Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) Coordinator

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 Land Resources Division (LRD) provides effective expert scientific advice, capacity building and services on conservation, development and utilization 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 realized 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 – Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) Coordinator will provide management oversight and responsibility across the POETCom projects and activities to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the network. It provides strong and clear leadership internally to the organization and its people and externally to the organization’s stakeholders and members. The position is responsible for developing and implementing the overall work plan of POETCom based on the Strategic Plan, guided by the direction of the POETCom Board and aligned with SPC policy and procedures and in accordance with the new Land Resources Division.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Capacity Building

• Identify the priority needs of members, in collaboration with development partners, develop and coordinate appropriate national, sub regional and regional capacity building programmes, strengthening national movements and technical capacity.
• Facilitate the active participation of members at national, regional and global events that will further the aims of POETCom.
• Build training resources to support growth of organic movement and improved organic practices.
• Disseminate information to the wider Pacific Islands sustainability sector, facilitating the development of organic, sustainable and ethical traders and access to export markets.

Leadership and Management

• Translate the vision of POETCom into a framework for implementation that will better structure the organization (role and duty of Secretariat, GA/Focal Point, Board) and inform and empower its members in developing the organic and ethical trade movement.
• Provide organisational leadership to POETCom, including developing and managing annual workplans, coordinating POETCom regional meetings and being responsible for financial management (in collaboration with SPC financial services) and producing reports as required by the POETCom Board and other stakeholders.
• Promote and facilitate greater cooperation among members, improving communication and information sharing across members, Governments, development partners, and the wider Pacific Islands ethical sector.
• Effectively represent POETCom with members, donors/development partners and the wider Pacific Islands ethical sector, undertaking and/or supporting advocacy activities that support POETCom priorities.

Technical Advice

• Provide expert advice in developing/managing the Organic Guarantee System to implement the Pacific Organic Standard.
• Provide policy advice and technical support to POETCom and the wider Pacific Islands ethical sector, on organic/ethical trade development issues.

Resource Mobilisation

• Develop and implement an innovative sustainable funding plan for POETCom.
• Mobilise resources for POETCom sustainability in line with sustainable funding plan.
• Build relationships with development partners and stakeholders to achieve sustainable funding plan.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in governance, management, development studies, agriculture, forestry, social science or related field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience working in the organic sector/certification, ethical trade or agriculture trade with at least five of those years working in project design and management.
• Demonstrated understanding of certification systems/processes at a farmer and international level.
• Proven financial, human resources and administrative management skills in a challenging environment, with a particular focus on stakeholder management and monitoring programme/organizational performance.
• Proven leadership skills, particularly in developing and implementing strategic vision to support the establishment and growth of a similar organization, such as an NGO or association.
• Proven representative experience at the national, regional and international levels with a particular focus on advocacy, with a view to developing and maintaining key relationships.
• Extensive experience in developing funding and resource proposals, raising funds and identifying opportunities to develop strategic partnerships.
• Excellent computer skills across necessary applications.

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 30 June 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) Coordinator 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: 26 October 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000117

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. Please explain the opportunities and constraints for developing organic agriculture in the Pacific.

2. Please describe your experience in building a network or community of practice. What are the challenges, and please describe a situation where you worked through challenges to build a common vision.

3. Please share your experience in resource mobilisation for agriculture or development projects.

4. What elements would need to be included in an organic guarantee system for the Pacific Islands?

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