Communications Officer - Design and Outreach

Job Description

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, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides effective expert scientific advice, capacity building and services on conservation, development and utilisation of plant genetic resources, forest and landscape management, resilient agricultural systems, diversification of livelihood strategies and access to markets to maintain ecosystem services and improve land productivity and the food, nutrition security and resilience of Pacific communities. LRD has expertise in genetic resource conservation, resilient agriculture, biosecurity, pest and disease management, agricultural extension, plant pathology, entomology and animal health. It collaborates with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to pinpoint the needs and priorities of Pacific countries and communities and provide technical expertise to address them. This mission is realised through four main thematic work areas, or pillars, and a progressively integrated approach to programming that works towards achieving SPC’s development goals.

The role – Communications Officer - Design and Outreach will contribute to creative design, development and delivery of print and digital communication products and campaigns and work with team members for the production of information, communication, knowledge, education, promotion and advocacy materials relevant to climate change and resilience, regenerative agriculture, food and nutrition security, healthy ecosystem and institutional effectiveness in the Land Resources Division.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Facilitate the design, development and delivery of communication and knowledge products and campaigns across LRD’s thematic areas and programmes

• Develop communications and knowledge products, campaigns and relevant templates for LRD’s thematic areas and programmes.
• Research and develop innovative, up-to-date and relevant digital communication products for increased visibility in the region and internationally.
• Assist in the implementation of information, communication and knowledge strategies and plans.
• Provide assistance on communication channels and strategies considering varying audiences, target groups and donor needs.

Work with LRD communications team, programme teams and or external service providers to produce effective information, communication, educational, knowledge and promotional materials in digital and traditional formats

• Conceptualise and develop communications, promotional and knowledge materials including newsletters, brochures, leaflets, posters and audio-visual materials where relevant.
• Offer appropriate support to LRD in safeguarding SPC branding and identity of material resources where required.
• Ensure the conversion of success stories and articles into digital products to enhance LRD performance and storytelling capabilities.
• Coordinate the translation of LRD communication and knowledge products into local languages where appropriate.
• Support LRD’s promotion and visibility including digital resources at national and regional events.

Support the development and updating of the LRD website, SharePoint and social media channels

• Work with the ICKM Adviser and web designer to identify improvements and design of the LRD website including maintenance and regular updates as needed.
• Maintenance of LRD’s SharePoint and knowledge repository ensuring key documents and files are accessible to all staff.
• Work with the digital library team to ensure new knowledge or evidence or publications are available on the digital library.
• Assist in the development of a regular stream of digital products and photos to highlight progress across all PICTs.
• Support public relation events and launches including awareness campaigns and events.

Contribute to capacity building within LRD to implement communication strategies and plans across programmes and thematic areas including assistance on conceptualising knowledge management products.

• Assess ICKM capacity and related gaps in the promotion and communication campaigns in PICTs and identifying gaps.
• Identify potential training areas (ICKM related) for LRD communications and general staff to support implementation, monitoring and evaluation of LRD’s programmes and projects
• Assist with conceptualising knowledge and communications products for LRD for improved visibility and facilitation of national and regional workshops or events

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, graphic design and digital media or other relevant field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of experience in communications and graphic design or digital media in a similar context.
• Demonstrated extensive experience and skills in designing and developing creative and innovative communications products and campaigns.
• Experience in providing capacity building or on the job training in communications and on different mediums.
• Understanding of the media and communications environment in PICTs.
• Good understanding of publication processes, digital design technology and the production of audio-visual materials.
• Understanding of advocacy and public relations

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 – 31 December 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Communications Officer - Design and Outreach is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,146‒2,683 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,460–8,075 (USD 2,854–3,568; EUR 2,629–3,286). 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 1,500–5,200 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 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 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: 11 January 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000160

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. More development organisations now use creative and participatory ways to convey their messages to effectively engage stakeholders. List 3 ways you would communicate to meaningfully engage Land Resources Division stakeholders and the tools and skills you would bring to accomplish this?
2. Give one example of how you have previously used communications to drive positive change, ideally toward a development outcome. Please describe the impact this had.
3. Often scientific and technical concepts and project results are communicated in ways that cannot be easily accessible for the general reader. Describe your approach to working with technical specialists to develop materials and products that are easy to read, influential and impactful?

About the Organization

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, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

More Information