Project Officer - Science Summit Resources

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• 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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The vision of the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) is to be ‘The agency for educational quality in the Pacific region’. Its mission is to enhance the quality of education and training for Pacific learners, so they realize the benefits of lifelong learning. EQAP seeks to promote the following core values within the context of SPC’s corporate values:

• a culture of quality;
• a culture of continuous improvement;
• cultural and political sensitivity;
• respect for the autonomy and priorities of the education system in each Pacific Island country and territory (PICTs); and
• assimilation of the expressed needs of countries in its delivery of technical services.

The role – Project Officer – Science Summit Resources will support the EQAP and National Geographic Society Pristine Seas team in managing the completion, quality assurance, uploading and dissemination of Ocean Science resources created by teams from 14 Pacific Island countries.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Support the Ocean Science project team and Summit participant with project coordination

• Develop and implement a plan and timeline for post-summit project management that includes liaising with countries to develop the regional ocean science curriculum, in collaboration with Pristine Seas and SPC.
• Convene regular project meetings providing support to Summit participants, including Ministries of Education and educators, as they cocreate ocean science educational resources ensuring that they deliver on their action plans.
• Liaise with members of the project team, Pristine Seas, SPC and in-country members to proactively address challenges to the project.

Support the Ocean Science project team with project monitoring and risk management

• Maintain project work plans, timelines and dependencies and budgets in consultation with the project team, EQAP Finance team and EQAP management.
• Measure impact, test, and learn what works well and what could be improved for future planning based on the initial rollout of resources.
• Prepare, monitor, update and share project decision and change logs and project risk registers.
• Provide guidance to project teams and EQAP leadership regarding risk levels and potential impact of mitigation strategies.

Update and report on the Ocean Science project to Pristine Seas and SPC

• Connect at least monthly with the Pristine Seas team with virtual meetings.
• Connect often on informal updates and track asynchronous progress via appropriate means.
• Submit two formal reports that include written updates on the status of deliverables, updated progress, and challenges.

Stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination

• In collaboration and coordination with SPC and Pristine Seas, explore the possibility of a subregional workshop to continue developing resources based on post-summit learning and iterations needed.
• In collaboration and coordination with SPC and Pristine Seas, connect with other Pacific organizations in the ocean education sector to share knowledge, learn trends, build relationships, and share best practices.
• Engage in other Pristine Seas education work as opportunities arise and capacity enabled.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field such as project management, business administration, financial management or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 3 years of experience supporting projects or project administration.
• Solid working knowledge of project management in the Pacific context.
• Demonstrated experience with a variety of project management tools and processes, gained through formal education or hands-on professional experience.
• Strong organizational and knowledge management skills.
• Background in education is an advantage.
• Experience working in a Pacific education system (teacher, ministry level).        

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 – 1 year – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Project Officer – Science Summit Resources is band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,146‒2,683 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,460–8,075 (USD 2,854–3,568; EUR 2,629–3,286). 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 staff employees on temporary contracts – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. Relocation airfares, excess luggage, health and life and disability insurances are available for employees. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, prorated on contract length 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: 31 August 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000103

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. What particular project management strengths would you bring to this role?
2. Please describe from your experience, what are the stages or steps in the cycle of project management.
3. What are some of the project management challenges that could be encountered when implementing education projects across the Pacific region, and how could they be addressed?