Health and Climate Change Officer

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

The Public Health Division (PHD) supports members in developing healthier Pacific Island people and communities. The primary focus of the division is to provide scientific and technical assistance and to support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goal for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, prevent diseases, restore and/or maintain health and reduce inequalities in health. PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than individual treatment services. The PHD is comprised of five programmes: 1) Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme (SPRP); 2) Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Programme (NCDP); 3) Clinical Services Programme (CSP); Laboratory Services Programme (LSP); and Health Integration and Innovation Programme (HIIP). The Health and Climate Change Officer position is located within the HIIP and will be based in the PHD office in Suva.

The role – Health and Climate Change Officer will support regional efforts to strengthen health resilience to climate change in the Pacific. Specifically, this position will coordinate the Pacific Network for Health and Climate Change (PNHCC) and its technical working groups; facilitate regional workshops and fellowship initiatives; guide the Pacific’s contribution to the global and regional forums including UNFCCC COP31 Health Programme; support the integration of climate resilience into health systems; and contribute to monitoring and reporting.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Support the coordination and operationalisation of regional health and climate change mechanisms, including the PNHCC and its technical working groups

• Coordinate and operationalise the PNHCC and its technical working group, including preparing TORs, concept notes, agendas, workplans, and meeting documentation.
• Support member countries and partners to actively engage in regional coordination mechanisms.
• Provide technical support for the implementation of HNAP activities and alignment with regional frameworks and country priorities.

Facilitate the organisation of regional workshops, policy dialogues and fellowship initiatives on health and climate change to strengthen capacity, promote peer learning and encourage regional collaboration

• Design, plan, and organise regional capacity-building workshops and technical exchanges.
• Coordinate the fellowship and placement initiatives including logistic arrangements.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning, regional knowledge sharing, and exchange of best practices.

Provide guidance and support for the preparation and delivery of the global and regional forums including the Pacific component to the UNFCCC COP31 Health Programme, through engagement with stakeholders

• Coordinate the forums organising committees including Pacific Health Planning Committee to guide COP31 preparations.
• Support the development of Pacific positions, content, and technical inputs for COP31 or similar forums.
• Engage with regional and international stakeholders (e.g., governments, WHO and UN agencies, donors, CROP agencies).

Provide technical support on VCAs, HNAP development, and climate resilient health systems advancement

• Provide technical support and inputs on VCAs and HNAP processes for member countries.
• Support the integration of climate resilience into national health policies, strategies, and systems.
• Ensure that national and regional adaptation planning aligns with PCHRP priorities.

Support monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements and contribute actively to the Public Health Division team

• Support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on PCHRP activities and donor milestones.
• Prepare briefs, case studies, and communication products to showcase progress and lessons.
• Contribute to PHD planning, reporting, and knowledge-sharing processes.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in public health, environmental health, climate change, health system, health policy, or a related field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in one or more of climate change and health, health system strengthening, health adaptation planning, or public health program coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating regional technical working groups, workshops, or policy dialogues.
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of climate and/or health projects/programmes.
• Fluent English communication skills (oral and written), including ability to prepare reports, briefs, and presentations for regional and international audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently (up to 30% of the time) within the Pacific region and internationally.

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 – 1 year – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Health and Climate Change Officer is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,399‒2,998 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,220–9,025 (USD 3,190–3,988; EUR 2,938–3,672). 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. 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 Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – 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: 7 December 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000150

Applicants must apply online at Careers | The Pacific Community

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. Can you describe your experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder networks or technical working groups in health and climate change? Please include strategies used to ensure effective collaboration and sustained engagement.
2. Can you explain your role in facilitating regional workshops or policy dialogues that represented the priorities of vulnerable countries and communities in health and climate change? Include strategies and any experience in global forums.
3. What experience do you have integrating climate resilience into health systems? Provide an example of a project or initiative where you supported health–climate integration and monitored outcomes.

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

More information