• Suva-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 one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role – the Programme Management Unit Coordinator, GCF Tuna Programme will monitor overall implementation of the GCF Tuna programme; oversee and coordinate the reporting  and coordination of meetings for the GCF Tuna programme ensuring all reporting covers the work undertaken by SPC and the implementing partners (Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and meets programme rules and requirements, plus coordinating the communication and gender/human rights activities across all components of the GCF Tuna programme.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Responsible for all areas of monitoring implementation and reporting for the GCF-RTP to the CI-GCF Unit in line with the programme’s objectives and reporting requirements

• Coordinates the reporting from the different components of the GCF-RTP to the PMU.
• Coordinates and writes the inception report for GCF-RTP.
• Liaises and works with FFA and CSIRO to gather the information needed for reporting on all GCF-RTP activities.
• Writes and compiles the GCF-RTP reports covering all GCF-RTP activities and finances to the CI-GCF Unit in line with the programme’s objectives and timelines and the input received from partners.
• Arranges the semi-annual Programme Coordination Group (PCG) Meetings, the annual Steering Committee meetings, and inception workshop for the GCF-RTP and acts as the secretary to this group and other coordinating groups to produce the reports.
• Liaises with the CI-GCF Unit on a regular basis and provides comprehensive ad-hoc, quarterly, and annual reports and analyses as determined, and in the format required, by the CI-GCF Agency.
• Supports technical requirements, ensuring compliance with strict donor policies, which are subject to change over the course of Programme implementation.

Oversee the financial expenditure for the PMU, and disbursement of funds to other implementing partners

• Oversees the operations of the finance officer to ensure all financial reports are accurate and provided in a timely fashion.
• Oversees procurement of goods and services ensuring compliance with SPC policies
• Ensures that funding requests are made to the CI-GCF Unit when the threshold expenditure is reached.
• Oversees the disbursement of funds to the GCF-RTP co-delegatees and checks expenditure.

Oversee the implementation of communications, MEL, and gender/human rights across all components of the GCF-RTP

• Oversees the implementation of the communications plan for the GCF-RTP and its implementation across all components of the GCF-RTP.
• Oversees the work of the MEL specialist and works with them to monitor the success of the programme across all GCF-RTP activities against the indicators within the GCF-RTP agreement document and logframe.
• Oversees the work of the gender and human rights specialist to ensure activities are undertaken with all GCF-RTP activities, and these are recorded and reported back through annual reports to the CI-GCF Unit.

Promote inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration with the CI-GCF Unit, and co-delegatees and partners implementing the GCF-RTP

• Liaises and works with regional and international organisations, NGOs, governments and CI on GCF-RTP activities, and encourage collaborations.
• Liaises and works closely with all the component areas under the GCF-RTP including FFA, CSIRO and their partners to ensure collaborations and synergies including gender and human rights and communication.
• Supports and promotes collaborations with other sections and divisions within SPC on issues such as food security and nutrition, livelihoods, climate change adaptation etc

Programme administration and communication

• Develop the annual work plans and reports for the PMU.
• Maintains up to date corporate and administrative procedures, including training data for all activities undertaken.
• Ensures Programme adherence to GCF / CI-GCF requirements including but not limited to the GCF policy on prohibited practices.
• Contributes where applicable to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications, such as Fisheries Newsletters and GCF-RTP articles and reports.
• Produces reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity including technical reports and trip reports.
• Fills in for other staff when they are on leave or duty travel, when required.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as programme, project management, international development or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 15 years of direct experience in programme or project management.
• Demonstrated capability for collaborating and leading an integrated programme or unit involving colleagues from several different countries and cultures.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and collecting the work of other agencies and compiling for a single report for a project against specific objectives and success indicators.
• Proven ability to design, plan and facilitate workshops and other trainings.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality and HRB approaches.
• Experience working with PC systems and MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software, and software programmes for data entry and management.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English (oral and written) with the capacity to engage scientific, government, public and community audiences.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.
• 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 Programme Management Unit Coordinator, GCF Tuna Programme is a band 13 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,087‒5,109 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 12,302–15,377 (USD 5,436–6,795; EUR 5,006–6,257). 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 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: 6 April 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000391

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 the personal attributes that a coordinator of a programme management unit requires to be successful.
2. What purpose does a programme management unit provide in a Green Climate Fund Project?
3. What constrains the effectiveness of a programme management unit in Pacific Island Countries?