Team Leader - Inclusive & Equitable Societies

• 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 Human Rights and Social Development (HRSD) Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies. It aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team in the area of human rights and good governance, and the Social Development Programme in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.

In line with its vision, the work of the Division encompasses the following focal areas:

• Objective 1: Governance for human rights and social development: Strengthen inclusive, transparent and active governance for human rights and social development.
• Objective 2: Gender equality and social inclusion: Mobilise, empower and build conditions for gender equality, equity and social inclusion in society and development.
• Objective 3: Culture: Promote, preserve and protect positive expressions of culture.
• Objective 4: Social innovation and learning: Enhance knowledge, learning and innovative solutions to accelerate impact on human development priorities.

The role – Team Leader - Inclusive and Equitable Societies will lead and provide technical assistance and support to Pacific people to realise the benefits of human rights, youth development and GESI commitments. This role will manage and develop a team and ensure the work programme under objective 2 contributes to a coherent and integrated work programme of the Division.

• Programme delivery and management, including integrated programming, and staff supervision and management
• Strategic planning, policy and programming advice
• Stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination

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 subject area such as human rights, youth development, gender or sociology

Knowledge and experience

• At least 10 years of development experience working in the fields of human rights, youth, or gender equality and social inclusion with at least 8 years working in the Pacific region
• Technical expertise in implementing, youth development, GESI and human rights commitments
• Integrated programming experience, including developing and overseeing programme work plans, and associated donor reporting requirements
• Experience leading a multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural team
• Familiarity with Pacific Island Countries and Territories work on youth development and commitments to human rights and GESI at the national, regional and international levels

Essential skills

• Leadership and management skills
• Mediation and negotiation skills
• Good ethics, including implementation of ‘do no harm’ principles
• Coordination and relationship building skills
• Ability to rapidly assimilate ‘new’ information
• Ability to conduce critical, robust and inclusive assessments of alternative strategies and options

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

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – until 30 June 2024

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 Team Leader - Inclusive and Equitable Societies is a Band 12 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,478‒4,348 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,504–13,130 (USD 4,835–6,043; EUR 4,266–5,333). 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 – 11 July 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. Outline approaches to mobilising, empowering and building conditions for gender equality, equity and social inclusion in Pacific governments and societies.
2. What are 3 key challenges to ensuring more equitable and inclusive societies and development in the Pacific, and what are some ways these challenges can be addressed?
3. What are the approaches and challenges to integrating human rights, gender equality and social inclusion into social development work. Outline strategies that you have implemented to overcome these challenges.