Programme Officer (Pacific Women Lead)

• 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 Human Rights and Social Development Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles.The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.

In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:

• Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
• Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
• Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
• Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.

Pacific Women Lead (PWL) is a new AUD 170 million Pacific regional development program, funded by the Australian Government. The PWL program goal is that Pacific women and girls, in all their diversity, are safe and equitably share in resources, opportunities and decision-making, with men and boys.  The program is embedded in both a global and regional context for gender equality, including the global pandemic and its impacts in terms of deepening gender inequality in the Pacific.

The role – Programme Officer (Pacific Women Lead) will manage a portfolio of grants, provide technical advice, assistance, and capacity building under the Pacific Women Lead program and support planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting at country and regional level.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Provide specialist technical assistance and advice to support the development and implementation of the PWL program

• Work with the PWL program team to support the development and implementation of all regional and country program activities, a key component of which is project management, in accordance with the PWL program.
• Manage a portfolio of PWL at SPC grants to Governments and CSOs in the Pacific
• Establish links with relevant technical specialists, both within the Pacific and internationally, and draw on these to provide technical advice and inputs.

Provide technical assistance, advice and support to PWL stakeholders

• Support the identification of needs for development of gender equality and social inclusion capacities for PWL stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance, advice and support to stakeholders to build capacity in gender equality and social inclusion.

Provide coordination, logistical and financial support to the PWL program team

• Manage and coordinate regional activities and network meetings with program partners, in collaboration with PWL team.
• Represent PWL program and HRSD at national, regional and international forums.

Stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination

• Support stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination to advance divisional objectives at national, regional and institutional levels.
• Provide technical assistance to other SPC Divisions and other regional organizations on gender equality and social inclusion.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning for PWL activities.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in in gender studies, development, social sciences, program management or a related discipline.

Technical expertise

• At least seven years’ experience in a similar role.
• Demonstrated understanding and analysis of contemporary gender issues in the Pacific at both regional and country level; ability to contextualise gender issues.
• Knowledge of organisations (including civil society, government, and private sector) and individual leaders working in various areas of gender equality and issues affecting women across the Pacific.
• Demonstrated capacity to interact with various stakeholders and facilitate linkages between organisations.
• Proven record of accomplishment in coordination and partnership building with donors, governments, development partners and civil society.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of Pacific cultural values and international human rights principles and standards.
• Pacific experience and an in-depth understanding of the human rights (including violence against women), good governance and development challenges in the region.          

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 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Programme Officer (Pacific Women Lead) is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,284‒2,856 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,808–8,509 (USD 3,038–3,798; EUR 2,832–3,540). 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: 7th April 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000595

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. Briefly summarise how your skills and experience meet the key selection criteria, detailed in the job description.
2. Describe your project management capabilities and experience in the Pacific including grant portfolio details such as: volume and total budget of grants managed, type of grants, level of project management complexity, project management tools developed and used for tracking, analysis, reporting and visibility, and any channels for project design and improvements based on evidence. Provide an example to your response.
3. What are three (3) challenges and solutions with project coordination with Government and CSO grant partners in the Pacific.