Economic Specialist (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture)

• 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 26 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 includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP). CFAP’s goal is to ensure that inshore fisheries, nearshore fisheries and aquaculture in Pacific Island countries and territories are managed and developed sustainably. The programme assists governments and administrations to develop scientifically informed and socially achievable coastal fisheries management policies and procedures (national and community-based). It provides support for sustainable aquaculture, including planning, research and development, aquatic biosecurity and trade, for Pacific Island governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. It assists in developing sustainable nearshore fisheries in Pacific Island countries and territories to provide for food security, sustainable livelihoods, economic growth and assist climate change adaptation.

The role – The Economic Specialist (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) will provide economic and strategic advice and inputs to the CFAP. It aims at mobilising economic theories, tools and methods to effectively support the CFAP achieve tangible changes in sustainable fisheries management, sustainable livelihoods, and sustainable aquaculture development in the 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), in the face of current and future challenges, such as climate change, food security, biodiversity erosion and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Provision of economic and strategic advice and guidance to FAME Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme

• Provide strategic advice and guidance on incorporating appropriate economic components into current CFAP initiatives, planning, and the development of future programmes and projects.
• Foster the effective use of economic theory and tools within CFAP towards tangible outcomes for sustainable coastal fisheries and aquaculture management and development.
• Keep abreast of economic context, challenges and development aspirations of PICTs.

2. Contribution to socio-economic monitoring of coastal fisheries and aquaculture initiatives

• Contribute to the design and implementation of surveys and data collection systems for coastal fisheries and aquaculture projects.
• Provide input to monitoring programmes to ensure reliable and useful socio-economic data are collected.
• Upon SPC member requests, review country soci-economic data collection and analytical systems related to coastal fisheries and/or aquaculture. Provide advice to SPC members on improvements in data collection and analysis procedures.

3. Economic analysis and modelling of coastal fisheries and aquaculture

• Lead CFAP’s economic analysis and economic input by providing cost benefit analysis, value chain analysis, economic modelling and evaluations of coastal fisheries and aquaculture.
• Use economic theory, modelling and analysis to provide fisheries policy advice and information to SPC member PICTs.
• Lead reporting and documenting of results from coastal fisheries and aquaculture economic analysis and modelling.

4. National and community capacity development in support of sustainable coastal fisheries and aquaculture

• Formal, on-the-job training and mentoring of member counterparts on issues related to economic theory, methodologies, and tools towards enhanced policies and practices.

5. Inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration

• Identify collaboration opportunities, develop and promote economic related projects within SPC and other regional and international organisations.
• Liaise and network with key projects and stakeholders to provide economic input and assistance where needed.

6. Support to the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme and project management

• Manage economic projects, including monitoring, finances, reporting and audits, so that donor and SPC internal requirements are met.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in economics, resource/environmental economics or a closely related field.

2. Technical expertise

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in economic data collection, analysis and advice for development projects, government policy or/and proposals.
• Knowledge and experience in preparing and running in-country economic data collection programmes, preferably experience of running programmes remotely via email, telephone or other forms of indirect communication.
• Knowledge and experience of data analysis, including cost-benefit and related analysis, value-chain analysis, descriptive analysis and statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated experience of developing work programmes, budgets and strategies.
• Ability to translate economic analysis into easily understood terms for non-experts.
• Experience providing economic advice to governments, senior officials and fishers or community members.
• Demonstrated experience in providing training courses in the economic, finance or project management areas.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in handling demanding work schedules, and working as part of a team or alone with minimal supervision.
• Experience working with PC computer systems and MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint software.

3. Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English (oral and written) and able to provide succinct reports for a range of audiences.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Experience and ability to work with people from different ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

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 Economic Specialist (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,113–5,045 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 602,042–738,463 (USD 5,717–7,012; EUR 5,045–6,188). 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 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 faire, 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: 17th of October 2021 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: AL000426

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

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

All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening questions

1. Briefly describe an example where you successfully provided economic and strategic advice and guidance to a coastal fisheries and/or aquaculture initiative.
2. With reference to your experience, describe how you would approach a socio-economic monitoring project at a community level.
3. What is the economic rationale for government intervention within a market in the context of coastal fisheries and/or aquaculture?