Nearshore Fisheries Development and Livelihoods Officer

• 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 includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP). CFAP’s goal is to ensure that inshore fisheries, nearshore fisheries and aquaculture in Pacific Island countries and territories are managed and developed sustainably. The programme assists governments and administrations to develop scientifically informed and socially achievable coastal fisheries management policies and procedures (national and community-based). It provides support for sustainable aquaculture, including planning, research and development, aquatic biosecurity and trade, for Pacific Island governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. It assists in developing sustainable nearshore fisheries in Pacific Island countries and territories to provide for food security, sustainable livelihoods, economic growth and assist climate change adaptation.

The role – the Nearshore Fisheries Development and Livelihoods Officer will provide advice and support to strengthen, manage, and implement the coastal fisheries development and livelihoods related work programme of the Livelihoods Unit of the Coastal Fisheries Management and Livelihoods Section.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Provides planning and practical advice to members on nearshore fisheries development, post-harvest handling, value adding and related livelihood activities.

• Facilitates and contributes to feasibility studies and planning of sustainable nearshore fisheries development and livelihood initiatives, including, but not limited to, small-scale tuna fishing, deep-water slope fishing, bait fishing, squid fishing, tourism-based sport fishing, post-harvest handling, and value adding.
• Liaises with PICTs’ fisheries administrations and the private sector to keep abreast of developments and aspirations and assist the Nearshore Fisheries Development and Livelihoods Specialist to build these into the Unit’s work programme.
• Responds to ad-hoc requests from PICTs’ fisheries administrations and private sector for nearshore fisheries technical information and advice.
• Assists PICTs to develop, investigate, and test new fisheries development initiatives as part of pilot projects before a wider (regional) promotion of initiatives occurs.
• Assists PICTs to develop, implement, and promote joint projects with other international or regional organisations, to draw on the strengths of all involved.
• Promotes collaboration with other sections within SPC on issues such as food security, small-scale livelihoods, by-catch mitigation, food systems, human rights, gender, social inclusion, and climate change adaptation.
• Keeps abreast of coastal/nearshore fisheries developments, livelihoods diversification (e.g. water-based tourism, value adding of food-fish and non-food-fish products, agriculture, etc), sea safety advances, to inform the unit’s work programme.

Coordinates, advises, and supports practical capacity building assistance to members on nearshore fishing techniques, safety at sea, post-harvest handling, value adding and related livelihood activities.

• Provides advice and training in fish-handling and value-adding for nearshore fishing operations.
• Provides support, technical assistance, and training in all aspects of anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (aFADs) and nearshore fishing techniques.
• Facilitates training in post-harvest handling, processing, value-adding (food and non-food marine based products), strengthening market access for nearshore fishing operations.
• Provides technical assistance and training in all aspects of small boat safety for nearshore fishers and operations.
• Provides inputs to national projects orchestrated by the country/territory Fisheries Development Officers.
• Provides support in post-disaster needs assessment covering the small-scale fisheries sector.
• Identifies and advises on innovative options for alternative or supplementary livelihoods.

Coordinates, advises and supports practical assistance to members in the design, development, and delivery of appropriate nearshore fisheries development and livelihoods, awareness raising, and educational information and materials.

• Contributes to the production of the Section’s resource materials, including technical manuals, information and training packages and reports.
• Assists with the review of technical content, printing and distribution of resource materials, in collaboration with the SPC FAME Information Unit and PICTs.
• Provides input to the production of fisheries educational and awareness materials, in collaboration with the SPC FAME Information Unit and member PICTs.
• Expands the use of digital technology and social media for promoting section activities and raising awareness more broadly.

Section administration, communication, and collaboration within and across SPC sections, programmes, divisions, SPC members and partners.

• Assists the Principal Fisheries Adviser (Management and Livelihoods) and Nearshore Fisheries Development & Livelihoods Specialist (FDLS) to develop the annual work plans and reports for the Unit.
• Acquits any cash advances for fieldwork activities in a timely manner.
• Contributes where applicable to programme, divisional and corporate publications, such as fisheries newsletters, annual reports, and divisional reports for Heads of Fisheries and the Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture.
• Produces reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity, including technical reports and trip reports, and input to funding proposals and donor reports.
• Fills in for Management and Livelihoods Section staff when they are on leave or duty travel, when required.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in nearshore fisheries development, fishing technology, or a related discipline.
• Technical maritime qualification or recognized fishing skipper or fishing master’s qualification.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of direct relevant experience working and advising on tropical nearshore fisheries development in the Pacific region or other tropical regions.
• Knowledge and experience in a range of fishing gears and techniques e.g. deepwater fishing, midwater fishing, pole and line fishing, bait fishing, longline fishing, night fishing techniques, especially small-scale and medium-scale nearshore fishing methods.
• Experience in seamanship, safety at sea, and fishing technologies training.
• Experience in nearshore fisheries post-harvest handling, value-adding, non-extractive livelihood activities.
• Experience in anchored Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) design, construction, site surveys, and deployment methods.
• Experience working with PC systems and MS Office/365 and Teams software.
• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English, with the capacity to engage effectively with government, public and community audiences.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a complex work environment with the patience, creativity, and to deal with institutional and cultural challenges.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – the Nearshore Fisheries Development and Livelihoods Officer is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,568–4,364 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 527,770–645,457 (USD 4,745–5,804; EUR 4,423–5,409). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing 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 matching 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 7 April 2024 – 11:00 pm, Noumea time

Job Reference: CR000209

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

1. Please describe a recent experience you had in planning and implementing nearshore fisheries development or livelihoods capacity enhancement activity.
2. What do you see as the main opportunities and issues for nearshore fisheries development, particularly in post-harvest and value adding livelihood activities across the Pacific Islands communities?
3. If you had to explain and demonstrate fish drying and fish smoking to communities, what information tools would you use: if you are targeting Pacific Island communities in general and if you are targeting a specific community, or a specific area.