Senior Technical Officer – Disaster Risk Management & Climate Change Operations

• 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, 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 – Senior Technical Officer – Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Operations will provide advice on country-level initiatives to improve the use of hazard risk data in disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change (CC) related decision-making and action; and to provide DRM/CC operational advice and coaching, including for a range of urban, community and coastal resilience and risk reduction assessments, workshops and initiatives being implemented in Pacific Island countries.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Providing technical expert advice to improve the use of hazard risk data in DRM/CC-related decision-making and action in PICs

• Assist with the identification of DRM/CC information data needs at sub-national, national and regional levels.
• Support the development and local use of risk assessment/profile templates and tools for different decision-makers (including decision-makers in government, business, communities and families/households).
• Support the assessment of disaster and CC impact costs from a risk management technical perspective.

Providing technical operational advice, coaching and capability building on DRM/CC initiatives being implemented in PICs

• Provide sound, risk informed, culturally appropriate and inclusive DRM/CC technical operational advice to support BSRP II Implementation Officers, in-country coordinators and collaborating agencies in PICs to finalise feasible regional and country plans that will deliver practical benefit and are cost effective.
• Provide sound and risk informed DRM/CC operational advice and coaching across a range of national, sub-national, urban, community and coastal resilience initiatives being implemented in PICs.
• Support the integration of traditional and new knowledge risk reduction and resilience techniques.
• Contribute to the implementation of an SPC DCRP-wide capability building strategy for the DRM/CC workforce.

Supporting the capacity and efficacy of SPC’s DCRP by providing technical expert advice and promoting productive relationships, best practice and innovation with stakeholders.

• Ensure BSRP II initiatives are delivered within the context of, and contributes to the achievement of, the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) and Sendai Framework goals and targets.
• Contribute technical DRM/CC advice into formal and informal reporting to donors, development partner and within SPC as required.
• Promote collaborations and relationships within DCRP, GEM Division and SPC.
• Promote networking between key stakeholders, individuals and projects involved in risk reduction and resilience.

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

 

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree in an appropriate field of science, engineering, climate change and/or disaster risk management from a recognised university (or equivalent work experience).

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years’ experience in disaster and climate risk identification/evaluation, reduction, mitigation and adaptation at an operational level, including through the integration of traditional and new knowledge risk reduction and resilience techniques.
• Knowledge of the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific and Sendai Framework.
• Proven experience in risk assessment, mapping and GIS data management, as well as the assessment of the cost of disaster and climate change impacts.
• Proven experience in providing DRM/CC action operational advice, preferably at across a range of levels, disciplines and initiatives (including national, sub-national, urban, community and coastal resilience initiatives).
• Proven experience in design and implementation of risk reduction projects and programmes.
• Demonstrable knowledge of, and experience in, disaster and emergency response coordination.
• Demonstrable Pacific cultural awareness and engagement experience, including coaching and mentoring Pacific country counterparts towards the achievement of strategic and operational goals.
• Demonstrable knowledge of development approaches that promote human rights, inclusion and low carbon solutions.      

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

 

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 20 November 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Senior Technical Officer – Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Operations is band 9 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,284‒2,856 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,808–8,509 (USD 3,038–3,798; EUR 2,832–3,540). 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 matching 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: 24 March 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000580

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):

1. How has the Pacific strategically addressed the challenges posed by disasters and climate change? What has your contribution been to realise the priorities?
2. Explain how you have used risk information to strengthen disaster risk management and/or climate change decision-making at either national, sub-national levels OR with communities?
3. Communicating information to decision makers and senior officials is key. How have you done this?

Position Description