Project Assistant, FSM Outer Island Electrification Project
Micronesia
- Organization: SPC - Pacific Community
- Location: Micronesia
- Grade: Junior level - Junior
-
Occupational Groups:
- Administrative support
- Renewable Energy sector
- Project and Programme Management
- Waste Management
- Closing Date: 2025-10-12
- Pohnpei-based position
- 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:
- Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management, and capacity development.
- Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
- Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.
The role – the Project Assistant, FSM Outer Island Electrification Project within the Project Management Team (PMT), the position assists with the overall administration of the project activities in the Federated States of Micronesia and coordinates duties associated with the project including travel by project staff and compiling all data for reporting and inputting to project databases. The position will also support the project with communication and outreach work.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Assist with the overall administration of the project
- Assist with coordination and documentation of all the project official files, documents, and publications
- Assist with the regular updating of work plans
- Assist with arranging and participating in project meetings, including teleconferences, and preparation of meeting minutes
- Provide materials for project reports including progress reports and annual reports
- Assist with inputting data to project databases
- Assist with daily operational procedures
- Greeting clients and visitors
- Receiving calls and delivering messages
- Pick-up and delivery of mail
- Support to bank runs
- Step in as driver for MRO
- Pick-up and delivery of official documents
- Assist with processing customs clearance
- Updating and sorting all official files, documents, and publications
- Assist the Energy Coordinator and Project Management Team with other project activities as may be required
Assist with arrangements for travel by project team and all coordination and logistical arrangements for project meetings
- Assist with aspects of travel arrangements for the project team, including obtaining itineraries, completing travel forms on TMS, ticketing, protocol letters, and ensuring all documentation is complete after travel missions are completed
- Assist with organization of all project-related meetings including travel for participants and logistical arrangements
- Assist with arrangement of project events taking into account SPC and DFAT visibility requirements
Assist the project team with communication efforts
- Provide general communications support, including assisting in setting up online meetings, representing SPC at regional events, and coordinating branding activities for key meetings
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Tertiary qualification in business administration, accounting, financial management or a related field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience
Technical expertise
- At least 3 years’ experience in administration in a large organization including experience with logistics, travel, information systems and financial management
- Understanding of project budgeting, financial reporting, donor reporting, audit requirements
- Sound coordination, administrative, networking, and collaborative skills
- Good writing skills
- Valid driver’s license (must)
Language skills
- Fluency in English (written and verbal)
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This position is budgeted until 31 March 2027.
Remuneration – the Project Assistant, FSM Outer Island Electrification Project is a Band 6 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting taxable salary range of USD 28,047–35,058 per year, 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 Pohnpei – SPC provides medical and life insurance for eligible employees. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave. Provident Fund and/or Social Security will be according to FSM’s local legislation.
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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
Please note that applicants must be FSM Nationals currently residing in the country, or hold the proper work permit for salaried employment there.
Application procedure
Closing date: 12 October 2025 – 11:00 pm Noumea time
Job Reference: CR000501
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):
- Can you share an example of a project you’ve supported in FSM that involved working with local communities or government agencies? What was your role and what impact did the project have?
- How do you manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a project support role? Can you describe a time when you had to coordinate logistics or documentation for a field activity?
- What experience do you have in preparing reports, minutes, or correspondence for development projects? How do you ensure accuracy and clarity in your communication?
Position Description
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.