• 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, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are four (4) areas of scientific programming within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.
4. Earth and Ocean Observation Services – Promoting spatial data and systems analysis and capacity to improve decision-making to improve resilience and sustainable resource management.

The role – Program Implementation Officer (PHWP) will work with collaborating entities in up to 15 Pacific Island Countries to plan, budget, implement, report, undertake procurement and contract management, work planning, support quality monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL), prepare for, conduct country or regional level meetings, travel and meeting logistics and roll out country stakeholder communications, engagement and visibility activities. The role will also support with the strengthening of local program management systems and pulling in technical expertise from across the Disaster and Water Resilience Programme (DWRP) and SPC as necessary.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Guiding, coaching and coordinating capacity building of Pacific Island countries to plan, budget, implement, and report on in-country and/or regional activities

• Guide and coach the lead implementing agencies in nominated Pacific Island countries and/or at the regional level through a detailed design process for country and/or regional plans and results frameworks on agreed templates, including ensuring: social and environmental considerations are addressed across all activities; wide stakeholder participation and inclusivity; plans align with country sectoral and/or regional strategies and receive executive-level endorsement; risks are identified and managed.
• Support results-orientated and inclusive implementation and coordination of program activities in nominated countries and/or regionally, ensuring program objectives are sustainably realised, there is collaboration with and complementarity to other development programmes (where relevant), and activities are implemented and reported in accordance with program beneficiary priorities, formal agreements and the operational policies and procedures of SPC and nominated countries.
• Seek opportunities for capacity strengthening of all in-country and/or regional program personnel, ensuring they receive adequate induction, mentoring and support to assist them to fulfil their obligations to the program whilst also developing professionally as individuals.

Undertake financial planning, procurement, contract and grant management, meeting and mission logistics planning for in-country and regional activities, developing and monitoring annual workplans, support in-country and regional meetings

• Coach and support coordinators/focal points in nominated countries and/or regionally to accurately and systematically develop, update, and report on costed workplans in a timely manner using templates provided (building capacity where needed), working with SPC finance, Grants and Procurement staff to accurately manage risks.
• Guide and support program-level procurement planning processes and meet SPC accountability requirements, including: providing (and drawing on) expert advice on procurement/grant matters to maximise economies of scale, meet member country and/or regional needs and enhance member country and/or regional systems; identifying and negotiating appropriate modalities for each activity in accordance with SPC policy, factoring in the nature and value of activities, implementation timeframe, risks, the capacity and systems of the implementing entity, and supporting localisation and GEDSI inclusive ownership of deliverables where possible.
• Support technical staff in coordinating and managing all direct procurement and contract/grant management requirements for program-funded services, supplies and equipment in nominated Pacific Island countries (and (sub) regional activities where necessary). This includes: working with SPC Legal on major procurements and grants, including the DWRP Procurement and Grants Officer; leading non-major direct procurements for nominated countries in accordance with SPC policy, including preparing procurement documentation, seeking quotations, coordinating evaluation committees, negotiating with suppliers; liaising with DWRP technical specialists to develop Terms of Reference/specifications; support technical staff in procurement requests where necessary; drafting policy-compliant contracts; and tracking and ensuring compliance with contract milestones.

Ensuring quality stakeholder engagement and support implementation of MERL for in-country and/or regional activities

• Work with the PHWP technical staff and in-country focal points to ensure appropriate communications, engagement and visibility activities for the program are undertaken in nominated countries and/or the region in line with the Country Implementation Plans and the program’s Communications, Engagement and Strategy, MERL Strategy, GEDSI Strategy, Localisation and Greening Strategies.
• Establish and maintain effective communications with nominated countries and/or the regional level concerning their needs and the implementation of program objectives, including: developing close, strong working relationships with focal points; supporting in-country lead agencies to achieve high-level government participation at country and/or regional levels; supporting additional high-level liaison with Ministers and senior government staff where required; promoting networking between country and/or regional risk reduction and resilience stakeholders; identifying and helping realise opportunities to collaborate with other initiatives to increase impact; assisting to facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations to develop negotiate and later evaluate and reflect on program activities.
• Assist the PHWP Program Manager to convene program level meetings and other events at country and/or regional levels as relevant.

Supporting and advising on program coordination, management and reporting

• Support developing Country Implementation Plans, financial and narrative reporting into full program workplans/reports.
• Assist with and advise on the drafting and implementation of exit/transition and closure plans for the program, including transfer of any assets to beneficiaries in accordance with SPC policy.
• Work with program administration staff to ensure all program records created for the nominated Pacific Island country activities (and (sub) regional activities where relevant) are saved in the shared records management system and accessible to other team members, including for MERL and audit purposes.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution in a relevant field such as program management, international development, natural resources management, climate resilience, disaster risk management or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 8 years in program coordination or management position in the Pacific region.
• Strong understanding and experience in program management, including program-cycles; log-frames; financial forecasting and reporting; grant and contract management; MERL; and risk management.
• Knowledge of procurement and financial management systems and implementing programs across multiple currencies.
• Experience with facilitating multi-stakeholder participatory, consultative, gender and social inclusion approaches to development, and mitigating adverse environmental impacts.
• Experience in successfully building capacity through training, mentoring and coaching.
• Experience in liaising and negotiating with Pacific Island countries.   

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 – This position is funded for 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Program Implementation Officer (PHWP) 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). 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. Relocation airfares, excess luggage, health and life and disability insurances are available for employees. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, prorated on contract length 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: 21 June 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000952

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. Describe a time when you had to develop and manage a workplan for a project. How did you pull it together with inputs from your team and what are key issues you need to manage in implementing the work plan.  
2. Tell us about your experience in designing a MEL plan for a project. How did you ensure that it was clear, aligned with organizational requirements, and easy to implement?
3. Provide an example of when you supported delivery of a complex project, and what you feel were the key factors of success.