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, 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:
- 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.
- Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
- 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 – Senior Hydrologist will support the Pacific Community and member countries through technical leadership as well as project development, management, and implementation. The Senior Hydrologist will provide advice to support sustainable development and management of surface water resources and flood early warning systems across the Pacific region. The core responsibilities of the Senior Hydrologist include delivering high-quality technical advice, development of SPC and member countries capacity, promotion of gender equity and social inclusion, resource mobilization, and the successful and timely delivery of projects and project activities to Pacific Countries.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
Technical Advice and Support
- Provide high quality technical advice and support on Flood Early Warning, development, management and protection, of surface water resources and project implementation needs at the national and regional levels.
- Identify training and capacity needs of SPC and member countries and develop initiatives to address them.
Project Management
- Support for implementation and management of projects including budget development, financial and narrative reporting, and preparation and management of procurements.
- Ensure administrative and procurement procedures are undertaken in accordance with SPC and project protocols and requirements.
- Preparation of contracts and TOR’s for development and delivery of project activities in accordance with SPC protocols.
Networking and Communications
- Promoting and developing relationships with member country counterparts, partners, and stakeholders resulting in improved delivery of project, national and regional initiatives for flood early warning, and resource mobilization, for improved flood early warning, community resilience, water resource protection, management, and sustainability.
- Ensure accurate, audience focused sensitive hydrological information is accessible and available to a wide variety of relevant stakeholders.
Capacity Building
- Actively support and encourage the development of capacity building to strengthen the long-term capacity of SPC and country counterparts in water resources and flood early warning, as well as community engagement techniques, people centered approaches and project management through on-the-job training and specially designed training.
- Design, develop and implement training programs in hydrology, data analysis, technical reporting, and community engagement skills
Provision of High-Quality Technical, Administrative and Financial Reporting
- High quality reporting provided on time to meet project and country needs.
Resource Mobilization
- Identifying and developing resource mobilization opportunities to address member country and SPC needs at National and regional level.
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, or water resources engineering.
Technical expertise
- At least 10 years of experience in surface water hydrology and demonstrated experience with communities and complex project activities.
- At least 8 years demonstrated project management and organizational skills experience.
- Experienced in the application of hydrological data and databases to develop information products.
- Demonstrated experience in the use and application of QGIS.
- Demonstrated experience of hydrologic and hydraulic modelling
- Demonstrated experience of working and managing projects in remote locations.
- Demonstrated experience in Community engagement.
- 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 31 December 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration – The Senior Hydrologist is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,565‒4,456 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,623–13,279 (USD 4,741–5,927; EUR 4,419–5,524). 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.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing Date: 20 October 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: JM000747
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.
For 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):
- Describe a project in which you have been involved when you had to consult with many different stakeholders and obtain their views on proposed project activities. How did you organise the consultations and was it successful?
- Describe the key components of a flood warning system with reference to the Pacific Island catchment context.
- Delivering on-the-ground flood warning systems in Pacific Island countries, brings many challenges. Based on your experience, identify three important challenges and how you would go about addressing them.