JOB DESCRIPTION
| Job Title: | Project Implementation Officer – International Trade Centre |
|---|---|
| Division/Programme and Section/Project (if any): | Land Resources Division / Natural Resources Management Programme |
| Location: | Suva, Narere Campus, Fiji |
| Reporting to: | Programme Leader - Natural Resources Management Programme |
| Number of Direct Reports: | 0 |
| Purpose of Role: | The purpose of this role is to support the implementation, coordination and delivery of the International Trade Centre (ITC) funded project EU-ACP Business Friendly: “Supporting value chains through inclusive policies, investment promotion, alliances and access to finance”. The position is responsible for providing technical and operational support to the project, ensuring effective delivery of project outcomes across Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. The role is involved in the project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting, contributes to financial and procurement management, support stakeholder and donor relationships, coordinates national and regional partnerships, and ensures project activities contribute to sustainable and inclusive development of the cocoa, coconut and kava value chains. The position serves as SPC’s primary focal point for project implementation. |
| Date: | September 2026 |
Organizational Context and Organization Chart
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting sustainable development since 1947. It is an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 countries and territories. We work for the well-being of Pacific peoples through the effective and innovative applications of science and knowledge, guided by a deep understanding of the Pacific Island context and cultures. www.spc.int
The core purpose of the Land Resources Division (LRD) is to support member countries with science, innovation and advisory services in agriculture and forestry. The Division drives innovation and evidence-based approaches in PICTs. By leveraging scientific and technical expertise, public goods (such as genetic resources) and regional technical networks, LRD aims to build a more sustainable and resilient future for agriculture and forestry. The Division’s work covers five thematic areas directly linked to SPC’s key focus areas. They are climate change and resilience, regenerative agriculture and forestry, food and nutrition security, healthy ecosystems and institutional effectiveness. All thematic areas are interconnected and aim
to deliver science and innovation in a comprehensive manner, as well as advisory services that contribute to the attainment of the objectives laid out in the Division's business plan 2025 - 2031. (lrd.spc.int/)
The International Trade Centre (ITC) funded project" EU-ACP Business Friendly: Supporting value chains through inclusive policies, investment promotion, alliances and access to finance (Phase 2)" seeks to strengthen inclusive productive and commercial alliances, support investment mobilisation, improve market access and increase productivity and value addition among smallholder farmers and agri-MSMEs operating within the cocoa, coconut and kava value chains in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. The project applies ITC's Alliances for Action (A4A) approach and works closely with governments, private sector actors, farmer organisations, investors, financial institutions and regional agencies.
The position is responsible for supporting the Programme Leader with the day-to-day implementation and delivery of a complex, multi-country, donor-funded project spanning Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, involving multiple value chains (cocoa, coconut and kava) and a broad range of stakeholders including governments, farmer organisations, private sector actors, financial institutions, investors, development partners and regional organisations. The role requires balancing project implementation priorities, competing stakeholder interests, donor requirements and operational realities to achieve project outcomes.
Key Result Areas (KRAs):
KRA 1: Project Implementation, Coordination and Delivery (35%)
KRA 2: Support Stakeholder Partnerships, Alliances and Investment Facilitation (30%)
KRA 3: Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting (20%)
KRA 4: Financial Management, Procurement and Contract Administration (15%)
The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below
| Jobholder is accountable for | Jobholder is successful when |
|---|---|
| KRA #1 Project Implementation, Coordination and Delivery (35%) - Engage with the Programme Leader to support the strategic planning, management and implementation of the project across Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. | - Project objectives and results are achieved. - Workplans are delivered on time and within budget. - Implementation risks and challenges are identified and communicated in a timely manner. |
| - Support the development and oversight of annual workplans, budgets, procurement plans and implementation schedules. - Ensure project activities are aligned with donor agreements, divisional priorities and approved workplans. - Provide implementation and coordination support to project staff, consultants and implementation partners. - Support monitoring progress and performance against project targets and ensure timely corrective actions are taken where required. - Participate in Identifying project risks, issues and dependencies. - Ensure project outputs and outcomes are delivered within agreed timeframes and budgets. - Participate in regional and international meetings, technical discussions and stakeholder engagements. - Provide support and recommendations to SPC management regarding project performance and emerging opportunities. | - Stakeholders and donors remain engaged and informed. - Quality project outputs are delivered and contribute to the achievement of project objectives. |
|---|---|
| KRA#2 Support Stakeholder Partnerships, Alliances and Investment Facilitation (30%) - Provide input to the development and strengthening of public-private value chain alliances. - Participate in the facilitation of partnerships between farmers, MSMEs, exporters, buyers, investors and service providers. - Support implementation of the Alliances for Action methodology across value chains. - Maintain stakeholder databases and partnership records. - Coordinate regional and national stakeholder platforms and dialogue mechanisms. - Participate in the facilitation of business-to-business engagements, trade promotion activities and networking events. - Support development of investment prospectuses, investment pipelines and bankable project concepts. - Work closely to foster collaboration between financial institutions, investors and value chain actors. - Support inclusion of women, youth and smallholder farmers across all project activities | - Stakeholder engagement and partnership activities are effectively coordinated and supported - Farmers, MSMEs and other stakeholders are connected to relevant market and business opportunities. - Partnership and alliance activities are implemented in line with project workplans. - Market linkage and investment-related activities are facilitated and monitored. - Positive working relationships are maintained with stakeholders across participating countries. |
| KRA#3 Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting (20%) - Provide input on project monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting systems. | - Project performance information is accurate and timely. |
| - Ensure implementation of the project MEL framework and workplan. - Monitor progress against project indicators, outputs and outcomes. - Analyse project data and identify trends, risks and opportunities. - Prepare timely technical, narrative and donor reports. - Coordinate reviews, evaluations and audits. - Document lessons learned, best practices and impact stories. - Ensure compliance with donor reporting obligations, divisional and SPC requirements. | - Reporting requirements are consistently met, including performance stories – donor and SPC. - Lessons learned inform project decision-making. - Evaluations and audits are successfully completed. |
|---|---|
| KRA #4 Financial Management, Procurement and Contract Administration (15%) - Support project financial planning, expenditure monitoring and forecasting. - Monitor budget performance and recommend resource allocation adjustments. - Contribute to procurement planning and implementation. - Ensure all procurement and contracting activities comply with SPC and donor requirements. - Manage consultant, contractor and service provider agreements. - Ensure financial and procurement documentation is audit ready. - Work closely with SPC Finance and Procurement teams to maintain compliance. | - Project resources are efficiently managed. - Procurement and contracting processes are compliant and timely. - Financial reporting is accurate. - Audit requirements are met with minimal findings. |
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.
Most Challenging Duties Typically Undertaken (Complexity):
The position must exercise a high degree of project management judgement and initiative to:
- Coordinate project implementation to ensure delivery of project outcomes, outputs, indicators, budgets and timelines across multiple countries and partners.
- Anticipate, identify and mitigate implementation risks and bottlenecks and develop practical solutions to keep the project on track.
- Supporting the management of complex stakeholder relationships and facilitate consensus among partners with differing priorities and interests.
- Coordinate multiple consultants, service providers, contracts, procurement processes and activity schedules simultaneously.
Ensure compliance with SPC, donor, financial, procurement, monitoring and reporting requirements while maintaining efficient project delivery.
Support adaptive management approaches by analysing project performance, identifying emerging opportunities and recommending adjustments to workplans and implementation strategies.
Participate in regional forums, technical discussions and partner engagements, requiring sound judgement, diplomacy and negotiation skills.
The success of the role depends on strong project implementation, planning, coordination and relationship management capabilities to ensure the project remains on track and delivers its intended regional development outcomes within approved timeframes and budgets
Functional Relationships & Relationship Skills:
| Key internal and/or external contacts | Nature of the contact most typical |
|---|---|
| External Key external contacts are: - ITC - European Union - National governments - Investment promotion agencies - Financial institutions - Farmer organisations and cooperatives - Private sector enterprises and exporters - Regional organisations including PIFS - Consultants and technical service providers | - Project Focal point - Project implementation - Strategic partnerships support - Technical collaboration - Stakeholder engagement - Investment facilitation support - Reporting and accountability |
| Internal Key internal contacts are: - Project team - Natural Resources Management Programme - LRD management and technical staff - LRD - Enabling Services - Finance, Procurement, MEL and Communications - SPC O&I - Other SPC technical Divisions with cross cutting thematic areas | - Coordination and implementation - Technical support - Reporting and compliance - Resource mobilization support - Collaboration works |
Level of Delegation:
Routine Expenditure Budget: 0
Budget Sign off Authority without requiring approval from direct supervisor: 0
Personal Specification:
Qualifications
| Essential: | Desirable: |
|---|---|
| - Degree in Project Management, international development, agriculture or equivalent body of knowledge and experience. | - Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field. - Project management certification. - Monitoring and evaluation certification. |
Knowledge/Experience
| Essential: | Desirable: |
|---|---|
| - At least 7-8 years' experience in international development, project or programme management, agricultural development, value chain development or partnership management. - Knowledge of Pacific agricultural value chains. - Demonstrated experience coordinating complex multi-country donor funded projects or programmes. - Strong experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. - Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership development. - Experience managing procurement, contracts and budgets. - Strong analytical, writing and communication skills. - Experience working in multi-cultural environments. | - Experience working with ITC, EU or UN-funded projects or programmes. - Experience in investment promotion, agribusiness development or market systems development. - Knowledge of cocoa, coconut or kava sectors. |
Key Skills/Attributes/Job Specific Competencies
The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level:
| Expert level | - Project coordination - Stakeholder engagement and partnership development - Excellent communication and report writing - Problem solving and decision making - Representation and facilitation skills |
|---|---|
| Advanced level | - Results-based management - Monitoring, evaluation and learning - Financial and procurement management - Investment and market linkage facilitation - Risk management |
| Working knowledge | - SPC corporate systems and processes - Gender equality and social inclusion - Agricultural value chain development - Data analysis and reporting systems |
|---|---|
| Awareness | - Pacific regional context - Donor compliance requirements - Development effectiveness principles - Climate resilience and sustainability approaches |
Key Behaviours
All employees are measured against the following *Key Behaviours** as part of Performance Development:*
- Change and Innovation
- Interpersonal Skills
- Teamwork
- Promotion of Equity and Equality
- Judgement
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.