Deputy Director General - Operations and Integration

Nouméa

Organization: SPC - Pacific Community
Location: Nouméa
Grade: Senior level - Senior - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Economics
- Legal - International Law
- Public Policy and Administration
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The organisation has approximately 600 staff.

The Pacific Community and its Secretariat’s shares the vision for our region adopted by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism: Our Pacific vision is for a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy and productive lives.’ Its 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.

The organisation has gained a reputation for providing real solutions to real problems in the Pacific (SPC Strategic Plan 2016‒2020) and strives to maintain professionalism, integrity and pragmatism in delivering its services. The heart of SPC is its integrated work programme, which combines diverse disciplines enabling a multisectoral approach to regional development. The work programme focuses on delivering technical assistance, research, education and training through courses, workshops and seminars to Pacific Island member countries and territories. More information is available from SPC’s Strategic Plan 2016‒2020 and website: www.spc.int

SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. Other offices include the Fiji Regional Office in Suva, Fiji, the Micronesia Regional Office in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia and the Melanesia Regional Office in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

The role

The Deputy Director General - Operations and Integration provides executive-level leadership and management to the Integration and Resource Mobilisation teams, SPC’s Regional Offices, and the Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) across all locations. The role also holds executive responsibility for SPC’s multi-year partnerships with Australia, New Zealand and France, and is the executive focal point for SPC’s francophone members (France, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna), the United States of America and the European Union’s OCT office.

The role is responsible for the development of coordinated Country and Integrated Programming across SPC, supporting the development of cross cutting and integrated programs and projects to meet the needs of the region.

The Deputy Director General - Operations and Integration ensures that the Operations and Management Directorate is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services and enabling operational compliance. The role also leads and manages the governance and legal support to the organisation.

The key result areas for the position are:

Provide executive leadership and management to the Integration and Resource Mobilisation teams, all regional offices and the Operations and Management Directorate in all locations.
Integrated and Country Programming - Lead and contribute to cross-divisional and regional integration efforts to ensure that SPC is well placed to respond to member articulated needs through multisectoral approaches.
Resource mobilisation - Ensure proactive engagement and support for resource mobilisation efforts across SPC, leading to diversified and strengthened donor base.
Represent the Director-General in relations with the Government of New Caledonia and France as hosts of the headquarters.
Represent the Director-General, as required, at high levels in bilateral relationships with members and partners, and regional and international fora, including the French speaking countries and territories.
Lead SPC’s internal legal functions, and internal regulatory and governance framework.
Proactively support the Director-General in leading organisational improvement and change management.
Responsible at executive level for financial management, managing organisational risks and security issues.
Responsible at executive level for workplace health and safety.
Collaborate to achieve a united organisational culture of compliance with operational policies and legal requirements

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

Post Graduate qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Science, economics, law, development studies, business, public administration, organisational development).

Knowledge / Experience

Excellent leadership and management skills, including demonstrated general management, people management and financial management skills.
Extensive experience at an executive or senior management level that includes at least 10 years working at an international level.
Very strong analytical and conceptual skills.
Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
Demonstrated ability to implement organisational change in a complex environment.
Familiarity with donor agencies and their requirements and demonstrated resource mobilisation skills.
Ability to work well in a multi-cultural and gender-sensitive environment.

Key Behaviours

Change and Innovation
Interpersonal Skills
Teamwork
Promotion of Equity and Equality
Judgement
Building Individual Capacity
Dedicated effort and commitment to the role and organisation

Personal Attributes

Ability to think strategically
Ability to operate in a political environment
Ability to analyse situations and make sound decisions even when information is imperfect
Ability to handle conflicts between staff
Diplomatic skills and tact
Respect for SPC corporate values
Resilience
High level of professional integrity and ethics
Demonstrated high level commitment to customer service

Language skills

For English speakers, a good working knowledge of French, or for French speakers, a good working knowledge of English.

Salary, terms and conditions

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

Remuneration – The Deputy Director General – Operations and Integration is a Band 17 position in SPC’s 2020 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 9,365 – 11,610 (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 1,379,165 - 1,709,781 (USD 12,924 – 16,022; EUR 11,557 – 14,328). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia - SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. 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 matching 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 bilinguism, 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.

Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.

Application procedure

Closing date: 4th October 2020 @ 11:00 pm Nouméa Time

Job Reference: AL000331

All 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:

a detailed curriculum vitae with contact details for three professional referees (including telephone and email contacts);
a cover letter detailing your qualifications, experience and explaining how these meet the specific requirements of the position;
response to the screening question with a maximum of 2.000 characters.

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

All positions at SPC have specific screening question(s). If you do not respond to the screening question(s), your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Testimonials may be provided with the application but are not necessary and will not be considered a substitute for confidential referees’ reports, which will be sought directly by SPC.

Screening question: (with a maximum of 2.000 characters)