• 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 27 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 composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecosystems Programme (MEP). The Director’s Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the three programmes and cross-cutting projects. Working with all 22 PICTs, SPC FAME has strong partnerships with regional, sub-regional and national entities working in the marine sector. SPC FAME staff are based in New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tonga, with most of the staff being based in New Caledonia.

The Collection Manager (Pacific Marine Specimen Bank) will be in charge of operating, organising, maintaining and improving the PMSB to ensure it is fully functional to store samples and respond to scientists who want to access the collection. He/she will ensure the coherence between the marine collection and the database that supports the sample library. He/she will develop and implement the appropriate procedures for an efficient functioning of the PMSB with high quality standards.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

PMSB procedure development and implementation

• Develop and implement operational procedures for the management of the marine collection and data
• Develop new solutions to facilitate sample management (e.g. barcoding)
• Act as the first focal point to manage sample requests from scientists and liaise with WCPFC when required
• Liaise with staff involved in sampling projects, including training, to ensure the procedures applied will allow samples to enter the PMSB with all the required documentation
• Ensure international biosecurity regulations are respected (e.g. importation/exportation permits, CITES…)
• Consider the implications of the Convention for Biodiversity (CBD) and The Nagoya Protocol and its relation to ownership of samples
• Coordinate procedures with other SPC specimen collection programmes (e.g. CePaCT)
• Implement quality management system
• Other additional tasks as directed by the supervisor

Operationalize the PMSB marine collection

• Organize, supervise and conduct the marine samples import/export/shipment activities including quarantine authorizations, in collaboration with SPC’s service providers
• Manage the storage facilities located in different sites and develop new storage solutions in collaboration with the lab manager
• Organise the storage of the samples
• Ensure proper storage, conservation and monitoring of the marine collection in optimal condition, including long-term conservation of irreplaceable voucher specimens
• Organise and supervise the cataloguing and identification of samples entering/exiting the PMSB including the archived samples
• Organise and conduct withdrawal, preparation and shipment of samples according to the requests received

Operationalize the PMSB database

• Ensure coherence between the physical samples and specimens of the marine collection and the database supporting the sample library (Biodasys)
• Ensure all operations conducted on the samples from the marine collection are mirrored in the PMSB database (Biodasys)
• Ensure all information characterising samples and data, including results of analyses conducted on the samples, are complete, up to date and recorded in the appropriate manner in the database (e.g. protocols, analysis results, research projects)
• Improve the database functionality and further develop the web-based interface in collaboration with the database manager
• Oversee the digitisation of the collection including preparation, registration and cataloguing of digital imaging (e.g. photographs, X-rays...)

Reporting and information

• Report to national and regional entities on the activities of the PMSB as required
• Promotion and awareness of the PMSB, including organising and conducting visits on the premises
• Participate in regional and international collection networks
• Strengthen MEL and communicate FAME results and activities

People Management

• Manage daily activities and performance of staff
• Conduct objective performance appraisals, identifying skill gaps
• Ensure staff follow PMSB procedures, safety standards, and quality management protocols
• Promote cross‑team collaboration with FEMA, OFP, CFAP, and other internal partners

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in logistics, specimen curation and cataloguing or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• 10 years practical experience managing a collection of samples
• Experience in logistics
• Experience in implementation of quality assessment and control
• Experience in project development and management
• Experience in databases, data entry and data quality control
• Experience in designing and reviewing/auditing data collection systems
• Ability to adhere to compliance requirements, including safety standards related to chemicals and specimen handling
• Ability to work for short periods in walk-in -20° freezers
• Communicates clearly and constructively with stakeholders across the Pacific

Language skills

• Good communication skills in English

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This contract is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Collection Manager (Pacific Marine Specimen Bank) is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,397-5,400 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 634,433-779,190 (USD 5,892-7,236; EUR 5,317-6,530). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia. 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.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea – SPC provides housing support 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 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 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:  1 March 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: KK000107

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.

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 the key quality control measures in a biorepository?
2. Describe the main challenges for inventory management systems in biobanking
3. Describe the best features of an effective Laboratory Information Management System