Team Leader - Policy and Governance

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation 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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 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 Division (GEM) 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 other two focus areas within this division are Programming and Operations, which is responsible for driving integrated programming excellence and operational support across the division, and Earth and Marine Observation, which is responsible for providing diverse, integrated, and unique and demand-driven services across SPC work programmes, projects and countries.

The role – Team Leader – Policy and Governance is one of four senior positions within the Georesources and Energy Programme of the Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division. This position is responsible for effective coordination of tasks with PICTs and donor agencies in policy and governance. Key focus areas will be on providing advice to PICTs on policy matters, participating in GEP’s resource mobilisation efforts, and coordinating SPC’s effort in assisting PICTs to develop or review national policies, laws and regulations pertaining to the management of georesources and energy. The Team Leader will work with teams across the GEM Division in policy and governance domains and will also be working with internal and external counterparts to develop and progress joint energy efficiency and relevant policy proposals for submission to donors and partners.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Managing the policy and governance team
• Spearheading fundraising efforts for energy efficiency
• Coordinating the development of national policy and legislation
• Coordinating the development and review of regional frameworks and monitoring their implementation progress

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as natural resources management, law, policy, or international development

Knowledge and experience

• At least 10 years of experience in the georesources and energy sectors
• At least 5 years of leadership experience at a project or programme management level
• Experience in the development of legal instruments related to natural resources
• Research and analysis experience, including in-depth knowledge in at least one of the sectors
• Previous experience working with donors and developing country partners
• Awareness of the status of PICTs energy policies and legislation

Essential skills

• Strategic planning and organisational development skills
• Innovative and critical thinking skills
• Ability to prioritise and deliver timely and high-quality project outputs and outcomes

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
• Ability to engage with donors, partners and other stakeholders

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – until 31 December 2022

Remuneration – The Team Leader – Policy and Governance is a Band 12 position in SPC’s 2020 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,478‒4,348 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,365–12,956 (USD 4,800–6,000; EUR 4,278–5,348). 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 1,353–3,025 per month. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and 30 days of sick leave per annum, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Equal opportunity – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit; in cases where two short-listed candidates are judged to be of equal rank by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

Child protection – SPC is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. SPC’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Police clearance – Successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate.

Application procedure

Closing Date – 30 April 2020

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
• contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. These documents may be requested at a later stage.

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. The Pacific Community does not support dual spouse employment.

Please ensure that you respond to all the screening questions.  If you do not respond to the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening Questions:

1. This is a senior role within the Georesources and Energy Programme. Please share your experience in coordinating or developing regional frameworks, national policies and laws governing energy and georesources.
2. This position will be responsible for spearheading the energy efficiency work of GEP. Can you please explain your experience in assisting Pacific Island Countries and Territories or other developing countries to increase the uptake of energy efficient electrical appliances.
3. This role will be actively involved in resource mobilisation/fundraising for GEP. Please explain any successful resource mobilisation efforts that you have been recently involved in and describe the strategy that you used to secure the funding or partnership.

For more information please click here.
Source: Pacific Community (SPC)