Hydrogeologist

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific region

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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) 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 – Hydrogeologist will be working as part of the Water Resources Assessment, Monitoring, and Management (WRAM) team. The hydrogeologist will work under the supervision of the Senior Hydrogeologist and/or Project Manager within the team to provide support for the development, and implementation of water and sanitation projects across the Pacific within the DCRP, including the Enhancing water – food security and climate resilience in volcanic island countries of the Pacific Project, and “Managing Water Scarcity through Strengthened Water Resources Management” Project (referred to as “Atoll Water Scarcity Project”).

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Technical advice and support

• Provide high quality technical advice and support on water resource related technical and research needs at the regional, national and local levels.
• Deliver technical and administrative requirements of projects as agreed and within time to a standard which meets expectations of SPC and project partners.
• Undertake water resource surveys including geophysics in an efficient way producing high quality data with confidence in analysis and interpretation of results.

Networking and communications  

• Establish and develop effective communication and relationships within member countries, development partners, and SPC to promote water resource assessment, development, and management for the region.
• Ensure accurate, audience focused sensitive water resource information is accessible and available to a wide variety of relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure water information is archived according to SPC formats which promotes security and accessibility of data.

Capacity building

• Actively support and encourage the development of capacity building to strengthen the long-term capacity of country counterparts in water resource assessment, monitoring, development and management through on-the-job training and specially designed training.
• Actively develop capacity building across SPC and with counterparts including design and delivery of specific training in hydrogeology, geophysics, data analysis, GIS and water resource management, technical report writing and sanitation skills.

Provision of high-quality technical reporting

• Provision of high-quality technical reports ensuring SPC standards are met for publication.

Support project implementation

• Project implementation actions and requirements are undertaken and completed with efficiency, and within SPC policy and procedures.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A Master of Science degree (MSc) with a specialization in a relevant field such as hydrology, hydrogeology, groundwater modelling or water resources engineering (and/or equivalent work experience).

Technical expertise

• At least 7-8 years of experience in water resource assessment, monitoring, and development.
• Experienced in the application and analysis of hydrological data, and database management to develop information products.
• Demonstrated experience in the use and application of GIS.
• Demonstrated experience in groundwater management.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience of working and managing projects in remote locations.
• Demonstrated experience of working in a aid/development context.
• Knowledge of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, (GESI), and People Centred Approaches (PCA) in delivery of projects.          

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 June 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Hydrogeologist is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,211–11,513 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,831–4,789). 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 Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of 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 bilingualism, 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 27 October 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000763

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.

or international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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. Describe a situation in which you have had to consult with hesitant or wary stakeholders. How did you organise the consultation and was it successful?
2. Describe the key components of a groundwater assessment, and the tools or assessment techniques that may be suitable for use with reference to the Pacific Island context.
3. Describe three key challenges that limits rural communities of the Pacific achieve water security, and how can these be addressed in the future?

Position Description