Integrated Ocean Management Adviser

Job Description

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are four (4) areas of scientific programming within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.

3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

4. Earth and Ocean Observation Services – promoting spatial data and systems analysis and capacity to improve decision-making to improve resilience and sustainable resource management.

The role – Integrated Ocean Management Adviser will provide expert technical and advisory support to Pacific Island countries and SPC teams in the development, implementation, and monitoring of National Ocean Policies and Integrated Ocean Management frameworks, aligned with SPC’s Ocean Flagship and the 2050 Strategy.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Policy analysis and advice

• Provide advice and support member countries on the development of ocean governance and management policies, including legislative, regulatory and contractual frameworks, that incorporate traditional knowledge.
• Provide advice on regional and national ocean, coastal issues to inform IOM, blue growth, and sustainable development.
• Develop high quality policy, evidence, and thematic briefs linking sustainable ocean management and economic development and investment.
• Lead or support reviews of policy, legislation, and regulatory instruments.

Project management

• Support the implementation of the Ocean Flagship through IOM work.
• Facilitate co-design and planning with SPC divisions, regional and country stakeholders.
• Develop and track workplans and outputs, supporting implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Engage and manage external consultants and partners delivering workplan components.
• Apply project and budget management practices and ensure quality deliverables.

Capacity building and country support

• Develop and deliver capacity-building activities (e.g. workshops, webinars, training) to help countries implement NOPs and IOM frameworks and achieve SDG-related goals.
• Develop tools to address information gaps and support their application in-country.
• Document and share lessons, outcomes and impacts of IOM-related activities internally and externally.
• Collaborate on and review knowledge products related to ocean management and governance.

People management

• Manage the performance and supervise a group of Assistants and Specialists.
• Influence staff and mediate between colleagues to resolve complex and contentious issues.
• Identify opportunities and organise capacity development activities for staff and stakeholders.
• Build strong and effective team capable of providing the highest quality service to member countries and clients.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification (minimum of a bachelor’s degree with Honors or Postgraduate Diploma) in a relevant discipline such as international law, environmental law, ocean governance, ocean sciences, or natural resources management or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of professional experience in ocean governance, natural resources law, or the implementation of projects, preferably with a legal, policy, or technical focus.
• Experience in legislative drafting, policy development and/or in participating in multilateral or intergovernmental negotiations relating to ocean resources.
• Experience in an international context, gained in an international organisation, government ministry or the private sector.
• Strategic thinker with well-developed analytical skills and attention to detail and experienced in strategic planning and consultation processes.
• Experience in project management and coordination.
• Experience in budget development and execution.

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 – Until 31 December 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Integrated Ocean Management Adviser is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,703‒3,379 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,137–10,171 (USD 3,596-4,494; EUR 3,311-4,139). 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: 27 July 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000892

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. What is integrated ocean management and describe with examples from your experiences, what the critical elements involved in the development of an Integrated Ocean Management focused programmes.
2. Please identify opportunities in strengthening ocean governance and management capabilities in the Pacific Islands region and suggest potential approaches that could be utilised by SPC to enhance and strengthen ocean governance.
3. SPC is an international organization with coverage of many technical capabilities to serve the Pacific countries and territories. How would you support and facilitate elements of Integrated Ocean management across these capabilities
   and the sciences involved?

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.

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