Programme Leader – Markets for Livelihoods

 

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Programme Leader – Markets for Livelihoods located at its regional office in

Suva, Fiji.

 

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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 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 Land Resources Division (LRD) provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes plant protection, conservation, plant genetic resources, animal health and production, agroforestry, biosecurity and trade facilitation, and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. This work has two objectives: improved food and nutritional security, and resilient communities. The division’s services are provided through seven technical/thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production and Extension; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees.

 

The role – Programme Leader – Markets for Livelihoods assumes overall leadership and management responsibilities for effective and efficient operations and service delivery for an integrated programme that builds resilient farm families and ensures food and nutritional security. This will be done by improving resilience of household livelihoods, diversification of livelihood strategies, improving access to markets, improving availability, access, utilisation and quality of food supplies in rural areas and urban populations in the Pacific Region. This role encompasses management and development responsibilities and implementation of the programme’s work plans, projects, staffing and financial resources.

 

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Leadership and management
• Resource mobilisation
• Policy and advice
• Technical services

 

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

 

Key selection criteria

 

Qualifications

 

• A master’s degree in a relevant field such as marketing, business, sociology or agriculture.

 

Knowledge and experience

 

• At least 10 years of experience in a similar role, including project management and staff supervision experience
• Knowledge in research and implementation of interventions in agricultural supply chains
• Knowledge in extension and understanding of the obstacles facing smallholder farmers and development of agricultural clusters
• Understanding of national and regional issues related to sustainable agricultural production
• Experience in fundraising, proposal preparation and project management

         

Essential skills

 

• Leadership experience, including development and performance management
• Strong coordination and negotiation skills
• Advocacy with demonstrated initiative and ability to think laterally to identify innovative solutions
• Excellent report writing, planning and organising skills
• Research and analysis with in-depth knowledge in at least one of the sectors
• Demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Experience will computational and statistical tools for the management of agricultural information

 

Language skills

 

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage

 

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to motivate inspire and promote teamwork in an interdisciplinary and regional context
• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment

 

Salary, terms and conditions

 

Contract Duration – Three years

 

Remuneration – The Programme Leader – Markets for Livelihoods is a Band 12 position in SPC’s 2019 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,393‒4,242 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,010–12,512 (USD 4,818–6,023; EUR 4,062–5,078). 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 international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,230–2,750 per month. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and 30 days of sick leave per annum, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Equal opportunity – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit; in cases where two short-listed candidates are judged to be of equal rank by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

 

Child protection – SPC is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. SPC’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

 

Police clearance – Successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate.

 

Application procedure

 

Closing Date – 7 January 2020

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
• contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. These documents may be requested at a later stage.

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. The Pacific Community does not support dual spouse employment.

Please ensure that you respond to all the screening questions.  If you do not respond to the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening Questions:

 

1. As the Programme Leader – Markets for Livelihoods, you will be required to operate within a matrix system of projects and programmes. Can you explain how such a system would effectively contribute to sustainable markets for livelihoods advancement within the Pacific region?
2. Please describe two key challenges to developing agriculture value chains and businesses in the Pacific Islands, and suggest some possible solutions or approaches?
3. In your experience, what would be the role of Biosecurity, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards services in developing value chains and export markets?