International Partnerships and Business Development 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 Partnerships, Integration and Resource Mobilisation Office (PIRMO) is a new function at SPC with the Director appointed just over a year ago. PIRMO leads SPC’s strategic partnerships, drives business development in support of SPC’s Strategic Plan 2022-2031, and contributes to SPC’s development effectiveness by championing an integrated approach to the way we work.

The role – The International Partnerships and Business Development Officer will play a key role in supporting SPC’s strategic resource mobilisation and partnership development efforts. Working within PIRMO and in collaboration with SPC divisions, more specifically with the oneSPC Climate Change flagship team, this role contributes to securing sustainable funding, in particular Climate finance for ocean climate nexus, enhancing and monitoring donor engagement on climate finance, and supporting the development of strategic partnerships. The officer will help ensure consistent, high-quality engagement with key donors and partners, and support divisional efforts to align with SPC’s strategic goals and funding priorities.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships

• Help identify and track funding opportunities aligned with SPC’s strategic goals and its flagships, more specifically the Climate change flagship and Climate finance for ocean climate nexus.
• Ensure alignment with divisional requirements, business plans and flagships supporting integrated and cross-sectoral programming.
• Assist in preparing documents and research to support funding proposals, in particular for new funds as coral reef positive and coastal community climate action and livelihood development.
• Use tools and templates to support fundraising and programme development.
• Keep the funding pipeline updated and aligned with members’ needs.
• Support monitoring and coordination of new funding opportunities across SPC with clear distinction between ODA and climate finance.
• Help draft and format proposals and grant agreements.
• Maintain records of partnerships and engagement activities.
• Support the ongoing development of a proposal with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) worth NZ33M and the development of a clear and agreed pathways between DFAT/DCCEEW (Australia) and SPC for a significant investment in the Climate Change Flagship.

Integration, Engagement and UBPP Support

• Collaborate on and quality assure UBPP knowledge products for alignment with donors, SPC and members requirements.
• Help coordinate meeting and event planning and arrangements including UBPP informal working group, virtual donor roundtable and sub-regional missions.
• Collect and organise information to support integrated planning.
• Assist in linking partnership activities to UBPP process ensuring knowledge management of UBPP programme including the funding and engagement data is accurate and accessible.
• Maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders, including government counterparts, donors, and civil society.

Communication and stakeholder engagement

• Align tasks with the Resource Mobilisation Strategy, SPC Strategic Plan and climate change flagship.
• Help coordinate member country engagement activities.
• Collect and organise information to support integrated planning.
• Assist in linking partnership activities to the UBPP process and SPC’s flagships.
• Ensure funding and engagement data is accurate and accessible.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political or social sciences, business management, law, international relations, environmental management or a related field, is required or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in project management, policy development or related role.
• Good knowledge and understanding of project design, technical cooperation, resource mobilisation and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in climate change, biodiversity or conservation policy development.
• Experience in managing project budgets, procurement and consultant contracts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good research and analytical skills.
• Able to apply sound judgement in the context of assignments given.
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel).
• Ability to work self-sufficiently and self-motivate.

Language skills

• Fluency in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until 31 July 2026.

Remuneration – The International Partnerships and Business Development Officer is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,350–4,092 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 489,689–598,025 (USD 4,456–5,442; EUR 4,104–5,011). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea – SPC provides housing support in Noumea and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Airfares, medical and life insurance are available for eligible employees. 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 September 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000480

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.

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. Describe a project where you successfully integrated environmental or conservation priorities into a broader infrastructure or development plan. What was your role and what was the outcome?
2. Drawing from your experience or qualification in Pacific climate finance, describe 2 elements or insights that you think could strengthen how SPC mobilises or manages donor funding.
3. Tell us about a time you worked in or with a Pacific Island country or institution. What did you learn about the importance of cultural and regional context in your approach?

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.