Curator - Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT)

Job Description

The role - Curator will be responsible for the staff in the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) Genebank, ensuring the effective and efficient management of ex-situ (tissue culture, seed, cryopreservation, field, screen house and cold-storage) collections of plant genetic resources (crops and tree species including landraces, breeding lines, wild relatives and endangered species). The incumbent will manage the medium- and long-term storage in a base and active collection, safety duplication, characterization, evaluation, multiplication and regeneration of accessions and their proper documentation in appropriate information management systems. The incumbent will also collaborate with key institutions in the Pacific and globally and will facilitate and monitor the availability of crop and tree species to all users and requestors following proper agreements. The position will report directly to the Program Leader – Genetic Resources with close links to the Divisional Director and Senior Management Team of the division.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Management of CePaCT Genebank activities

• Coordinate activities for the effective conservation of ex-situ collections (in vitro -tissue culture and cryopreservation, seeds, and field)
• Manage staff activities to facilitate smooth operations of the CePaCT genebank in implementing activities
• Assist the Associate Scientist-Germplasm Health Unit in the preparation of biosecurity documentation dealing with imports and exports of germplasm

Genebank Quality Management System & Documentation

• Under the leadership of the Programme Leader, develop and periodically review and update the Standard Operating Procedures for Collecting, Acquisition, Conservation, Safety Duplication, Regeneration and Characterization, Distribution and Cryopreservation
• Develop and carry out periodic reviews of CePaCT’s Equipment, Infrastructure and Reagent Management Plans including User Satisfaction Surveys and Reports in collaboration with the Associate Scientist - Germplasm Health Unit
• Lead role in ensuring accurate and complete recording and updating of all accession information for all genebank activities in collaboration with the Associate Scientist Germplasm Health and the Database and Documentation Technician

Technical advice and networking

• Provision of technical and scientific advice to ex-situ collections including laboratories and in-situ collections in collaborating countries where and when necessary.
• Support the implementation of genebank activities and relevant project activities in the Pacific region and with other stakeholders outside of the Pacific
• Assist in the dissemination of relevant information and discussion of follow up activities with the Pacific Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN)

Program Management Support

• Support the Programme Leader - Genetic Resources and senior GR staffs on the development of concept notes and proposals for resource mobilization
• Design and carry out research to improve methodologies for genebank operations in collaboration with other GR Senior staffs
• Provision of high-quality reports relevant to all CePaCT genebank operations and collections as and when required

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree in science with a specialization in botany, genetics, or sustainable management of plant genetic resources

Technical expertise

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in a similar role or demonstrated project management and staff supervision experience
• Expertise in research areas relevant to the conservation of clonal crops in tissue culture and cryopreservation
• Understands the international plant genetic resources intellectual property and phytosanitary issues as well as other legal issues related to relevant international treaties and gene bank operations
• Demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Experienced in computational and statistical tools for the management of genetic resources information
• Experienced in fund-raising, proposal preparation and project management

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 – 3 years - subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration – The Curator - Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,118–11,397 (USD 4,142–5,177; EUR 3,923–4,904). 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 – 19 July 2023 – 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000437

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. Why are genebanks important in the context of the Pacific and how do you see the role of a regional genebank like CePaCT contributing positively to the development goals of the Pacific region?
2. What is your understanding of a Genebank Quality Management System?
3. What is your strategy to ensuring that important crop and tree collections of the Pacific are well protected and are efficiently utilised?

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 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 Land Resources Division (LRD) provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes plant protection, conservation, plant genetic resources, animal health and production, agroforestry, biosecurity and trade facilitation, and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. This work has two objectives: improved food and nutritional security, and resilient communities. The division’s services are provided through seven technical/thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production and Extension; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees.

More information