Job Description

• 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 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 Principal Fisheries Scientist (Coastal & Nearshore Fisheries) will lead and develop fisheries science in accordance with the FAME Business Plan and priority projects (e.g. Green Climate Fund – Regional Tuna Programme, Agence Française de Développement – Pacific Ocean Initiative, Pacific European Union Marine Partnership Programme II) to provide the highest possible quality scientific advice and capacity-building support to Pacific Island government fisheries managers, communities, fishers and other stakeholders.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Leadership, planning, administration and communication of science outputs and maintaining awareness of the requirements of major stakeholders

• Assists FAME’s Deputy Directors in strategic planning to ensure that the coastal and nearshore fisheries science work meets the needs of SPC members and other Programme clients and partners.
• Coordinates reporting for projects supervised by the position to associated project management units, steering committees, and other bodies, as appropriate.
• Oversee procurement of goods and services for activities supervised by the position, ensuring compliance with SPC policies.
• Oversee the disbursement of funds to project partners and sub-grantees and monitor expenditure and associated reporting obligations.
• Develops the annual coastal and nearshore fisheries science work plan and work plan reports consistent with the FAME Business and strategic plans and available funding.
• Supervises the implementation of the SPC staff performance planning and management system for direct and indirect reports and facilitates ongoing professional development of staff.
• Prepares and reviews papers for publication in peer reviewed journals, books chapters, SPC Fisheries Newsletter or other resources.

Oversight and promotion of strategic direction of FAME science to support current and emerging science needs and priorities of PICT coastal and nearshore fisheries policy, management and sustainable development

• Consults effectively and regularly with SPC member fisheries agencies regarding their coastal and nearshore fisheries applied science needs and priorities.
• Oversee the strategic direction and focus of FAME Science to support members’ coastal and nearshore fisheries applied science needs and priorities.
• Oversee and supports the delivery of the objectives of specific projects which the position is required to implement, either additional to or supporting the regular work programme.
• Oversee the coordination of communications, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), and ensure that the cross-cutting SPC ‘people centred approach’ (including gender, equality, disability, social inclusion/human rights - GEDSI), appropriate climate resilience, the Precautionary Approach are incorporated into all work undertaken and supervised by the position.
• Contribute to the analytical and field survey work of the FAME science team as necessary.

Lead, coordinate and implement the research, development, application, and capacity-building of innovative and appropriate methods and tools in support of SPC member coastal and nearshore fisheries applied science needs

• Oversee, support and promote the science team’s work on the development and implementation of improved data-collection and analytical methodologies, procedures and tools, appropriate to the data-limited nature of PICT coastal and nearshore fisheries, including for implementation by small fisheries administrations and community-based managers.
• Oversee and support the transitioning of e-technology solutions for fisheries data collection into standard practices.
• Consult and participate in national, regional and organisational processes to develop operational data standards for coastal and nearshore fisheries.
• Supervise the delivery of an annual regional capacity-building workshop on understanding coastal and nearshore fisheries health/stock assessments, and in delivering national or subregional training workshops for implementing monitoring and sampling tools.
• Oversee and support the development and maintenance of online and interactive digital tools and materials for training and technical support in fisheries science for members.

Prepare or support the Director and deputies in the preparation of sustainable financing to build coastal and nearshore fisheries science and operational capacity to meet increasing SPC member applied science needs for evidence-based coastal and nearshore fisheries management and sustainable development

• Develops, in consultation with FAME’s Director, Deputy Directors funding and/or cost-recovery proposals to secure funding to support for coastal and nearshore fisheries science work.
• Assists the FAME Director, Deputy Director’s, and SPC resource mobilisation staff with the preparation of FAME-wide, Flagship and/or cross-Divisional proposal preparation, as required.

Engage in SPC internal and inter-agency networking and collaboration in support and advancement of better Pacific Island Country and Territory coastal and nearshore fisheries science

• Develop and promote collaborations with other programmes and divisions within SPC on issues such as food systems, food security, small-scale livelihoods, climate change resilience and adaptation, human rights, gender, equality, disability and social inclusion.
• Develop links with other CROP agencies, universities, NGOs and CSOs in regard to fisheries applied science, to encourage collaborations and minimise the risk of duplication of work.
• Advocate at regional and global fora on behalf of the Pacific islands’ region coastal and nearshore fisheries applied science interests.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• PhD degree in natural resource sciences, or a relevant scientific field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years’ experience in managing scientific staff, strategically leading a team towards a long-term objective, developing and maintaining a client-oriented research programme, and managing projects.
• At least 5 years’ experience in designing and conducting fishery science programmes, including sampling design, data collection (particularly in data-limited environments), analysis, reporting and advising end-users in applying the results to management and sustainable development.
• Experience in applied science related to small-scale and artisanal coastal and nearshore fisheries.
• Demonstrated experience of engaging in collaboration between institutions.
• Understanding of Pacific Islands regional coastal and nearshore fisheries issues, particularly science aspects, but also including gender and human rights-based issues involved in coastal and nearshore fisheries management.
• Experience in planning and facilitating workshops and training activities.
• Experience in effectively collaborating and working with people from different ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Experience working with PC systems, MS Office/365 software, and statistical and mathematical software.

Language skills

• Excellent English language communication ability and demonstrated record of producing written material and reports for fisheries administrations, meetings, donors, training courses etc.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Willingness and ability to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries and territories, sometimes under difficult conditions.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration  – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Principal Fisheries Scientist (Coastal & Nearshore Fisheries) is a band 13 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 5,690-7,016 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 831,658-1,025,524 (USD 7,568-9,332; EUR 6,969-8,594). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

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: 7 September 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference:  CR000471

Applicants must apply online at

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. What do you see as the current and emerging science issues, needs and priorities in support of Pacific Islands’ coastal and nearshore fisheries policy, management and sustainable development?
2. What do you understand by ‘data limited fisheries’, and what innovative and appropriate methods and tools might assist with addressing Pacific Islands’ coastal and nearshore fisheries applied science needs?
3. How would you approach building the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme Science Section’s capacity and capability to meet the increasing SPC member applied science needs for the management and sustainable development of coastal and nearshore fisheries, as well as for aquaculture?

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