Director Strategy Performance & Learning

• 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 Strategy, Performance and Learning Division (SPL) is a specialised unit within SPC’s Office of the Director-General. SPL has staff based at our headquarters in Noumea, as well as our regional office in Suva. The team has the following core functions: (i) guiding strategic direction through development of the Pacific Community Strategic Plan and facilitation of the Subcommittee of the Council of Representatives of Governments and Administration (CRGA) that oversights the implementation of the plan (ii) increasing development effectiveness through leading and coordinating corporate monitoring, evaluation, reflection, reporting and learning; (iii) supporting the Director-General and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in undertaking strategic corporate initiatives, including organisational planning, organisational improvement or research and co-design of innovative and integrated projects and programmes, and iv) serving as a strategic coordination point for key relationships with external stakeholders, including member countries and territories, donors and development partners.

The role – the Director Strategy Performance & Learning will provide leadership in developing and monitoring the implementation of the Pacific Community Strategic Plan; foresight and futures thinking; business level planning, integration and innovation design, strategic country engagement; MEL processes and capacity for programme quality, improvement and impact and results analytics and reporting for accountability and learning.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Strengthening SPC responsiveness, positioning and value to the region through Strategy, Foresight & Futures thinking and practice

• Lead the development of futures focussed strategies, taking into account global, regional and emerging trends impacting the sustainable development of the Pacific.
• Lead strategic foresight, and evidence synthesis for complex problem solving and decision making with Executive and the CRGA.
• Co design with the membership and lead the monitoring and adaptation of the Pacific Community strategic direction and coherence across OneSPC implementation mechanisms.
• Conceptualise, design and deliver a foresight and innovation learning agenda that informs the Pacific community longer term strategic capacity and capabilities.
• Lead the facilitation of the CRGA Subcommittee on the Implementation of the Strategic Plan.
• Lead consultations with members, CROP, UN and other partners on SPC strategic and business planning and alignment with national sustainable development plans and global and regional commitments including the SDGs and the Blue Pacific 2050 Strategy.
• Represent SPC and the Director General at significant regional and international forums and lead effective negotiation of initiatives in key priority areas where required.

Increasing SPC’s development effectives through Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the (non- financial) results and impact system including MEL intelligence, analytics and reporting; human and knowledge capital.
• Facilitate evidence synthesis and robust discussion with members, executive and senior leadership on corporate performance.
• Oversight the development and implementation of the corporate evaluation agenda.
• Lead the community of practice – MELnet to be fit for purpose to provide MEL services across the breadth and depth of the Secretariat.
• Grow MELnet and mobilise resources to provide strategic MEL services to members to strengthen Pacific MEL capacity, improve evidence based decision making and contribute to contextual and culturally grounded MEL practices across the Pacific.
• Ensure SPC is well positioned to seize opportunities and address challenges through strategic evidence generation and knowledge products to support resource mobilisation, inform decision making, increase visibility and valuing of SPC  scientific and technical outputs and developmental impacts.

Improving SPC responsiveness and relevance to national and regional need through integrated and innovative design and strategic country engagement

• Lead the methodology review, co design of renewed purpose and approach for strategic country engagement as a key mechanism to deliver the strategic plan in line with Pacific Island Countries and Territories own priorities and interests.
• Lead the implementation of the ‘Funding with Intent’ investment envelope to catalyse organizational transformations and institutional capacity strengthening program quality and innovation design.
• Facilitate, foster and leverage relationships for coordinated, integrated, coherent and quality programmatic design and implementation that draws on SPC capabilities, regional service delivery and deep understanding of Pacific contexts and cultures.
• Drive regular scanning of the development literature and landscape for opportunities to innovative, for member and citizen engagement, design thinking, complexity aware, systems level development practices, including for publication and presentation at regional and international forum.
• Lead and facilitate cross-divisional and institutional learning and collaboration opportunities to improve quality and effectiveness of services for members.

Creating and leading a positive work culture and practices and efficient and effective delivery of services from both Suva and Noumea SPL offices through highly talented, experienced and empathetic staff and an effective SLT for OneSPC.

• Ensure SPL is fit for purpose, well regarded for its service delivery to the organization, members and fellow CROP and international and professional partners and is the provider of choice for strategic, planning and MEL expertise.

Driving thought leadership and creativity in areas of growth and improvement in response to the Independent Institutional Review and the Review of the Regional Architecture

• Ensure SPC is at the forefront of trends and innovations by integrating emerging technologies, climate-responsive strategies, people centered and evidence-based practices across its programs and operations and its partnership with CROP and other players in the regional architecture.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in leadership and international development, strategic or corporate planning; leadership, public policy; economics; management or project management; international or public administration or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 15 years of work experience in leading change, innovation, doing development differently and in Strategy development, cascading, coherence and reporting
• At least ten years of demonstrated leadership and management experience, whole of portfolio, strategic planning, MEL, policy development and advice, particularly in an international development context
• Proven experience working in or providing high-level advice in development contexts
• Experience in applying monitoring, evaluation and learning evidence to strategic thinking and decision making
• Experience in the design, co design or management of programmes and projects, and thorough knowledge of the project management cycle
• Demonstrated systems thinking
• High emotional intelligence
• Relevant experience in the Pacific

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English (both oral and writing skills)

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and gender-sensitive environment
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

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 Director Strategy Performance & Learning is a band 15 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 5,642‒7,053 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 16,814–21,018 (USD 7,504–9,380; EUR 6,994–8,743). 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: 30 January 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000353

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. What do you see as the key development challenges for SPC, and how would you approach addressing these challenges?
2. Can you share your experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, particularly in strategy development, driving performance, and achieving impactful outcomes for members?
3. Demonstrated experience in guiding, advising, and training senior executives, government representatives, and/or other high-level officials on strategies, performance, and learning analysis is required. Please provide one example that illustrates how you meet this criterion.