Regional Safety Navigation Adviser

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the Pacific 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 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The other two focus areas within this division are Programming and Operations, which is responsible for driving integrated programming excellence and operational support across the division, and Geoinformatics, which is responsible for providing diverse, integrated, and unique and demand-driven information and spatial data services across SPC work programmes, projects and countries.

The role – Regional Safety Navigation Adviser is responsible for supporting Pacific Island countries and territories in an increasingly internationally regulated maritime sector by providing technical advice on safety of navigation through the provision of technical expertise, assistance and capacity development of PICTs Governments. This role will work with PICTs to establish and operate safety of navigation services in accordance with the international requirements, recommendations and guidelines.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Project management and implementation
• People management
• Technical and legal advice on safety of navigation
• Awareness, capacity development and compliance

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s university degree in shipping or maritime law, Master or Chief Engineer Officer on seagoing ships (3,000 tonnage / 3,000 kW or more), or equivalent post-graduate studies or experience in a related field
• Project management qualification

Knowledge and experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the field of shipping and safety of navigation, or related field
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in project management in technical organisations, desirably in the Pacific region
• Training experience at a recognised higher education establishment        

Essential skills

• Technical/legal expertise and lecture ability for safety of navigation systems management and operation
• Project management skills
• Ability to use data and information management systems
• Ability to work as part of a team or independently, under limited direction with strong commitment, personal drive and initiative

Language skills  

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

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment
• Ability to be responsive to Small Islands Developing States’ needs, partners and donors

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – until 31 January 2022 – possibility of extension based on funding and performance 

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 Regional Safety Navigation Adviser is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,015‒3,769 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,107–11,383 (USD 4,191–5,239; EUR 3,699–4,624). 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 1,350–3,000 per month. 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 bilingualism, 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.

Application procedure

Closing Date – 23 May 2021 at 11:45pm Fiji time

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. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to the Fijian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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. Please describe in detail the breadth of your experience with AtoNs.
2. How many IALA Maritime Buoyage Systems are being used in the world, and which ones are commonly used by the Pacific Island countries?
3. Briefly describe how you have helped to improve safety of navigation in a country or region. What was your role and what was the outcome?