Senior/Fisheries Scientist – Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller

• 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, 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 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 Senior/Fisheries Scientist (Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller) will develop and assist with complex technical development of MSE modelling frameworks for key tuna stocks/fisheries and with the technical work to support implementation of harvest strategies. The role will contribute to team activities, reports and materials for regional and national capacity building workshops and stakeholder engagement. This appointment will be made at either the Senior Fisheries Scientist (Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller) or the Fisheries Scientist (Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller) level, depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Develop and implement technical components of MSE model frameworks for key WCPO tuna fisheries

• In collaboration with other team members, develop technical MSE components for key WCPO tuna stocks, including: operating models (OMs) and estimation methods (EMs), and the integrated modelling frameworks for conducting MSE of candidate management procedures/harvest control rules.
• Develop performance indicators and related modeling outputs.
• Incorporate uncertainty into MSE, including options for incorporation of climate change/variability.
• Ensure analytical tools (i.e. model scripts) are usable by others, are transparent and the analyses are repeatable, including maintaining good documentation and code repository.
• Assist in the design of candidate harvest control rules, as guided by defined management objectives and informed by stakeholder engagement.
• Apply the developed MSE frameworks to evaluate candidate management procedures.
• Develop novel methods to deal with challenges of MSE, for example multi-species fisheries.

Develop and assist with the technical work to support implementation of harvest strategies

• Contribute to development of monitoring strategies and related analysis.
• Contribute to running analyses and producing reports on performance of harvest strategies once implemented.
• Conduct other technical work and provide advice as required by PICT stakeholders/WCPFC for implemented harvest strategies.

Deliver high quality written reports and presentations to regional and subregional scientific and management meetings

• Lead and or contribute to written technical reports on MSE work for regional and subregional meetings.
• Present MSE related work to regional and subregional meetings.
• Provide responses to ad hoc MSE/harvest strategy related requests from PICTs and WCPFC.

Contribute to capacity building and general stakeholder engagement

• Assist in the development and delivery of regional and national capacity building workshops on harvest strategies and use of the MSE process.
• Promote/support stakeholder engagement and input into harvest strategy development.
• Contribute to development of training materials to improve understanding and ensure uptake and informed interpretation of MSE outputs.
• Effectively communicate results and advice arising from MSE analyses to managers and stakeholders.
• Address ad-hoc requests for information from members, and other groups such as NGOs.
• Assist with support/mentoring for SPC member country staff attachments within the SAM section, i.e. Pacific Island Fisheries Professionals.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification, preferably at PhD level, in fisheries science, stock assessment modelling, natural resource management, or a related discipline

Technical expertise

• Strong quantitative analytical skills with practical experience in data modelling, statistics and programming (particularly in R, TMB and/or C++).
• Good understanding of fisheries stock assessment principles and techniques in quantitative fisheries. Consideration of appointment at the Senior Fisheries Scientist (Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller) or Fisheries Scientist (Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller) levels will be based on, but not limited to, the extent of experience in a relevant field. 3 years’ experience is desirable for the Fisheries Scientist (Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller) level and 7 years’ experience is desirable for the Senior Fisheries Scientist (Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller) level.
• Previous experience undertaking Management Strategy Evaluation simulations or other fisheries simulation -estimation studies.
• Demonstrated ability to meet project deadlines and apply good time management.
• Willingness to travel.

Language skills

• Good presentation and communication skills, both written and verbal, in English.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical reports in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary and multi-cultural team.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – Appointment will be made at either the Senior Fisheries Scientist (Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller) level band 12 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,792-5,894 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 708,852-871,830 (USD 6,374-7,839; EUR 5,940-7,306) ; or the Fisheries Scientist (Management Strategy Evaluation Modeller)   level band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,206-5,161 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 622,159-763,470 (USD 5,594-6,865; EUR 5,214-6,398). An offer of appointment to one of these positions will be made, dependent on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate in relation to the criteria as outlined above. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees – SPC provides a housing allowance (or subsidised housing in Noumea). 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).

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: 11 November 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000309

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. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has committed to developing and implementing a harvest strategy approach for the management of key tuna fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. What do you see as the main advantages of this approach for managing highly migratory stocks that are fished by many countries across such a large ocean area, and what do you think the main challenges will be in implementing harvest strategies in this context?
2. Briefly describe your most relevant experience in developing models and/or software tools to evaluate the status of fish stocks and the implications of alternative management options.
3. The impacts of climate change present a significant challenge for the future management of tuna stocks in the region. How would you design and test management procedures to ensure that they are robust to achieving management objectives in the face of climate change uncertainty?

Position Description