Senior Systems Developer

• 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 role – Senior Systems Developer will lead a team of system developers in designing, developing, upgrading and maintaining science-based open-source decision support tools and platforms as well as supporting OMP’s geospatial and time series data management and scientific computing facility. The jobholder will be working with national meteorological services and land and survey departments within the region and provide support in maintaining and developing decision support tools and platforms including capacity building activities. The position is a software analyst and engineering position, reporting to the Coordinator Applied Ocean Science in conjunction with technical guidance and oversight with the Team Leader Ocean Prediction and Monitoring within the Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Lead the design, development and life-cycle support of geospatial, planning and risk-based decision support tools, websites and systems

• Design, develop, document and maintain science-based open-source decision support tools such as the Pacific Ocean Portal.
• Develop a system tracking mechanism that notifies issues or when system is down.
• Ensure these systems and tools are accessible and remain fit for purpose.
• Manage and maintain server systems deployed within OMP’s work packages.

Data Management

• Support geospatial and time series data management systems.
• Enable holistic data dissemination and facilitate open access to information and data.
• Support Linux-based high end scientific computing facility.
• Improve accessibility of Pacific Ocean related data through continuous research and investigation.

Capacity Building and Partnership

• Train national staff in the use of ocean and geospatial data.
• Support capacity mapping activities relating to ICT components of national counterparts.
• Develop training materials relevant to NMHS ICT user needs.
• Engage with regional and global partners on ocean data and related infrastructure.

People Management

• Manage the performance and supervise a group of system developers in the development and maintenance of tools and platforms.
• Identify opportunities and organise capacity development activities and for staff and stakeholders.
• Build a strong and effective team capable of providing the highest quality service to member countries and clients.
• Monitor the performance and workloads to ensure that objectives and deadlines are met.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in information technology or related field.

Technical expertise

• 5 years of experience in systems and tool development.
• Proven programming skills in multiple languages including Python.
• Strong understanding of Git/GitHub.
• Experience collaborating with clients to determine their information system requirements.
• Good knowledge of networking, computing hardware and Linux operating systems.
• Experience in conducting technical trainings.        

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 Senior Systems Developer is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,672–9,591 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,191–3,989). 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 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 21st April 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000624

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.

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. Please describe solutions you developed that has been used for decision making-from the design to the production process.
2. Please describe your expertise and capability in working within a Linux environment.
3. What do you think would be the main challenges in developing and implementing mobile applications to disseminate scientific data and information in the Pacific?