The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. It works in a wide range of sectors, including natural resources (agriculture, fisheries and forestry), health, statistics, human development, information and communication technology and social issues. SPC was established in 1947. It has 26 member countries and territories and its working languages are English and French. The organisation has been expanding rapidly and now has approximately 400 staff and a total annual budget of XPF (French Pacific francs) 8 billion (approximately USD 90 million). 
 
SPC’s headquarters is in Noumea, New Caledonia. It also has regional offices in Suva, Fiji Islands and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia and national offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands as well as Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The organisation has gained a reputation for providing ‘real solutions to real problems’ in the Pacific (SPC Corporate Review, 2005) and strives to maintain professionalism, integrity and pragmatism in delivering its services. Additional information on SPC can be found on its website: www.spc.int . 
 
The Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) is part of SPC’s Fisheries, Aquaculture & Marine Ecosystems Division, and currently consists of 21 professional and 14 support staff. OFP’s mission is to ‘provide member countries with the scientific information and advice necessary to rationally manage fisheries exploiting the region’s resources of tuna, billfish and related species’. The programme consists of three sections: Statistics & Monitoring, Stock Assessment & Modelling, and Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment. 
 
OFP works with Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) to help monitor and compile statistics on oceanic fisheries in their waters and in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) generally, to provide assessments of the status of migratory fish stocks at both regional and national levels, and to carry out applied research and provide advice on pelagic fisheries ecosystems. OFP also assists PICTs to develop local human resources, statistical information and scientific monitoring capacity in tuna fisheries. For further information, see www.spc.int/oceanfish. 
 
The Fisheries Scientist (Shark Assessment) is responsible to the Principal Scientist, Stock Assessment & Modelling section. 
 
 
Role of the position 
 
The Fisheries Scientist (Shark Assessment) will provide scientific advice (both written & oral) on the status of oceanic sharks and other transboundary non-target stocks to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and to Pacific small island developing states (SIDS) to support the development of effective national and regional fisheries management arrangements for the oceanic fisheries of the western and central Pacific. The post will work in close collaboration with the FFA-based Fishery Management Advisers, other OFP staff and national fisheries staff of Pacific SIDS. 
 
The position is based at SPC headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia, but the incumbent may be required to travel extensively, mainly within the Pacific region. 
 
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
 
The position of Fisheries Scientist encompasses the following major functions or Key Result Areas: 
 
1.    Undertake analysis on the impacts of fishing on oceanic ecosystems in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) 
 
•    Conduct research on assessment methodologies, including length-based, age-structured models utilising catch, effort, size composition, tagging and environmental data. 
•    Conduct statistically robust analyses for selected non-target species, often in data-poor situations and assess potential management options at both regional and national scales. 
•    Collaborate with other OFP and national staff in the development of National Tuna Fishery Status Reports to assist in the implementation of Tuna Management Plans. 
 
2.    Provide authoritative advice on the population/stock status of non-target species 
 
•    Apply complex statistical and mathematical models, including modern stock assessment methods, to fishery catch and effort and biological and oceanographic data. 
•    Provide both written and oral advice, based on analyses conducted, to fisheries management authorities, principally WCPFC and SPC members. 
 
3.    Review and advise RFMOs on conservation and management measures for non-target species in WCPO 
 
•    Conduct research that evaluates the performance of conservation and management measures. 
•    Effectively conveying the results, and uncertainties, of these analyses to both technical (fisheries scientists) and executive (managers) audiences. 
 
4.    Provide authoritative advice on the ecological risks of fishing in the oceanic ecosystems in the WCPO 
 
•    Provide both written and oral advice based on analyses conducted to fisheries management authorities, principally WCPFC and SPC members. 
 
5.    Assist in building the capacity of Pacific Island countries and territories to undertake responsible management of tuna fisheries and oceanic ecosystems 
 
•    Assist in the development and delivery of regional workshops and complementary activities to build in-country capacity to interpret and apply information on fisheries management. 
•    Provide training to national counterparts in analytical and data handling methods. 
 
 
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 
 
PhD or equivalent experience in statistics, mathematics or quantitative biology. 
 
Knowledge and Experience 
 
• Through knowledge of fisheries stock assessment principles and techniques as demonstrated through practical and quantitative fisheries science experience. 
• Strong quantitative analytical skills, including experience in data modelling and programming. Advanced skills in either R, C++ or ADMB. 
• Excellent verbal and written presentation and communications skills in English. A history of scientific publications and presentations. 
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate and work in a team environment and in situations where English/French is a second language. 
• Excellent time and project management skills as demonstrated through the ability to complete demanding work plans within tight timelines while maintaining the capacity to be responsive to the needs of the client. 
 
 
SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS 
 
SALARY AND ALLOWANCES 
 
The starting salary will depend on experience and qualifications. The position is currently in Grade J of SPC’s salary scale. 
 
Salaries for staff recruited internationally are set in SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and paid in the local currency, i.e. the French Pacific franc (XPF) in New Caledonia. The salary range for this grade is SDR 4,165–5,430 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert into approximately XPF 578,935–754,770 per month (USD 7,000–9,200; € 4,800–6,300). 
 
In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of New Caledonia. Where appropriate, other allowances such as child and education allowance will be paid. 
The organisation subsidises housing. An SPC-owned or SPC-rented house or flat will be made available, with the staff member contributing 25 per cent of the normal rental. 
SPC emoluments are not subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time. 
 
 
TENURE 
 
The appointment is for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability. 
 
 
DUTY STATION 
 
Noumea, New Caledonia. 
 
 
LEAVE 
 
Leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum of active duty. 
 
Sick leave is 30 working days per annum. 
 
 
MEDICAL BENEFITS 
 
SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctors’ fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits. 
 
 
PROVIDENT FUND 
 
The appointee will be eligible for membership of SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute 8 per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution. 
 
 
FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES 
 
For an appointee recruited outside New Caledonia, air fares by the most direct and/or economic route for the appointee only and an excess baggage allowance of up to 60 kg will be met by SPC on appointment and termination. 
 
 
COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT 
 
SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows. 
 
 
SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT 
 
Smoking is not permitted in the workplace. 
 
 
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 
 
SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based on merit. If two short-listed candidates are judged to be equally qualified, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals. 
 
 
ADDRESS AND CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS 
 
Applications should be addressed to the Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, PO Box D5, 98848 Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia, to arrive by 18 December 2009. 
 
Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position in their covering letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees. Applications that do not specifically address the selection criteria will not be considered. 
 
Applications may be submitted by fax (+687 26 38 18) or email spc@spc.int preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format).