Natural Resource Management Adviser

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific 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 – Natural Resource Management Adviser is responsible for providing overall strategic technical advisory, policy, and research direction to the Division and to member countries and territories on sustainable forest, landscape management practises, amplifying the importance of ecosystem services, working closely with the national and regional priorities of member countries and territories.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Lead resource mobilisation

• Coordinate and lead resource mobilisation efforts (i.e. fund raising for projects/programmes), developing strategic partnerships with regional and international organisations to support the priorities of member countries and territories.
• Develop and coordinate multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary grant proposals in close collaboration with Program Leaders, relevant technical staff from LRD programs, and regional and international partners related to natural resource management, focusing on forestry and landscape management.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagements and collaborate with regional and international agencies to foster partnerships that enhance sustainable forestry and landscape management efforts.

Lead research, policy and technical advisory

• Contribute to formulating policy advice that supports to sustainable forestry and land use management practise, ensuring alignment to national and regional priorities.
• Provide strategic and expert technical advice to member countries, and regional and international stakeholders on sustainable forestry and land use management matters.
• Lead the planning, design, establishment, monitoring, analysis of research that addresses critical issues in sustainable forestry and landscape management, including identifying research gaps and formulating research concepts and proposals that meet the needs of the region.

Support coordination and communication

• Coordinate and facilitate key regional technical meetings to progress sustainable forestry, and landscape management activities, and other key policy and research issues.
• In collaboration with member countries and territories, lead the facilitation of the forestry professionals’ network as a regional network.
• Disseminate relevant knowledge and information regarding research findings, project outcomes, policies, and best practices in sustainable forestry and landscape management. This includes reports, presentations, and other targeted communication materials to support with upscaling and adoption pathways for good practices identified.

Support monitoring, evaluation and learning

• Monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of forestry initiatives, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
• Develop, implement, and monitor forestry and landscape management projects, managing budgets and resources, using appropriate governance and risk frameworks, performance measures, reporting standards and assessment tools to achieve project milestones and deliverables.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree in natural resources management, forestry science or agriculture economics.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in a similar role.
• Expertise in research and implementation of interventions in forestry /landscape and natural resources management.
• Understanding of national and regional issues related to forestry.
• Demonstrated capability in policy formulation.
• Experience in implementation, monitoring and evaluating sustainable forestry management.
• Experience in computational and statistical tools for the management of forestry information.
• Demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Experience in fund-raising, proposal preparation and project management.         

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 November 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Natural Resource Management Adviser is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,211–11,513 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,831–4,789). 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 1,350–3,000 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: 26 January 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM0000814

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. How do you integrate sustainable practices into forestry and land management? What are two key challenges, and how would you resolve these two challenges?
2. Please describe critical elements for developing and implementing strategies for resource mobilisation in natural resources management-focused projects. What methods have you found most effective in securing funding or technical partnerships?
3. Describe your approach to engaging with diverse stakeholders and how you ensure the interests of various groups, including local communities and government agencies, are effectively represented and addressed.