Programme Manager - Pacific Fisheries Leadership Programme

• 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 is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role – the Programme Manager – Pacific Fisheries Leadership Programme (PFLP) will be responsible for the day-to-day management and much of the strategic management of PFLP, including the implementation of all the key elements, liaising with the PFLP Consortium (led by SPC and including FFA, University of Queensland (UQ) and the Centre for Leadership and Adaptation (CLA)) all stakeholders, and regular engagement with all participants. This position will work closely with the PFLP Team Leader, who will provide Strategic and Faculty oversight of the PFLP.  The PFLP Team Leader’s focus will be predominantly on specialised technical leadership, faculty coordination, and high level collaboration between the PFLP consortium partners. The Team Leader will be based in Australia and work part-time on the programme.  The Programme Manager is expected to take on further strategic and management responsibilities of the programme and will be supported to do this as soon as this is appropriate after commencement in the role.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Provide practical day-to-day management of the full range of activities, components, logistics and stakeholders of the Programme (PFLP)

• Support the PFLP Team Leader to coordinate the programme.
• Establish and maintain internal protocols on information and document management, risk management, training and development and other consortium and team management processes.
• Liaise with and build strong working relationships with administrative support areas in SPC.
• Plan logistics for all workshops and events from start to finish, according to requirements, objectives and intended impact on the target audience.
• Coordinate all aspects of meetings and workshops.
• Ensure the smooth running of the PFLP consortium including meetings, ordering office stationery and other equipment.

2. Take responsibility for the strategic management processes of the programme including the adaptive management approach, developing new leadership related offerings and engaging with the Steering Committee and the donor partner (New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

• Oversee the evolution of the adaptive management approach to PFLP including learning from other programmes from within SPC and from the wider development practitioners.
• Liaise with the PFLP Team leader, the PFLP Consortium and MFAT, coordinate the development and delivery new leadership initiatives and pilots relevant to Pacific fisheries such as the Long Line pilot jointly proposed by MFAT and FFA.
• Lead the development of the schedule, agenda and utility of PFLP Steering Committee meetings and regular PFLP MFAT working meetings.
• Take responsibility for the strategic management process and direction of PFLP for the time of the current phase and developing a strategic proposal for MFAT for a subsequent phase.

3. Represent and promote the Programme and liaise effectively and closely with all stakeholders of the programme to build trust and confidence including regular engagement with participants, fisheries agencies, hosting organisations, training venues, consortium members and the donor-partner (NZ MFAT)

• Liaise with all members of the managing Consortium, SPC FAME, and MFAT on a regular basis.
• Engage with all participants in the programme as the main point of regular contact.
• Manage relationships with service providers such as workshop venues etc to ensure good value for money and fit for purpose service.

4. Support communication and overall oversight of monitoring, evaluation, learning and adaptation in the Programme including regularly compiling MEL information for implementing partners, writing reports as required by SPC and Donors and disseminating knowledge and information through appropriate media

• Utilise MEL information being generated within the Programme to compile regular updates for consortium partners to inform ongoing learning and adaptation within the Programme.
• Drafting and transmitting correspondence (official/unofficial) for both internal and external communication.
• Work closely with the Publications and Translation teams where required on formal communications.
• Regularly use social media to promote the programme and disseminate relevant and purposeful communication.
• Develop learning and performance stories and reports for the SPC learning and results reporting process.
• Develop reports and communications for the Steering Committee, stakeholders, Conferences and MFAT.
• Support the PFLP Team Leader in developing MEL processes and approaches relevant to adaptive management.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Specialized degree in Development / Business Administration / Finance / Event Management / Evaluation

2. Technical expertise

• At least 10 years-experience in a related field of work, at an increasing level of responsibility, for example, in programme or project management, business administration/Monitoring and Evaluation or event management preferably in a Pacific context.
• At least 2 years’ experience managing projects directly in fisheries or in leadership development.
• Demonstrated experience in the strategic leadership of projects and oversight of delivery.
• Demonstrated experience of effective liaison with senior representatives of key stakeholders such as donor agencies, directors of agencies, heads of fisheries.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets with a good understanding of performance and planning processes.
• Demonstrated capacity to efficiently and effectively organise high level meetings and workshops
• Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Experience and familiarity with key principles.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in the aid and international development sector in the Pacific

3. Language skills

• Exceptional communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English and the ability mobilise and engage people.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Demonstrated capacity to work with people from different technical skills and cultural backgrounds.
• Siificant knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until the 1st of July 2023 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 Programme Manager – Pacific Fisheries Leadership Programme (PFLP) 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: 7th of November – 10:00 pm Noumea Time.

Job Reference: AL000428

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):

1. Describe a role you have held that is relevant to this position and explain how that experience has prepared you for this opportunity
2. How do you manage or prevent delays and backlogs within your project team? Provide some examples.
3. Describe how you would respond in a scenario where a training participant provided negative feedback about a cohort training recently    delivered by PFLP? What will you do?