Programme Coordinator (Regional Fisheries Research Vessel)

• 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 is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role – the Programme Coordinator (Regional Fisheries Research Vessel) will support the FAME Director to oversee and project manage the ‘Pacific Fisheries and Oceans Science Research Vessel’ project. The key responsibilities of the role include monitoring overall vessel construction phase to ensure planned results and milestones are being met; track progress against results frameworks; developing and reporting on budgets and expenditure; coordinate all project narrative and financial reporting requirements; resource mobilisation and negotiation with donors; and ensure all project phases meet SPC and donor policies and procedures.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Lead, plan and manage RFRV project

• Provides executive support to the FAME Director to effectively and efficiently project manage the RFRV project.
• Coordinates with SPC Procurement and SPC Legal on all aspects of contracting and procurement of goods and services.
• Liaise with the SPC appointed Vessel Design and Construction Support Service Provider and Vessel Shipyard Construction Company throughout vessel construction using SPC systems to monitor and report on compliance with the achievement of the scope of work and projected milestones, known and forecast challenges to the construction schedule and any proposed corrective actions.
• Coordinate and provide executive support to SPC in-house cross-Divisional consultations and partnerships supporting the acquisition and eventual operations of the RFRV.
• Supervise a small team of technical specialists to provide strategic advice and ensure project milestones are achieved to required standards.

Coordinate SPC and donor related project narrative, financial reporting and project monitoring and evaluation

• Collaborate with SPC Finance to prepare, monitor, review and report on RFRV project budget.
• Tracks and adjusts RFRV projects’ budget and expenditure
• Ensure that all reporting complies with SPC policies and procedures and donor requirements.
• Works with the FAME Director and section heads to ensure projects’ monitoring and evaluation tasks are undertaken and comply with SPC and donor requirements.
• Coordinates with FAME PMEL team on external mid-term and final project review to assess impacts of delivery.

Coordinate resource mobilisation for RFRV construction and operations

• Collaborates and coordinates with SPC Resource Mobilisation specialists and SPC’s Office for Partnerships, Integration, & Resource Mobilisation to ensure that sufficient resources are raised for vessel construction.
• Liaises with current and potential RFRV donors on progress and emerging resource needs.

Support strategic oversight, develop efficient operational systems, partnership, and collaboration with other SPC divisions, our members, and partners for RFRV operations

• Vessel governance scheme is developed and implemented in liaison with SPC divisions and Pacific member countries.
• Develop and implement a Communications Strategy for SPC colleagues, SPC member countries and territories and partners throughout RFRV construction and commissioning.
• Build strong partnership relationships to determine strategic needs.
• Provide strategic advice to the FAME Director and SPC Executive on resource needs for vessel operations, including provision of operational cost recovery analyses
• Liaise with the research community, partners, SPC members and SPC Divisions to implement annual cycles of research cruises.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Programme Management, International Business Administration Engineering, Ship Management (particularly blue water research vessel) or similar disciplines.

Technical expertise

• At least 15 years of direct experience in project or programme management.
• Demonstrated marine experience, with a sound knowledge of Flag, Class, State and other maritime compliance requirements.
• A proven ability to lead and oversee implementation of complex project in a dynamic multi-disciplinary team environment, including the ability to effectively manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated history of anticipating and successfully managing complex problems.
• A proven record of effective team management, previous accountability for a small project team, strong communication skills and the capability to motivate staff.
• Demonstrated experience in developing complex budgets and provision of reports that meet donor needs.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Project Management Software and Microsoft 365 PC Operating Systems.
• Willingness to travel and undertake overseas assignments.

Language skills

• Excellent and proficient communication skills in English (oral and written) with the capacity to engage with professional and technical staff.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 31 December 2027 – is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Programme Coordinator (Regional Fisheries Research Vessel) is a band 13 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 5,438–6,701 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 804,323–991,168 (USD 7,232–8,912; EUR 6,740–8,306). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be 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 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 bilinguism, 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:  11 November 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: KK000061

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 (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. How would you identify specific challenges associated with designing vessel-based marine scientific surveys in the Pacific Islands region?
2. In no more than three sentences describe your experience with shipyards and ship construction?
3. Describe an application of your strongest project management skill.