Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Policy Specialist

• Noumea-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

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 Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). CFP’s goal is to ensure that inshore fisheries, nearshore fisheries and aquaculture in Pacific Island countries and territories are managed and developed sustainably. The programme assists governments and administrations to develop scientifically informed and socially achievable coastal fisheries management policies and systems (national and community-based). It provides a regional framework for sustainable aquaculture, including planning, research and development, and trade, for Pacific Island governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. It assists in developing sustainable nearshore fisheries in Pacific Island countries and territories to provide food security, sustain livelihoods, promote economic growth and assist climate change adaptation.

The role – the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Policy Specialist will provide technical support, management and policy advice to government Fisheries Departments (national and sub-national), in coastal fisheries and aquaculture and work within government processes, including stakeholder input, to develop or update national and sub-national coastal fisheries and aquaculture management plans and policies in collaboration, where appropriate, with other CROP and partner agencies.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Assisting national and sub-national governments and administrations to develop, review or update coastal fisheries and/or aquaculture management arrangements

• Reviewing existing national and sub-national coastal fisheries and/or aquaculture management plans in line with other national legislation or policies that covers coastal fisheries or aquaculture issues.
• Working with fisheries department staff to develop specific management plans and arrangements for species and/or areas.
• Liaising with NZ-MPI, NGOs, CROP agencies and other stakeholders where appropriate to develop management plans.
• Undertake stakeholder consultations or provide input to the development of national or sub-national fishery management plans.
• Working through national legal authorities where needed for drafting management plans.
• Ensuring an assessment of gender and human rights issues are undertaken to ensure no bias or barriers exist in any new or revised management plans.
• Providing training to local staff in the process for reviewing, updating drafting, consultation, and implementation of fishery management plans.

2. Assisting national governments and administrations to develop, review or update fisheries policies including coastal fisheries and aquaculture

• Reviewing, revising, updating or developing fisheries policies that include coastal fisheries and aquaculture.
• Liaising with CROP agencies and partners where appropriate to provide linkages to oceanic fisheries in fisheries policies.
• Working through national processes for the drafting of fisheries policies and the support of national counterparts.
• Undertaking stakeholder consultations to provide input to the development of fisheries policies.
• Providing training to local staff in the process for reviewing, updating, drafting, consultation and implementation of fisheries policies.

3. Collaboration with other work areas within and across SPC sections, programmes and divisions, and other regional organisations

• Liaising and working with the Monitoring, Control, Surveillance & Enforcement (MCS&E) Specialist, Legal Adviser, Coastal Fisheries Science and Livelihoods units and other section staff to integrate the work of these different areas into fisheries policies.
• Liaising and coordinating with the Aquaculture section on incorporation of aquaculture in fisheries policies.
• Liaising with other sections and divisions at SPC in relation to the development of fisheries policies.
• Undertaking joint planning meetings with CROP agencies and key partners to coordinate activities and strengthen collaborations.
• Liaising and collaborating with other partners, such as FAO, WorldFish, University of Wollongong, Locally Managed Marine Area Network and NGOs.

4. Section administration and communication

• Assisting the Adviser to develop annual work plans and reports for the Section, consistent with the FAME Business Plan.
• Adhere to all corporate and administrative procedures for all activities undertaken.
• Contributing, where applicable, to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications, such as Fisheries Newsletters, annual reports, and Divisional report for CRGA.
• Contribute to funding proposals and assist compile project briefs and progress reports.
• Producing reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity.
• Supervise and support the Pacific Island Fisheries Professionals, Community Based Fisheries Management Officers, and national staff on short term attachments to SPC Noumea for training in developing policies and plans.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in fisheries management, policy development or an equivalent discipline.
• Lower academic qualification plus extensive experience can be considered in lieu of postgraduate degree.

2. Technical expertise

• At least 7-8 years of direct relevant experience in reviewing, revising, drafting, consulting, implementing and advising on fisheries policies and/or management plans, preferably in the Pacific region.
• Demonstrated capability for collaborating and working in an integrated programme involving colleagues from several different countries, cultures and academic backgrounds.
• Understanding of current Pacific Islands regional coastal fisheries administrations, management and science issues, and experience of working with gender issues relating to fisheries.
• Proven ability to facilitate stakeholder consultations to reach a workable solution.
• Experience with training and mentoring counterparts and supervising attachments and junior staff.
• Experience working with PC systems and MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software, and any specialised legal software.
• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries and territories, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.

3. Language skills

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English, with the capacity to engage effectively with scientific, government, public and community audiences.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated understanding of developing country environments.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

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

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.

Remuneration – the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Policy Specialist is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,113–5,045 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 602,042–738,463 (USD 5,717–7,012; EUR 5,045–6,188). 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 faire, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 21 March 2021 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time.

Job Reference: AL000374

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 with 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.

All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

Describe your experience in:

1. Developing fisheries and aquaculture policies and management plans, preferably in the Pacific, and the approach you used in undertaking this work.
2. Undertaking consultation, communicating, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to provide accurate and relevant policy and management plan information, training, and services.
3. Managing people and projects effectively to meet deadlines through goal setting, resource allocation, risk management and performance evaluation.