Job Description

• Noumea-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly 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 renowned 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 Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role – The Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Data Management) will undertake a programme of work that contributes to data management objectives in the FAME Business Plan through a ‘learning by doing’ approach and will make a material contribution to the work of the OFP while developing skills and knowledge regarding the subject area in which the work is being undertaken.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Data management

• Assist with data quality checks and provide feedback to member countries.
• Assist with data pipeline development to enhance reception and processing of non-standard data.
• Contribute to database documentation (e.g., data catalogue and data dictionary) for SPC staff, members, and stakeholders.

Professional development

• Improve/develop R skills to enhance data flows for efficiency and reproducibility.
• Learn basic SQL database queries and the structure and fields of the various fisheries databases at SPC.
• Enhance understanding of good practices for database design and structure.
• Contribute to WCPFC Scientific Committee papers in support of the Data Management Section.

Capacity development and member support

• Assist with in-country trainings for SPC members on SPC developed applications (e.g., ER app, Tufman2).
• Work with members to develop a regional data management manual for reporting requirements to the WCPFC and to support national needs.
• Respond to direct requests for assistance or information via the OFP helpdesk (SLACK).
• Assist with the planning and execution of the annual Tuna Data Workshop.

  Other duties

• Develop a work program to meet personal interests, within the scope of the work of the Section.
• Topics could include developing dashboards and visualizations, enhanced understanding of ER/EM data processes, database development, improved scientific writing, etc.

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

Key selection criteria

Pacific Islands

• Only applicants from Pacific Island countries are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be employed in a Pacific Island fisheries or conservation / environment department or a recognised NGO working in the field of oceanic fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in science, with an emphasis on fisheries, marine science, or information technology, or relevant work experience or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least two years of experience working in oceanic (offshore) fisheries in a Pacific Island Fisheries administration or equivalent agency.

  Language skills

• Good communication skills in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

Salary, terms and conditions

Requirements: Only applicants who are nationals and residents of Pacific Island countries are eligible to apply. Applicants must be employed in or contracted by a Pacific Island fisheries or conservation / environment agency, or a recognized NGO working in the field of oceanic fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country.

Letter of endorsement – A signed letter from the employer, stating they agree to release the applicant for the attachment and that the position will be held for the applicant to return to at the end of the attachment with SPC must be provided before an appointment can be finalized.

Contract duration – This appointment will last for a duration of 364 days and will not be renewable.

  Remuneration – The Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Data Management) is a Band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a salary of SDR (special drawing rights) 2,912 per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 425,603 (USD 3,873; EUR 3,567). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits – SPC provides subsidized housing in Noumea, an establishment grant, return airfare, and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; medical and life insurance; and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

We encourage all eligible candidates to apply but please note that as this is a special short-term contract, the full list of benefits included in other international contract types are not available. Appointees may bring their families, but all extra costs for travel, insurance, education, housing and other additional expenses will be their own responsibility. 

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. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 1 June 2025 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time

Job Reference: CR000417

Applicants must apply online at

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.

Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. What is your motivation for applying to this position? What skills do you hope to develop in your time at SPC?
2. Describe how you would prepare and deliver a training for Pacific fisheries officers on a new SPC fisheries data collection tablet app
3. Tell us about some fisheries data work which you have completed (either individually or part of a team) that had a positive impact. What was your role in the work and what were the outcomes?

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