• 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 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 Human Rights and Social Development Division (HRSD) has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and 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 (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.

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

• Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
• Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
• Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
• Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.

The role – Social Inclusion Officer will provide technical advice, assistance, and capacity building under the HRSD work program focusing on Social Inclusion. The Social Inclusion components of HRSD’s work program are Youth Inclusion, Disability Equity and Inclusion and Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) inclusion.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Provide technical assistance on Social Inclusion being Youth Inclusion, Disability Equity and SOGIESC Inclusion 

• Support Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs) governments and civil societies to implement and deliver on social inclusion commitments.
• Support research and analysis, and the production of reports, on key and emerging social inclusion issues in line with PICTs priorities.
• Provide advice and support at the country level and to other stakeholders on social inclusion with oversight from the Social Inclusion Adviser.
• Engage in national, regional and international fora, mechanisms and processes for the purposes of integrating social inclusion perspectives into policies and programs.
• Support the social inclusion team to develop ideas and concepts for the advancement of social inclusion in the region.
• Support the mainstream team to integrate social inclusion considerations into various SPC divisional programs.

Social Inclusion capacities and skills development

• Support the identification of needs for development of social inclusion research and analysis capacities and skills for PICTs and other stakeholders.
• Support the development and delivery of capacity building tools, resources and program on social inclusion.
• Continuous review and adaptation of social inclusion capacity building and skills development materials informed by learning.

Stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination

• Support stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination to advance divisional objectives at national, regional and institutional levels.
• Engage in working groups, task forces and other technical committees.
• Provide technical assistance to SPC members on social inclusion in alignment to national priorities.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Contribute to HRSD donor and activity reports.
• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning for social inclusion projects and programs.
• Contributes to the monitoring and evaluation of capacity building is conducted to meet desired outcomes.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all interventions including training and technical assistance.

Project management

• Provide programmatic and administrative and support to events as required, where Social Inclusion team is involved
• Provide in-house tracking the Social Inclusion program/project/ activity implementation.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as development studies, social work, sociology, social sciences, human services, human rights, law, gender equality or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• 5 years of work experience related to human rights and gender and social inclusion issues.
• Good working knowledge of human rights and gender and social inclusion in the Pacific.
• Experience drafting reports, and key documentation related to human rights processes.
• Proven ability to develop and implement appropriate capacity development sessions on human rights, gender equality and social inclusion for diverse government and non-government audiences.      

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 – This position is funded until 1 February 2028 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Social Inclusion Officer is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,399‒2,998 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,412–9,265 (USD 3,214–4,018; EUR 2,900–3,625). 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. 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 Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 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 10% 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: 31 May 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: CB000361

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. What are three examples of applying the social inclusion principles and practice when developing a national youth policy workshop with Pacific Islands Governments? (Describe the three examples and how you will apply them before, during and after the development of the national youth policy workshop)
2. What are two capacity needs assessment tools to use when identifying human rights, gender and social inclusion needs for Pacific Islands Governments? (Describe the tools, the process of applying the tools to identify the capacity needs and how the tools will inform the capacity building approaches you will implement).
3. What are your experiences managing a youth development or social development project? (Describe the project, your experiences in managing the project, the achievements, challenges and how you address the challenge to ensure effective project management and implementation.)