• 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 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 role – the Communications and Knowledge Management Officer will support content development, dissemination, and internal and external communications for the Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science (PCCOS), while implementing, monitoring and reviewing its Communications and Visibility Strategy. This role will also support training to staff and country stakeholders on communications product development (including digital), awareness raising, including in schools, digital communications and stakeholder engagement strategies for ocean science and ocean management initiatives.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Multimedia content creation

• Develop original written content about ocean science, ocean management, Early Career Ocean Professionals, and other related activities.
• Produce short video material (interviews and quick messages).
• Create infographics and social media cards.
• Provide photography support.
• Arrange and lead interviews with relevant stakeholders to create people-centered knowledge products.
• Create new pages on the PCCOS website and regularly update content on existing pages.
• Create templates using Canva, MS Office or Adobe Suite to be used by the team.
• Manage internal communications and publications support or external consultants to develop products or materials, where necessary.

Event coordination and visibility

• Coordinate planning for key ocean management events, including workshops, conference, meetings, knowledge exchanges, and milestone celebrations at national and regional levels.
• Develop communications plans, concept notes, programmes and agendas.
• Contribute to coordination of messaging around major cross-CROP events.
• Ensure that SPC ocean management outputs, collaterals and awareness raising materials are designed for and shared during project events.
• Organise radio and/or TV interviews, press releases, and press conferences during ocean management events, and assisting SPC staff to participate in such activities.
• Prepare and coordinate the review and approval process of media alerts and media releases and disseminate them to media outlets.
• Provide updates internally on the SPC intranet and PCCOS SharePoint site, and on social media.
• Prepare communications report for key events, track online engagement and media coverage.

Knowledge management

• Coordinate the development and update knowledge and communications products.
• Arrange and lead interviews with relevant stakeholders for monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management purposes.
• Contribute to the creation of people-centered products on ocean management initiatives.
• Identify, document and share lessons, learning, outcomes and impacts of ocean science and management processes in the Pacific.
• Contribute to strategic advice in coordination with the PCCOS team, the Integrated Ocean Management and Marine Spatial Planning teams.
• Contribute to the implementation of the PCCOS and Oceans Flagship learning agendas.

Training and Country Support

• Provide regular training to SPC staff and country stakeholders on communications, knowledge management, awareness raising, and stakeholder engagement.
• Guide SPC staff and partners regarding communications, knowledge management, awareness raising, and stakeholder engagement.
• Support country stakeholder in developing strategic communication activities and awareness raising strategies.

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 graphic design, communications, journalism, mass communications or public relations.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of experience in communications with at least 3 years in an international context.
• Excellent design and editing skills with portfolio of published work available for review including video, digital, written and recorded work.
• Pacific media understanding and partnership coordination experience in the Pacific.
• Photography and/or video skills with portfolio of work available for review.
• Fluency in social media strategy and content development.
• Capacity to engage with government, public and community audiences.
• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, multi-cultural and gender-sensitive environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until 30 June 2025.

Remuneration – the Communications and Knowledge Management Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,912–3,544 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 430,728–524,172 (USD 3,873–4,713; EUR 3,609–4,393). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is 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 and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Airfares, medical and life insurance are available for eligible employees. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave per year of contract 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: 14 July 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time).

Job Reference: CR000236

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 your experience with creating and implementing communication strategies for scientific or environmental programs? How do you tailor your communication approach to different audiences?
2. Describe your greatest achievement in terms of communications and/or knowledge management in a professional context?
3. What strategies have you used to capture, store, and disseminate knowledge within an organisation and externally, particularly in the context of scientific research or ocean management?