• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization 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 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, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) 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 role – Senior Hydrogeologist will draw upon a combination of scientific expertise, project management skills, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement to ensure the responsible utilization and protection of freshwater resources. The primary focus of this role is to enhance the understanding of groundwater systems, the sustainable development of these resources, and implementation of effective management and protection strategies of water resources and environmental services across the region in the context of Pacific islands.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Technical Advice and support

• Provide high quality technical advice and support on water resource assessment, development, management and protection, and project implementation needs at the national and regional levels.
• Identify training and capacity needs of SPC and member countries and develop initiatives to address them.

Project Management

• Support for implementation and management of projects including budget development, financial and narrative reporting, and preparation and management of procurements.
• Ensure administrative and procurement procedures are undertaken in accordance with SPC and project protocols and requirements.
• Preparation of contracts and TOR’s for development and delivery of project activities in accordance with SPC protocols.

Networking and Communication

• Promote and develop relationships with member country counterparts, partners, and stakeholders resulting in improved delivery of project, national and regional water resource initiatives and resource mobilization, for improved water security, community resilience, freshwater resource protection, management, and sustainability.
• Ensure accurate, audience focused sensitive water resource information is accessible and available to a wide variety of relevant stakeholders.

Capacity Building

• Actively support and encourage the development of capacity building to strengthen the long-term capacity of SPC and country counterparts in water resources assessment, monitoring, protection and resource management, as well as community engagement techniques, people centered approaches and project management through on-the-job training and specially designed training.
• Design, develop and implement training programs in hydrogeology, geophysics, data analysis, technical reporting, and community engagement skills.

Provision of high-quality technical, administrative and financial reporting

• High quality reporting provided on time to meet project and country needs.

Resource Mobilisation

• Identify and develop resource mobilization opportunities to address member country and SPC needs at the national and regional level.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master of science degree (MSc) with a specialization in a relevant field such as hydrogeology, or water resources engineering.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of experience in water resource assessment and monitoring.
• At least 8 years of demonstrated project management and organisational skills experience.
• Experienced in the application of hydrological data and databases to develop information products.
• Demonstrated experience in the use and application of QGIS.
• Demonstrated experience in groundwater management.
• Demonstrated experience of working and managing projects in remote locations.
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement.
• Knowledge of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI), and People Centred Approaches (PCA) in the delivery of projects.          

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• 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 Senior Hydrogeologist is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,565‒4,456 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,623–13,279 (USD 4,741–5,927; EUR 4,419–5,524). 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: 28th April 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000621

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.

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 Fiji 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.

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. Describe three personal characteristics that you feel make you an ideal candidate for this position.
2. In your experience what do you feel are the key challenges facing rural communities of the Pacific in achieving water security, and how might these change in the future?
3. Based on your experience, identify three important challenges for project management in Pacific Island countries and describe how you would go about addressing them.