JOB DESCRIPTION
| Job Title: | Programme Officer, Republic of Marshall Islands |
|---|---|
| Division: | Micronesia Regional Office (MRO) |
| Location: | Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands |
| Reports to: | Director, Micronesia Regional Office with matrix reporting to SPC HRSD Team Leader – Human Rights & Governance |
| Number of Direct Reports: | 0 |
| Purpose of Role: | The purpose of this role is to support programme coordination, implementation and delivery of SPC’s services in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. |
| Date: | March 2026 |
Organisational Context and Organisation Chart
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. Owned and governed by 27 Pacific Island countries and territories, SPC works across more than 25 sectors to support sustainable development and improve the lives of Pacific people.
SPC provides technical and scientific expertise in areas including fisheries, public health, statistics, climate science, geoscience, and food systems. Through its regional and country presence, SPC supports member governments to address development challenges and strengthen national capabilities.
The Micronesia Regional Office (MRO), based in Pohnpei, serves SPC members across the North Pacific and facilitates coordination of SPC programmes and partnerships in the sub-region.
Purpose of Role
The Programme Officer for the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) supports the coordination, implementation and monitoring of SPC’s work programme in-country.
Working closely with the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the position facilitates coordination between SPC divisions, the Micronesia Regional Office, and national stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of SPC’s technical and scientific services aligned with national priorities.
The role contributes to strengthening SPC’s country presence and supports the integration of cross-cutting priorities including gender equality, human rights and social inclusion within SPC programmes implemented in RMI.
Key Result Areas:
The Programme Officer position encompasses the following major Key Result Areas in support of SPC's services and programme implementation and delivery in RMI.
KRA 1: Coordination of SPC services and country engagement (25%)
KRA 2: Support Implementation and Monitoring of the RMI Country Programme (25%)
KRA 3: Promote Human Rights, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (35%)
KRA 4: Communication, Reporting and Knowledge Sharing (15%)
The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below.
| Job holder is accountable for | Job holder is successful when |
|---|---|
| KRA 1: Coordination of SPC services and country engagement (25%) - Serve as the primary in-country liaison between SPC and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. - Facilitate coordination between SPC divisions and national ministries to support effective programme and projects delivery. - Support alignment of SPC technical assistance with national development priorities and sector strategies. | - Strong coordination of SPC programmes across divisions in RMI. - Positive working relationships with government counterparts and development partners. - Increased visibility and coherence of SPC support in-country. |
| - Coordinate strategic engagements between SPC leadership, divisions and national partners. - Support the planning and facilitation of SPC missions and technical visits to RMI. | |
|---|---|
| KRA 2: Support Implementation and Monitoring of the RMI Country Programme (25%) - Support the implementation and monitoring of SPC's Country Programme and related activities in RMI. - Coordinate annual reflection meetings and programme review processes with national stakeholders and SPC divisions. - Track progress of programme activities and support reporting on results. - Facilitate collaboration across SPC divisions to support integrated programme delivery. | - Effective monitoring and coordination of country programme activities. - Timely reporting on programme progress and results. - Strengthened alignment between SPC programmes and national priorities. |
| KRA 3 Promote Human Rights, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (25%) - Provide technical assistance in the design and delivery of human rights, gender equality and social inclusion work in RMI and other SPC members in Micronesia. - Support the integration of human rights, gender equality and social inclusion across SPC programmes implemented in RMI and other SPC members in Micronesia. - Facilitate collaboration with relevant government ministries, civil society organisations and development partners. - Support activities related to SPC's Gender Equality Flagship and Women in Leadership initiatives where relevant. - Assist with planning and coordination of awareness activities, consultations and capacity-building initiatives. | - Feedback from RMI and other SPC members in Micronesia is that the technical assistance provided is of value. - Cross-cutting priorities integrated within SPC programmes in RMI. - Increased and maintained collaboration with national partners on inclusive development initiatives. - Effective coordination with HRSD on relevant programme activities. |
| KRA 4: Communication, Reporting and Knowledge Sharing (25%) - Prepare briefing notes, reports and analytical summaries on SPC activities in RMI. - Facilitate communication and information sharing between SPC divisions, MRO and national stakeholders. - Support reporting requirements to SPC management, partners and donors. - Work with SPC Communications teams to highlight programme achievements and results. - Support monitoring, evaluation and learning processes in collaboration with the Strategy, Planning and Learning Division. | - High-quality reports and briefing materials delivered in a timely manner. - Improved visibility of SPC's work and impact in RMI. - MEL and reporting requirements met. |
Note
The above performance standards are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this position will need further discussion between the job holder and supervisor as part of the performance development process.
Work Complexity:
Most challenging duties typically undertaken:
- Coordination of diverse programmes and projects across RMI.
- Managing expectations and setting priorities within resourcing and funding constraints.
- Working across SPC technical and scientific divisions and a diverse range of partners and stakeholders.
- Keeping up with a wide range of programme issues, across diverse sectors with multiple partners and stakeholders.
- Delivery and implementation in line with national context.
- Understanding and synthesising technical information and communicating the strategic significance of that information across SPC Divisions and stakeholders.
- Multi-tasking in a complex multi stakeholder environment. High workloads requiring prioritization in an often-intense environment for time and attention.
- Liaising directly with high-level internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the SPC, with sufficient understanding of SPC corporate and business operations to communicate the tasks and priorities effectively.
Functional Relationships & Relationship Skills:
| Key internal and/or external contacts | Nature of the contact most typical |
|---|---|
| External Key external contacts are: - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and national sector ministries - National SPC focal points in line Ministries and agencies - Development partners and donors - Regional organisations and CROP agencies - Civil society organisations and consultants | - Email and phone communication to arrange meetings and pass on correspondence for the Director - Direct interaction for consultation, planning and implementation in terms of finance and administration and meeting/training management - Preparing reports and supporting documentation - Providing information and guidance especially relating to budgets and payments - Courtesy, providing and receiving information, explaining things to people, clarifying country/partner/donor work requirements - Interacting, gaining assistance, resolving minor conflicts. |
| Internal Key internal contacts are: - Regional Director for Micronesia - Director, Human Rights and Social Development Division - Executive office | - Face-to-face and remote communication, both in distributing and receiving information - Teamwork, collaborating, receiving and providing technical input - Courtesy, giving and receiving information, explaining things to people, clarifying needs |
| - SPC Senior Leadership Team - SPC Divisional Directors and staff - SPC Operations and Integration staff | - Interacting, gaining assistance, resolving minor conflicts |
|---|
Level of Delegation:
Routine Expenditure Budget: 0 EUR
Budget Sign off Authority without requiring approval from direct supervisor: 0 EUR
Person Specification:
This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level. (This does not necessarily reflect what the current position holder has.) This may be a combination of knowledge / experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies.
Qualifications
| Essential: | Desirable: |
|---|---|
| - Degree in a relevant field such as management and administration, human rights, law, gender, international relations or other relevant social science from a recognized university or equivalent body of knowledge and experience. | - Specific training qualification on monitoring and evaluation, human rights, gender, and social inclusion. - Knowledge of the Marshallese language and cultural is an advantage - Diploma or certificate courses in program/project management. - Certificate/Diploma/Degree in Management or related field |
Knowledge / Experience
| Essential: | Desirable: |
|---|---|
| - At least 7 years of program management experience in development projects specifically in the areas of women in leadership and/or gender equality and social inclusion and/or human rights... - Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience performing administrative and coordination functions. - Sound and applied knowledge of work planning, budgeting and financial control, results-based management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. - Excellent analytical, organizational skills, and abilities to work effectively in a matrix team structure. - Demonstrated experience in in finance and administration. | - Experience with the corporate systems used by SPC. - Ability to work under minimum supervision. - Good working knowledge of the Pacific. - Experience in a Regional or International organization will be an added advantage. - Experience with relevant development work in the Pacific. |
| - Sound experience in logistics management inclusive of travel for workshops and training programs. |
|---|
Key Skills /Attributes / Job Specific Competencies
The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level:
| Expert level | - Excellent written and oral communication skills - Effective stakeholder management skills - Efficiency in time management - Financial systems - Professional skills - Planning and organising - Prioritization of tasks - Project administration and support |
|---|---|
| Advanced level | - A good grasp of written and spoken English - Familiarity with the use of financial and travel management systems - Attention to detail - Decision making/problem solving - Report writing |
| Working Knowledge | - Resolving issues or conflicts |
| Awareness | - Knowledge of SPC operations and a good understanding of requirements of sectional Programmes. - Awareness of national priorities and political context of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. |
Key Behaviours
All employees are measured against the following *Key Behaviours** as part of Performance Development:*
- Change and Innovation
- Interpersonal Skills
- Teamwork
- Promotion of Equity and Equality
- Judgement
Personal Attributes
- High level of professional integrity and ethics
- Friendly demeanour
- Demonstrated high level commitment to customer service
- Ability to think and act on initiative and find solutions
- Highly motivated and strong affinity to teamwork
Change to Job Description:
From time to time, it may be necessary to consider changes in the Job Description in response to the changing nature of our work environment – including technological requirements or statutory changes. Such changes may be initiated as necessary by the Micronesian Regional Office. This Job Description may be reviewed as part of the preparation for performance planning for the annual performance cycle.