Governance Adviser - Promoting Just, Engaged, Civic-minded and Transparent Governance in the Pacific Project

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation 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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 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: Governance for human rights and social development: strengthen inclusive, transparent and active governance for human rights and social development.
• Objective 2: Gender equality and social inclusion: mobilise, empower and build conditions for gender equality, equity and social inclusion in society and development.
• Objective 3: Culture: promote, preserve and protect positive expressions of culture.
• Objective 4: Social innovation and learning: enhance knowledge, learning and innovative solutions to accelerate impact on human development priorities.

The role – Governance Adviser - PROJECT Governance will be responsible for supporting the Project Coordinator - PROJECT Governance with their responsibility for the overall leadership of the ‘Promoting Just, Engaged, Civic-minded and Transparent Governance in the Pacific’ (‘PROJECT Governance’) project. A key component of this role is to deliver on the operational aspects of the project and will also manage and develop direct reports.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Operational aspects of project delivery and management
• Strategic planning, policy and programming advice
• Stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination
• Operational aspects of technical assistance to mainstreaming a People-centred Approach to development

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant field such as public administration, economics, business, law or social sciences

Knowledge and experience

• At least 10 years of project management experience
• Expertise in supporting democratic governance reforms
• Experience working with counterparts at various levels of government and the non-government sector in managing international development assistance projects      

Essential skills

• Advanced knowledge of democratic governance and human rights standards, systems, frameworks and strategies
• Leadership and management skills, including staff performance management
• Ability to lead teams working remotely across multiple locations

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years

Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.

Remuneration – The Governance Adviser - PROJECT Governance is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,015‒3,769 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,107–11,383 (USD 4,191–5,239; EUR 3,699–4,624). 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 – 5 May 2021 at 11:45pm Fiji time

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
• contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. These documents may be requested at a later stage.

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. The Pacific Community does not support dual spouse employment.

Please ensure that you respond to all the screening questions.  If you do not respond to the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening Questions: 

1. Please define good governance and provide an example of when you have been able to institute democratic governance reforms, preferably within the Pacific context.
2. Please identify three priority areas of democratic governance in the Pacific that require reform and strengthening. Select one and briefly outline how you would establish a good governance framework and approach in this area.
3. This role requires working across multiple locations and excellent communication skills. Please provide examples of how you have previously and successfully; (i) lead a team across multiple locations and worked with multiple stakeholders; and (ii) communicated governance principles and achieved behavioural change as a result.