Senior Programme Assistant - Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) and Ocean Acidification Monitoring (PIOAC)

• Attractive local package
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• 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 surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The In commemorating the SPC’s 70th anniversary, the 10th Pacific Community Conference agreed to establish the Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science (PCCOS) to be hosted at SPC and become a true flagship for scientific excellence and a dedicated regional science information and knowledge hub. PCCOS leads the design of the SPC Ocean Flagship through consultation with SPC divisions and regional partners, as well as coordinating cross-divisional projects, implemented across SPC divisions (FAME, GEM, CCES). PCCOS is also implementing seed-projects/programmes such as the Pacific Islands Ocean Acidification Centre (PIOAC), the Pacific Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Network and Placement Programme, the Pacific Islands Decade Coordination Centre (PI-DCC), and the Regional Alliance of the Global Ocean Observing System for the Pacific Islands (PIGOOS), that all have regional coordination mandates.    

The role – Senior Programme Assistant – Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) & Ocean Acidification Monitoring (PIOAC) will be responsible to support the PCCOS work on Pacific Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP), assisting with work of the Pacific Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Network and Placement Programme. The position will also assist with the coordination of ocean acidification monitoring and capacity-building activities within PCCOS and GEM division in close collaboration with existing activities in other divisions.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Pacific ECOP Placement Programme

• Assist with the implementation of the Pacific ECOP Placement Programme.
• Support the drafting and signature of Letter of Agreements (LOAs) for ECOP placement with SPC legal services and member governments.
• Update and share the Pacific ECOP onboarding package with new ECOPs.
• Contribute to the development of specific capacity building modules for ECOPs.
• Provide ongoing support to ECOP fellows in member governments to access information and contacts.
• Support the development and distribution of communication materials to effectively disseminate information about ECOP initiatives to a broad range of stakeholders.

Pacific ECOP Network development

• Contribute to the Pacific ECOP Network development.
• Contribute to the management of the Pacific ECOP mailing list by inviting new members and managing existing members.
• Support the creation and implementation of the Pacific ECOP Reference Group to plan upcoming ECOP activities.
• Provide information on the Pacific ECOP Network to the Global ECOP Programme for their monthly newsletters.
• Work with the PCCOS team to improve the visibility of Pacific ECOPs, the Network and various initiatives.

Other ECOP initiatives

• Assist with the coordination, planning, and execution of other ECOP initiatives, such as sending ECOPs to capacity building opportunities, scientific expeditions, conferences, symposiums or UN meetings.
• Assist with desktop research, surveys, case studies, data analysis, and report drafting.
• Support the documentation of lessons learned from ECOP initiatives and share them with relevant stakeholders.
• Help identify potential capacity strengthening opportunities for Pacific ECOPs and other like-minded programmes.

Support to Ocean Acidification Monitoring program

• Assist with coordination and management of OA data, in collaboration with data management personnel and partners to ensure accurate, complete, and consistent data, adherence to international standards and submission of OA data to OA data portals
• Provide assistance to fieldwork for OA monitoring and data collection, including the deployment of ocean acidification equipment, wave buoys, coastal temperature sensors, and other relevant instruments where appropriate. Conduct lab analysis for discreet water samples and assist in data analysis including reporting of data.
• Contribute to capacity-building activities to enhance partners' skills and knowledge related to ocean monitoring where relevant.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualification

• Tertiary qualification (diploma) in ocean science, climate change, environmental science, ocean affairs, international relations, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of work experience in project implementation or support role in member government.
• Experience in youth empowerment and/or employment.
• Excellent team player.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suites, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 2 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Senior Programme Assistant – Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) & Ocean Acidification Monitoring (PIOAC) is band 7 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a commencing taxable salary range of FJD 2,402-3,002 per month, plus local staff benefits. 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.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised locally (EPAL) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides medical and life insurance 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).

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 – 9 November 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000913

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.

Only Fijian citizens are eligible to apply for this role.

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. Please explain the actions you would take to strengthen the network of young professionals like ECOP?
2. To your opinion, what would be the 3 main drivers to develop the ECOP placement programme.
3. Can you please describe your experience and expertise in ocean acidification monitoring techniques and data analysis methods, particularly in the context of the Pacific islands?