• 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 Laboratory Coordinator will oversee all logistical, technical and organisational aspects of the FAME laboratories, storage areas and training room, in close collaboration with the heads of each laboratory: Taxonomy laboratory, Genetics laboratory, Sclerochronology laboratory, Histology laboratory and Wet laboratory. The Laboratory Coordinator will provide support to scientific and technical teams to ensure that the laboratories operate efficiently, safely, and in compliance with internal procedures.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

General coordination and organization

• Coordinate with laboratory team leaders and users of equipment and consumable storage areas on matters of organization, layout, and modifications
• Optimize equipment flow, waste management, storage, and ergonomics
• Ensure the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety rules, and good laboratory practices; identify and propose improvements for Quality Management and contribute to their formal integration within the Quality Management System
• Collaborate with Laboratory team leaders and the SPC Health and Safety Officer to conduct risk assessments related to laboratory activities, equipment, and workflows, and plan appropriate responses to emergency situations
• Ensure the proper organization, cleanliness, and smooth operation of laboratory spaces (coordinating with cleaning, maintenance, and technical teams)
• Provide induction and ongoing training for new staff on laboratory safety, equipment use and general laboratory operations

Logistical and administrative management

• Manage procurement of laboratories equipment, reagents, consumables and supplies in compliance with SPC procurement policies
• Monitor deliveries, receipts, invoicing and supplier relations, in coordination with SPC Procurement Services
• Organise internal and external shipment and transport of equipment (sea and air freight), including customs formalities, in coordination with SPC Procurement Services
• Establish and maintain a centralised stock management system, including barcode use and a digital inventory
• Supervise the entire access control system for laboratories, including badge configuration for new staff, monitoring malfunctions, and liaising with designated service provider for maintenance and troubleshooting
• Liaise with relevant internal services to facilitate the logistical and administrative management of interns, volunteers, work experience placements, and secondments, including assistance with contractual and administrative paperwork

Equipment maintenance and monitoring

• Set up and monitor preventive and corrective maintenance contracts for laboratory equipment
• Schedule technical interventions, verify service compliance, and maintain up-to-date maintenance records (e.g. annual inspections of stereomicroscopes, fume hoods, -80°C freezers, etc.)
• Identify equipment malfunctions, propose and implement corrective actions (calling on external experts when necessary), coordinate repairs, and liaise with maintenance services, suppliers and laboratory managers
• Ensure proper functioning of critical equipment (microscopes, centrifuges, fume hoods, automated systems, freezers, cold rooms, etc.)

Works, facilities management and continuous improvement

• Monitor laboratory refurbishment or renovation works (coordination with contractors, planning, acceptance of completed works)
• Identify infrastructure improvement needs and propose practical solutions
• Follow up on technical issues (plumbing, electricity, air conditioning, humidity, network, etc.) in coordination with relevant services
• Assist with the design of new laboratory facilities

Support to scientific activities

• Support teams in the logistical preparation of field campaigns, analyses, projects or experiments requiring specific organisation
• Contribute to compliance with project standards and requirements (safety, biosafety, documentation, etc.)
• Contribute to regular reporting on laboratory activities, results and compliance, in line with project and organisational requirements

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Laboratory Management or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• 7 years of demonstrated experience in laboratory operations and management, team management, logistics (preferably scientific), technical maintenance, technical project coordination or similar roles
• Proficiency in stock management, digital tools and inventory software (ideally with barcode systems)

Language skills

• Excellent written and spoken French, with full comprehension of 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 Laboratory Coordinator is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,350-4,092 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 483,424-590,374 (USD 4,489-5,483; EUR 4,051-4,947). 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: KK000108

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. Describe your approach to developing and implementing safety protocols in the lab
2. What strategies do you use to manage inventory and supplies in the lab?
3. What steps do you take to ensure accurate data collection and analysis?