Job Description

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific 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 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:

1. 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.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. 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 mission of the Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Council (PGSC) is to provide a regional network and forum for the geospatial information and survey authorities of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) to address regional challenges, such as building the capacity of surveyors, improving and standardising geospatial information gathering and dissemination, maximising economic growth, alleviating poverty, improving natural resource management, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. This will be achieved by coordinating, communicating, and collaborating activities, sharing resources and applications of location information through regional and global partnerships.

The role – Coordinator – Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Council will coordinate and manage the activities of the PGSC partnership desk hosted within SPC. The role involves implementing PGSC activities and ensuring the activities of PGSC are well aligned by identifying gaps, supporting needs assessments, and advocating for strengthening the geospatial and surveying capacity of PICTs. Additionally, the jobholder will represent the partnership desk in relevant forums, conduct stakeholder engagement and work internally within SPC and with partners to secure funding opportunities. 

The key responsibilities of the role include:

PGSC Partnership Desk Management and Resource Mobilisation

• Provide advice on the development of geospatial and surveying capacity in the Pacific Islands region through the preparation of medium-term (3‐5 year) strategies and annual work programmes.
• Facilitate the PGSC Internal Advisory Committee to ensure its effective operation and function.
• Lead and coordinate the development of project concepts and proposals, including drafting of budgets and timelines.
• Provide programme level reporting and review, fulfilling all administrative requirements of PGSC sponsors.
• Ensure that monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities and methods are incorporated into programme implementation and service delivery.

Coordination and Stakeholder Management

• Represent PGSC at relevant national, regional, and international Geospatial and Surveying related meetings.
• Provide advisory and guidance to ensure co‐operation and collaboration between national, regional, and international partners.
• Responsible for effective collaboration and coordination with donors, partners and stakeholders.
• Initiate, develop and maintain working collaborations with regional and international partners on topics and issues on geospatial and surveying data and information.
• Support national counterparts with stakeholder engagement strategies, meetings and workshops.

Information Management, Training and Knowledge Sharing

• Train national staff in the use of geospatial and surveying instruments and data.
• Support capacity mapping activities relating to geospatial and surveying components of national counterparts.
• Develop training materials relevant to geospatial and surveying user needs.
• Manage professional attachments and internship programme.
• Integrate identified knowledge gaps and user requirements into training materials.

Technical advice and country support

• Provide advice and support towards geodesy and geospatial activities, including marine applications.
• Responsible for survey data analysis and precision levelling monitoring surveys.
• Ensure timely production of technical reports as required.
• Support the installation of geodetic infrastructure such as GNSS CORS and tide gauges as required.
• Coordinate geodetic surveys technical activities including six monthly infrastructure maintenance programs at national level.

People Management

• Manage the performance and supervise a group of Technical Assistants and Specialists in the delivery of ocean services and training in the Ocean and Maritime Programme.
• Influence staff and mediate between colleagues to resolve complex and contentious issues.
• Identify opportunities and organise capacity development activities and for staff and stakeholders.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in Surveying or closely related field and 10 years of relevant experience, or, at least 15 years of progressive work experience in the field of geodetic surveying, analysis and reporting, and project management.

Technical expertise

• Pacific regional development experience.
• Previous experience of project management and technical leadership.
• High degree of problem-solving at technical level.
• Strong knowledge into the technical aspects of the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework.
• In-depth knowledge of the institutional context and partners within at least one of the following sectors: (i) lands and surveying, (ii) maritime (iii) meteorological services.
• Experience in stakeholder management and capacity building.
• Computer literacy, experience with computer programming and specialised surveying software packages, e.g. AutoCAD, SKI, LISCAD, LevelPak, Pathfinder, Geomatics, TBC, Terra Model and ASHTECH.
• Expert knowledge in surveying and geodesy relating to horizontal and vertical reference framework, locally, nationally and regionally.
• Experience in capacity development needs and networks.

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 – Until 30 June 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Coordinator – Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Council is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,211–11,513 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,831–4,789). 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 employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. 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 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: 20 October 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000758

Applicants must apply online at

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. Describe your experience in developing medium-term strategies or work programs for regional projects, specifically in geospatial or surveying fields?
2. Please provide an example of a time when you successfully coordinated with national, regional, and international partners in a project. How did you ensure effective collaboration and alignment with global or regional frameworks in your work?
3. Describe you experience in developing and delivering training related to geospatial or surveying technologies?

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