Programme Manager (Pacific Data Hub)

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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The role – the Programme Manager (Pacific Data Hub) will provide strategic leadership and management oversight to SPC’s Pacific Data Hub (PDH), driving regional data stewardship, innovation, and sustainable impact. This senior role orchestrates the PDH’s strategic engagement with Pacific Island countries, development partners, and donors, mobilising diversified resources and fostering influential partnerships to strengthen regional data ecosystems.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Resource Mobilisation and Sustainability

• Secure investments and in-kind support for the three Pacific Data Hub workstream, reducing reliance on single funding sources.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with donors and partners, ensuring alignment of funding with organisational priorities.
• Effectively allocate and optimise internal resources, demonstrating transparency and maximising impact.

Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships and Collaboration

• Lead stakeholder engagement strategies, fostering trust, shared ownership, and high levels of satisfaction among national, regional, and international partners.
• Initiate and sustain collaborative projects, ensuring measurable outcomes and mutual value creation.
• Represent the Pacific Data Hub at external forums, advocating for its vision and influencing sectoral agendas while contributing to shaping the overall Pacific Data Steward Community of Practice and Data-Driven Innovation narratives.

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Develop, communicate, and implement strategic plans that are responsive to SPC’s objectives and the evolving needs of Pacific stakeholders.
• Oversee a portfolio of initiatives, for the Federated Data platform, Data Governance Centre-of-Excellence, and Innovation Incubator workstreams, ensuring coordinated delivery, effective governance, and proactive risk management.
• Ensure measurable progress towards strategic goals, successfully implementing strategic plans with measurable progress towards goals, while achieving targeted program objectives that align with donor, project, and SPC requirements.

Team Development and Performance Management

• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, collaboration, and continuous learning within the Pacific Data Hub programme team and the wider SPC Digital & Data Programme teams and initiatives.
• Champion accountability, transparency and a positive team environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, while ensuring employee satisfaction, skill enhancements and professional growth opportunities.
• Implement robust performance management and professional development systems, ensuring regular feedback, recognition, and opportunities for skill enhancement and growth.

Innovation and Technology

• Ensure that The Pacific Data Hub is recognised for innovation in data governance and management and is seen as a trusted business advisor and thought leader by SPC divisions and Flagships.
• Leverage insights from external communities to continuously improve SPC internal data stewardship practices, adopt innovative tools and methodologies, and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Lead the design and execution of the Digital and Data Innovation Change Project, ensuring a clear strategy, governance and engagement approach that aligns emerging Digital Flagship and Pacific Data Hub capabilities to meet the evolving needs of SPC its members.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master degree in a relevant field such as data science, information management, public policy, international development, business administration, digital innovation or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 15 years of experience in designing, leading, and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder programmes in data governance, digital innovation, or international development.
• At least 5 years of experience in leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams and fostering inclusive, collaborative, and innovative workplace culture.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain high-level partnerships with governments, donors, and international organisations, aligning diverse interests to achieve shared outcomes.
• Proven track record of mobilising and managing diversified funding sources, including successful proposal development and donor reporting.
• Experience in strategic planning, risk management, and ensuring accountability and impact reporting for externally funded programmes.

Language skills

• Fluency in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until 31 October 2027 and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Programme Manager (Pacific Data Hub) is a band 13 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 5,690-7,016 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 831,658-1,025,524 (USD 7,568-9,332; EUR 6,969-8,594).SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia. 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.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea – SPC provides housing support in Noumea. 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 bilinguism, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 26 October 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000495

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. Please describe your experience in leading large-scale data programmes. How have you applied principles of data governance, stewardship, or sovereignty in practice?
2. The Pacific Data Hub Programme requires strong collaboration with Pacific governments, National Statistics Offices, regional partners, and donors. Can you provide an example of how you have successfully built and maintained strategic partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups to deliver impact?
3. Managing the Pacific Data Hub involves oversight of multi-disciplinary teams, sustainable funding, and results reporting. What is your experience in programme and people management, including resource mobilisation and ensuring delivery of results?

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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.