Senior Fisheries Scientist (National and Sub-Regional Science)

• 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 Senior Fisheries Scientist (National and Sub-Regional Science) will provide fisheries science advice including high level technical analyses and reports to sub-regional agencies/groups and individual Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) fisheries agencies, develop novel analytical tools and applications to support fisheries management processes and decisions by SPC member PICTs, lead, co-ordinate, support and run major regional training and capacity building workshops, and provide support to other high impact regional fisheries capacity building programmes as required.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Provide high level support to National and sub-regional fisheries management forums and staff in National fisheries agencies and sub-regional groups

• Provide fisheries science information, interpretation of complex analysis and results, and related advice to senior PICT Government officials, PNA Office personnel, FFA staff, and SPG leaders to support regional fisheries management and policy discussions.
• Represent SPC at high-level regional and sub-regional meetings.
• Provide pre-meeting briefings to FFA, PNA, SPG members as required (i.e. pre-WCPFC and pre-Science Committee).
• Present outcomes of stock assessment information (in both written and oral form) and other complex technical work done by OFP to relevant regional and sub-regional fora.
• Respond in a timely manner to ad hoc requests for advice from PICT fisheries staff, FFA, PNA and SPG.

Develop and implement technical work plans, analyses and tools to inform/support sub-regional/National fisheries science needs and management initiatives

• Develop and conduct tailored work plans and technical analyses to address formal requests for fisheries science/management advice from SPC member countries.
• Develop data presentation tools to support more efficient and informed use of fisheries data by SPC member countries.
• Produce written technical reports, suitable for regional fisheries managers, to summarize the work done and related advice and recommendations.
• Develop data analysis tools, reports/apps. To support real time fisheries management decision.

Line manage/mentor junior staff and Pacific Island Fisheries Professionals and enhance the fisheries science capacity of SPC/PICT and other developing country members of the WCPFC

• Co-ordinate, lead and run major training and capacity building workshops for regional fisheries staff, including the annual saw (stock assessment workshop) and raw (r-assistance workshop).
• Support other ofp and fame fisheries science capacity building activities as required.
• Contribute to capacity building activities for countries under the wpea (west pacific east asia) data improvement project (i.e. Vietnam, philippines and indonesia).

Contribute to improvements in data quality and pre-processing for fisheries analysis

• Use knowledge of end user requirements to develop data pre-processing methods and extraction tools to improve the data sets provided. to end users, including stock assessment scientists, other analysts and National fisheries staff.
• Provide advice and technical guidance on end user requirements to the data management team staff.
• Works with data team to identify issues and improve systems for data quality checks and reducing errors reaching to end user.
• Provide end user perspectives, support and advice to the Principal Scientists of the Stock Assessment and Modelling and Data Management Teams.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Relevant postgraduate qualification, preferably at PhD level in fisheries science, stock assessment, natural resource management, or a related discipline or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least seven years of experience in the development of scientific advice for fisheries management
• At least 3-5 years post-graduate experience in fisheries data, stock assessment principles and techniques in quantitative fisheries science
• Strong quantitative analytical skills with practical experience in data modelling, statistics and programming (particularly in R)
• Demonstrated experience running capacity building and training activities in developing country context
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical reports in English
• Demonstrated ability to meet project deadlines and apply good time management to respond to short-turn around ad hoc requests
• Willingness to travel extensively in the Pacific region

Language skills

• High level presentation and communication skills, in English

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary and multi-cultural team

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 Senior Fisheries Scientist (National and Sub-Regional Science) is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 5,012-6,169 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 732,625-901,722 (USD 6,667-8,205; EUR 6,139-7,556). 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: 21 September 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000478

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. Identify and provide your perspective on some important technical and/or professional development challenges faced by Pacific Islands fisheries management staff.
2. Provide an example of a complex fisheries analysis you have conducted that had an applied outcome in a fisheries management context.
3. Describe some key challenges that Pacific Island countries and territories face in securing the long-term benefits from tuna resources in the western and central Pacific region.