintaining modules of state-of-the-art database management systems
- Following technical specifications and delivering quality code
- Resolving complex IT issues with people who have no IT background
Functional Relationships & Relationship Skills:
| Key internal and/or external contacts | Nature of the contact most typical |
|---|---|
| External: - National Tuna Data Coordinators, Pacific Island Countries - FFA and WCPFC IT staff - Scientists external to SPC - Fishing industry | - Training, provision of advice and support for the national tuna fishery database systems - Liaison for the update of the WCPFC web site - Response to ad hoc requests for data and data summaries |
| Internal: - OFP Section - Fisheries Monitoring Supervisor - Data Control Technicians - Other FAME Sections staff | - Performance appraisal, work planning, delegation of ad hoc requests for data and data summaries - Work planning, collaboration on the design and development of database management systems - Software development and maintenance - Collaboration on the design of database modules and requests for data and data summaries |
Level of Delegation:
Routine Expenditure Budget: EUR 0.
Budget Sign off Authority without requiring approval from direct supervisor: EUR 0.
Person 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: |
|---|---|
| - Specialized degree in IT, computing, science, or mathematics or equivalent body of knowledge and experience. | - Qualification in implementing web-based solutions |
Knowledge / Experience
| Essential: | Desirable: |
|---|---|
| - At least 4 years' experience as software developer in web application and data workflow developments, using languages such as C#, JavaScript and Python - At least 4 years' experience administrating SQL databases - At least 4 years' experience with Git and CI/CD - Demonstrated experience in the design and development of mobile device applications - Experience as an Analyst, working with the client to get their information system requirements - Good communication skills - Ability to work and travel in a multicultural and multilingual environment | - Knowledge of tuna fisheries and experience with tuna fisheries database systems - Experience in managing data workflows with a data-oriented language - Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Experience with cloud computing and containerized environments - If anglophone, a working knowledge of French. If francophone, a working knowledge of English. |
Key Skills /Attributes / Job Specific Competencies
The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level:
| Expert level | - Asp.Net / C# (including ORM and DI) - Javascript frameworks (Angular) - Mobile application/user interface development using Ionic framework - Git - Database (MS SQL SERVER) |
|---|---|
| Advanced level | - Data Management principles - CI/CD best practices - Python |
| Working Knowledge | - GIS techniques - Cloud computing - Containerized environments |
| Awareness | - Principles of fisheries management - Tuna fisheries data collection methods - R language |
Key Behaviours
All employees are measured against the following *Key Behaviours** as part of Performance Development:*
- Ability to make decisions independently
- Responsibility for key function of the OFP
- Showing personal accountability
- Demonstrating technical expertise
- Responding quickly and efficiently to problems
- Showing commitment
Personal Attributes
- SPC strongly advocates equal opportunity
- Ability to work effectively within a team
- Patience and ability to keep focused on the job
- Effective communicator
- High motivation
- Resilience
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 our work environment – including technological requirements or statutory changes. Such change may be initiated as necessary by the Director Corporate Services. This Job Description may be reviewed as part of the preparation for performance planning for the annual performance cycle.