BACKGROUND
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, human rights, 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 over 400 staff and a total annual budget of approximately 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 in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia and national offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands as well as Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. SPC 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.
In conjunction with other organisations involved with science and technology (S&T) for development within the Pacific region SPC is soon to implement the PACE-Net project. This project has been designed to promote improved cooperation in S&T for development at the regional level by establishing and strengthening the dialogue in S&T between the European countries and the broader Pacific region. The dialogue activities will be informed by the preliminary critical and analytical work on the current S&T cooperation landscape in the Pacific region. The outcomes of the project will be transmitted to development partners and stakeholders, including donors to assist them incorporate priority S&T-related activities in their future development assistance programmes.
To assist this process, SPC would like to recruit a Research Officer for a 7 months period to research and compile details of current projects concerning S&T research for development in the Pacific region and produce a publication in both French and English that summaries current S&T research for development in the Pacific region.
Although SPC’s SEPPF will be involved to some degree with all PACE-Net Work Packages (WP), the Research Officer specifically will manage WP2, which involves, ‘linking science and technology to Pacific development goals and needs’. The WP2 activities include identifying S&T research activities and funding sources already dedicated to science research in the Pacific region prior to ascertaining funding gaps where development partners, including PACE-Net stakeholders might engage with Pacific partners to explore opportunities for further investment to stimulate priority sustainable development outcomes.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The position of Research Officer is responsible to the Planning Adviser (Noumea) and encompasses the following major functions or key result areas:
- Liaison with organisations undertaking S&T for development research in the Pacific region.
- Development and distribution of research survey questionnaire on S&T for development.
- Analysis and follow-up of returned research survey questionnaires.
- Design and management of database relating to S&T research for development in the Pacific region.
- Compilation of Pacific region S&T research for development activities for publication.
- Editing, translation, publication and distribution of S&T research for development booklet.
- Reporting regularly to the SEPPF Planning Adviser.
- Reporting project progress to PACE-Net partners at regional meetings and at other times as requested.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
• A university degree in S&T
• At least 2 years of experience undertaking research, including designing and using databases
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel and Windows computing environment
• Experience contributing to and compiling scientific publications
• Ability to communicate in English
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Pacific Island S&T research experience
• Demonstrated good working relationships with other team members.
Desirable
• A post-graduate S&T degree
• At least 2 years of experience working with databases relating to S&T research in the Pacific region
• Expert skills in Microsoft Word and Excel and Windows computing environment
• Bilingual in English and French
• Experience editing scientific publications.
SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Salary and allowance
The starting salary will depend on experience and qualifications and will be in Grade I 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 3,137– 4,200 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert to approximately XPF 405,620–543,129 per month (USD 4,600–6,200; € 3,400–4,600).
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.
The appointee will not be entitled to an establishment grant, or to child or education allowances.
Tenure
The appointment is initially for a period of seven months starting in May 2010.
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 hospitalcosts, 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 in SPC's Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute 8 per cent of base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution.
Fares and removal expenses
For an appointee recruited from outside New Caledonia, the cost of air fares by the most direct and/or economic route and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects will be met by the Secretariat on appointment and termination for the appointee only.
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 work place.
Equal opportunities
SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment to SPC staff vacancies is based on merit. In cases where 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, P.O. Box D5, 98848 Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia, to arrive by 31 March 2010.
Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and address the selection criteria for the position in their covering letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.
Applications may be submitted by fax (+687 26 38 18) or email (spc@spc.int) preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format.
