Social Development Officer

Job Description

Description

The Programme - The goal of the Social Development Programme (SDP) is to ‘advance gender equality and equal development outcomes in the Pacific region’. SDP works with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to build capacity, collaboration, knowledge and practice around social development. SPC has been supporting the promotion of gender equality, youth development and culture for over 30 years, first with the women’s bureau, the youth bureau, and the culture bureau, which merged into the Human Development Programme in 2008, and then became SDP in 2016.

SDP is progressively taking an integrated approach to gender equality and social inclusion as the modality for accelerating progress towards achieving social development goals. This includes identifying how issues affecting socially excluded people, with a particular focus on women and youth of all diversities, can be jointly addressed, and seeking to integrate cultural heritage and traditional knowledge can be woven into existing development practice.

The role – the Social Development Officer will be responsible for:

• Supporting the delivery of timely and relevant analytical, technical, research, programmatic and policy advice by the social development programme on social development issues including on gender equality, youth development and culture to SPC and its member countries and civil society.
• Working closely with the SDP team and SPC programme staff in support of a coordinated and effective integrated programming approach to addressing the social dimensions of development programme initiatives.
• Supporting the work of the organization towards ensuring the needs and contributions of women and men of all diversities, respects and promotes human rights and cultural heritage and contributes to the achievement of gender equality and social inclusion across all sectors.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in relevant social science discipline (sociology, development studies, anthropology, gender and development, or a related discipline).

1. Knowledge experience and skills

• At least 5 years of experience in the Pacific region with a specialization in gender equality and social inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of policies and programmes in gender equality and social inclusion, gender and social analysis and or gender mainstreaming
• Sound knowledge of gender and social inclusion in the Pacific island region.
• Relevant experience in capacity building and delivery of training; communications; monitoring, evaluation, and reporting;
• Proven ability to develop and sustain professional partnerships.
• Government infrastructure and work processes in public services;
• Experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams
• Willing to work in a team from distance

1. Interpersonal and Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English (oral and written) with the capacity to engage government, civil society and community audiences.
• Good interpersonal skills and high level of professional integrity and ethics.
• A team player, with the ability to network and work effectively in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.
• Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated understanding of developing country environments.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories, especially in the North Pacific is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Three years ; This position is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Social Development Officer is a Band 10 position in SPC’s 2019 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,112‒3,824 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately USD 4,419–5,430 (EUR 3,725–4,577). 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 Pohnpei.

Benefits for international employees based in Pohnpei – SPC provides a housing allowance of USD 1,000–2,000 per month. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and 30 days of sick leave per annum, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Equal opportunity – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit; in cases where two short-listed candidates are judged to be of equal rank by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

Child protection – SPC is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. SPC’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Police clearance – Successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate.

Application procedure

Closing date: 19 May 2019

Job Reference: AL000192

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

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening Questions:

1. Please describe the social development issues in terms of gender, youth and culture in the Micronesia sub-region.
2. Please describe a successful initiative you have been involved in that has contributed to gender equality, social inclusion, and or promoted cultural heritage.
3. In your view, what are some of the important factors for maintaining collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders?

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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 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.

More information