Pacific
Community
Communauté
du Pacifique
JOB DESCRIPTION
Organisational Context
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 Members. We work for the well-being of Pacific people through the effective and innovative application of science and knowledge, guided by a deep understanding of Pacific island contexts and cultures (https://www.spc.int/).
SPC's Division of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) capability has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 65 years. The goal of SPC FAME is that the fisheries resources of the Pacific island's region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. In pursuit of this goal, SPC FAME provides scientific and management advice to Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and regional agencies to support the management of sustainable oceanic fisheries, coastal fisheries, marine ecosystems and aquaculture development. Along with addressing the challenges in the management of the region's marine resources, there are also significant opportunities to derive greater economic and social benefits from them. Deriving greater benefits from the tuna fisheries, the development of aquaculture in the region, along with alternative livelihoods in coastal fisheries, hold significant potential. SPC FAME provides technical assistance to support PICTs to maximise these sustainable development opportunities in the marine sector and in some parts of the freshwater sector.
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SPC FAME is composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecosystems Programme (MEP). The Director's Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the three programmes and cross-cutting projects. Working with all 22 PICTs, SPC FAME has strong partnerships with regional, sub-regional and national entities working in the marine and aquaculture sectors. SPC FAME staff are based in New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tonga, with most of the staff being based in New Caledonia.
The SPC FAME CFAP provides science and technical support to PICT governments and administrations to enhance the effective management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods. CFAP assists PICTs to develop scientifically informed and socially achievable coastal fisheries management policies and procedures. CFAP provides PICTs support for sustainable aquaculture, including planning, research and development, aquatic biosecurity and trade, for governments, the private sector, communities and other stakeholders. CFAP assists in developing sustainable nearshore fisheries to provide for food security, sustainable livelihoods, economic growth, assist with climate change adaptation, and address new and evolving challenges to coastal fisheries and aquaculture in the region.
The Coastal Fisheries Scientist is a key position in SPC FAME CFAP, coordinating and implementing the coastal and nearshore fisheries science work of FAME and supporting the CFAP Principal Fisheries Scientist (Coastal & Nearshore Fisheries) in monitoring and evaluating the strategic direction and achievements of the CFAP Science section. The focus of the position will be on the development, refinement and documentation of achievable, robust methodologies to assess and monitor the status of locally-prioritised coastal fishery stocks in relation to their sustainability and to work with FAME information and data activities in estimating production, and to provide support to the Management and Aquaculture sections, and FAME more broadly, in their work of advising SPC's Pacific Island clients in making evidence-informed decisions.
Key Result Areas (KRAs):
KRA#1: Provide support and training to PICT members to enhance science capacity and capability in coastal living resources data collection, entry, quality control, analysis, interpretation and reporting in support of sustainable management.
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KRA#2: Contribute to the design and implementation of assessments of coastal living resources, the development and application of innovative tools and approaches for data collection, data management and reporting to inform coastal fisheries management.
KRA#3: Promote inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration with partners in coastal fisheries and aquaculture science in support of evidence-based management.
KRA#4: Contribute to Section administration and communication.
The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below
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The above performance requirements are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this job will need further discussion between the jobholder and supervisor as part of the performance
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development process. Many of the outputs described here will only be achieved through teamwork. The incumbent will not be solely responsible for achieving them.
Most Challenging Duties Typically Undertaken (Complexity):
- Trying to standardise and collaborate on data collection and monitoring systems for coastal finfish and invertebrate fisheries and their habitats with countries, NGOs and others involved in this area when many want to work in isolation using different approaches.
- Assisting with establishing functional coastal fisheries monitoring programmes with local staff in-country with them taking ownership and conducting the monitoring programme themselves.
- Providing training in coastal fisheries monitoring and data collection, data entry into database and data analysis with local staff, with them being competent in all areas after the training.
- Providing sound scientific advice based on the best available data for management purposes and providing management options. Usually in data-poor situations.
- Working closely and in collaboration with other components of the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme to achieve joint outcomes and strengthen linkages with other agencies.
- Providing input to the development of national policies and legislation (stakeholder consultation, moderating expectations, assessing technical feasibility, coordination between the different sectors involved, timing to progress different stages).
- Working for extended periods in the field, often in infrastructure-poor situations with limited resources.
Functional Relationships & Relationship Skills:
Level of Delegation:
Routine Expenditure Budget: Manages up to EUR 75,000 per year.
Budget Sign off Authority without requiring approval from direct supervisor: EUR 50
Person Specification:
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This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level. (This does not necessarily reflect what the current position holder has.) This may be a combination of knowledge / experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies.
Qualifications
Knowledge/Experience
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Key Skills/Attributes/Job Specific Competencies
The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level:
Key Behaviours
All employees are measured against the following *Key Behaviours** as part of Performance Development:*
- Change and Innovation
- Interpersonal Skills
- Judgement
- Promotion of Equity and Equality
- Teamwork
Personal Attributes
- High level of professional integrity and ethics
- Friendly demeanour
- Demonstrated high level commitment to customer service
Change to Job Description:
From time to time, it may be necessary to consider changes in the job description in response to the changing nature of the work environment – including technological requirements or statutory changes. Such change may be initiated as necessary by SPC. This Job Description may also be reviewed as part of the preparation for performance planning for the annual performance cycle.
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