Water Project Engineer

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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus 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.

The role – the Water Project Engineer will support climate-resilient water infrastructure in Vanuatu by updating engineering standards and integrating into rural water infrastructure planning and delivery, particularly through the Drinking Water Safety and Security Planning (DWSSP) process. Through training to provincial and community-level stakeholders they ensure communities are empowered to operate and maintain their water systems. Through support to the Provincial and National Water Advisory Committees, they ensure that environmental, social and gender considerations are integrated into project risk ranking and delivery.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Provision of technical oversight and leadership 

• Provide quality and timely technical oversight in leading the revision of engineering and construction standards to ensure climate resilience.
• Review Drinking Water Safety and Security Plans (DWSSPs) to ensure alignment with approved climate-resilience standards.
• Review project design drawings and documentation to ensure alignment with approved climate resilient standards.

Develop and support sector capacity 

• Act as the key technical focal point for Provincial Engineers to build their capacity and ensure quality implementation of survey, design and construction supervision activities.
• Support the Project lead technical partner, UNICEF, to review and revise DWSSPs
• Support the National and Provincial Water Resources Advisory Committees (NWRAC/PWRAC) on risk ranking and prioritizing the most at-risk communities through the capacity assistance program

Provision of quality technical reporting 

• Ensure accurate and timely project technical reporting to facilitate accountability amongst technical staff by undertaking training, developing templates, preparing work schedules, and providing monthly status reports.
• Review and approve/reject construction monitoring reports including partial and final completion reports to facilitate timely payment to contractors.

Support to project governance and compliance with policies and regulations 

• Support the Project Manager and provide backstopping project management support when necessary.
• Facilitate compliance with all relevant policies, regulations and administrative directions and contribute to the good governance of the Project, SPC and the Department of Water Resources.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Masters qualification in a field related to civil, environmental or mechanical engineering ; or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 7-8 years’ experience in a design engineering or construction supervision role.
• Demonstrated experience with design and/or construction of water supply systems in a rural context in the Pacific.
• Knowledge of the Drinking Water Safety and Security Planning (DWSSP) methodology.
• General knowledge of planning and budget processes.
• Knowledge of health and safety, risk management and quality assurance procedures within projects.
• Knowledge of water and hydraulic engineering, water supply design, operation and maintenance of water supply systems and sustainable water resource management.
• Demonstrated experience in project management activities, project planning and procurement of key materials and essential equipment within tight timeframes.
• Demonstrated familiarity with GIS, CAD, Microsoft Office suite and other resource and engineering software.
• Demonstrated familiarity with groundwater systems and water supply needs in atoll settings.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, provide sound judgement for decisions and be practically orientated
• Ability to work under minimal supervision in remote locations.
• Knowledge of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, (GESI), and People Centred Approaches (PCA) in delivery of projects.

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 19 September 2028 and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Water Project Engineer is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,210–3,965 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately USD 4,270– 5,274. 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 Vanuatu.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Port Vila– SPC provides a housing allowance of USD 1,000–2,000. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance, and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual 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: 23 November 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000508

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. Briefly describe your understanding of the key water security challenges facing communities in the Pacific, and how you came to gain this understanding
2. What approaches would you use to ensure climate resilience is integrated into water infrastructure design in a rural Vanuatu context?
3. How would you ensure that lessons learned from infrastructure implementation are captured and used to improve future design?
   

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.