• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• 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, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides effective expert scientific advice, capacity building and services on conservation, development and utilization of plant genetic resources, forest and landscape management, resilient agricultural systems, diversification of livelihood strategies and access to markets to maintain ecosystem services and improve land productivity and the food, nutrition security and resilience of Pacific communities. LRD has expertise in genetic resource conservation, resilient agriculture, biosecurity, pest and disease management, agricultural extension, plant pathology, entomology and animal health. It collaborates with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to pinpoint the needs and priorities of Pacific countries and communities and provide technical expertise to address them. This mission is realized through four main thematic work areas, or pillars, and a progressively integrated approach to programming that works towards achieving SPC’s development goals.

The role - Pest and Disease Management Adviser is responsible for providing overall strategic and technical advisory to member countries and LRD supporting policy interventions and research on pest and disease management, including integrating plant health systems (monitoring, prevention, etc.) and promoting effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The Adviser is also responsible for overseeing the LRD Plant Health Laboratory, including diagnostic operations, IPM development, and the evaluation of certain control products

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Resource Mobilisation

• Integrate activities in plant health across LRD programs, including those located in SPC subregional offices.
• Develop and coordinate multidisciplinary grant proposals related to plant health lab sustainability, in close collaboration with scientists from LRD programmes and regional and international partners.

Research Policy and Technical Advisory

• Actively provide policy advice and assistance to PICTs in areas related to plant health and their relation to public health.
• Provide advice on linkages between climate change and pest and disease risks.
• Provide timely and accurate advice, and technical assistance to PICTs, on all matters relating to the plant health.
• Ensure timely provision of strategic technical advice and appropriate technical assistance and support to member PICTs and key international stakeholders on Integrated Pests management.
• Ensure effective and timely response to crop pests and disease problems in the region through promotion of integrated pests and disease management.

Coordination and communication

• Organise and conduct, in collaboration with LRD programmes, regional and subregional meetings and workshops to improve the coordination and implementation of plant health activities in the region.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with other regional and international plant health organisations, universities and other training institutions for the benefit of the region.
• Convene regional committee for pesticide registration.

Planning, monitoring, and evaluation

• Ensure technical advice provided by LRD in plant health is relevant and accurate.
• Ensuring research in plant health follows best practice protocols.
• Ensure that the plant health laboratory's various biosecurity accreditations are properly renewed.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in agricultural science and plant health / pesticide risk management or related field or an equivalent body of knowledge and experience. 

Technical expertise

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a similar role.
• Expertise in research relevant to plant health, pest and disease management.
• Expert in pesticide risk management.
• Understanding of national and regional issues related to plant health and pest and disease management.
• Experience in computational and statistical tools for the management of agricultural information.
• Demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Experience in fund-raising, proposal preparation and project management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to motivate inspire and promote teamwork in an interdisciplinary, multicultural, and regional context.                                                                                                                 

Language skills 

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage. 

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness 

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 June 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration – The Pest and Disease Management Adviser is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,303–11,629 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,786–4,732). 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 1,500–5,200 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: 15 June 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000883

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. As part of promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Pacific, what do you see as the main current barriers to the adoption of these practices by countries and farmers? Please illustrate your response with concrete examples.
2. The development and implementation of effective pest and disease integrated management strategies require coherent coordination between national and regional approaches, while also complying with biosecurity requirements. In your view, what role can SPC play in supporting its members to manage this complexity? What tools or approaches would you recommend to enhance the effectiveness and reduce the costs of IPM programmes?
3. Please share your experiences with innovation in pest and disease management, particularly related to the production and use of biocontrol agents. In your opinion, how could the SPC Plant Health Laboratory help increase access to these agents for the agricultural sectors of member countries?