Communications Assistant

• Attractive local package
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• 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 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our 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 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. 

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

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: Enhance knowledge, learning and innovative solutions to accelerate impact on human development priorities. 

As the key implementing partner for the Pacific Women Lead portfolio, SPC leads the Pacific Women Lead (PWL) at SPC programme (PWL at SPC), located within SPC’s HRSD Division. The PWL at SPC programme receives more than AUD 55 million under the Australian Government’s AUD 170 million PWL portfolio. PWL at SPC has funding for five years from 2021−2026. 

The PWL at SPC programme goal is that Pacific women and girls, in all their diversity, are safe and equitably share in resources, opportunities and decision-making, with men and boys. There are three outcomes: (1) Women’s leadership promoted; (2) Women’s rights realised; and (3) Pacific regional partners increase the effectiveness of regional gender equality efforts. Joining PWL at SPC, other central partners include PWL Enabling Services (PWLES); AIR (Amplify – Invest – Reach) partnership of women’s funds, civil society organisations and coalitions; and the Australian Government’s direct relationships with development partners for regional programmes, such as the United Nations (UN). 

The role – Communications Assistant for PWL at SPC will support communications activities within the communications plan for the team by providing research, policy advice and technical assistance. 

The key responsibilities of the role include: 

Provides technical assistance and support for all communications activities, for a wide range of stakeholders and audiences including the community, PWL at SPC partners and government agencies.

• Assists in the preparation of communication plans.
• Provides photography support for programme activities and manages a photo library.
• Assists with development with regular newsletters and publications.
• Assists with arranging internal staff briefings. 

Provides logistical support and coordination for communication activities such as press releases, radio and/or TV interviews and press conferences during events.

• Provides assistance with drafting media alerts and releases.
• Provides supports for website and social media management.
• Contributes to content for websites.
• Assists with social media training and support to staff.
• Provides support in maintaining a media log of published articles, interviews and PWL mentions. 

Provides support and coordination assistance for events. 

• Assists with media support for all events.
• Provides support in event organization at local, regional and national level.
• Supporting the inclusion of PWL at SPC collateral at appropriate events. 

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

Key selection criteria 

Qualifications 

• A Bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications, or a related discipline from a recognised university or equivalent work experience 

Technical expertise   

• At least 3 years of communications related experience, preferably in the Pacific region.
• Experience preparing communications materials for a range of audiences.
• Experience in communications and visibility capacity development.
• Knowledge and understanding of gender equality concepts and issues, including in the Pacific.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of Pacific cultural values and international human rights principles and standards.
• Pacific experience and an in-depth understanding of the human rights (including violence against women), good governance and development challenges in the region.
• Ability to successfully work within a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to translate text-heavy documents or information into user-friendly visual materials. 

Language skills 

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with strong writing ability at a project donor reporting level. 

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness 

• Excellent interpersonal and representational skills with experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of different individuals and organisations.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions 

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance. 

Remuneration – The Communications Assistant is a band 7 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a commencing taxable salary range of FJD 2,287-2,859 per month, plus local staff benefits. 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. 

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 – 9 April 2023 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000409 

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

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Only Fijian citizens are eligible to apply for this role.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process. 

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question): 

1. Briefly summarise how your skills and experience meet the key selection criteria, detailed in the job description.
2. Using Excel to catalogue a photo library covering 22 countries, and cross-referencing different thematic areas such women’s economic empowerment (WEE) and ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG), how would you approach the cataloguing? This should include any drop-downs, search functions, file naming protocols and other approaches to achieve the aim of maintaining a photo library that any staff member can easily ‘search and find photos’ they seek for topics or countries.