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. SPC works in a wide range of sectors with the aim of achieving three development outcomes – sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and development, and sustainable human and social development.
SPC was established in 1947. It has 26 member countries and territories and its working languages are English and French. Its headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji Islands, and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and country offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Additional information on SPC can be found on its website: www.spc.int.
APPLIED GEOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SOPAC) DIVISION
Throughout the past nearly 40 years, the SOPAC work programme has attained and demonstrated a reputation for excellence in placing an emphasis on applying scientific and technical knowledge to improving the livelihoods of Pacific people. Initially the focus was on mineral and hydrocarbon resources assessment in offshore areas. With over 90% of the region being ocean, the economic potential of these resources was, and remains, very large. Today, despite the global economic crisis, there is a well-established renewed interest in seabed mineral resources assessment of many Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). Guidance to PICTs, not only on the scientific and technical aspects of these potential resources but also on establishing sound national policy and regulatory frameworks, is crucial. Furthermore, in this context the surveying and subsequent legal work to complete the establishment and declaration of sovereign maritime boundaries for all PICTs is most urgent.
The contribution of SOPAC to the scientific and technical, particularly geoscientific and geotechnical, understanding of the underlying root causes of environmental vulnerability remains critical. As vulnerability increases, in particular to climate change and other natural hazards, sound knowledge-based adaptation strategies are needed in the context of coastal and nearshore environments, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction. In the generally small communities throughout PICTs, awareness raising, capacity building (especially at the technical level) and capacity supplementation (particularly at the professional level) will remain important across all the SOPAC work programmes.
The Applied Geoscience and Technology Division is based at SPC’s Suva Regional Office, Fiji Islands, and has approximately 100 staff and an annual budget of around FJD 30 million (USD 15.00 million).
KEY RESULT AREAS
- Administration and support of SPC’s ICT systems.
- Provide technical leadership in ICT systems infrastructure related disciplines.
- Build and test technology solutions to enable and support SPC strategic objectives and provide appropriate advice to staff.
- Implementation, operational support and optimisation of ICT systems.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Qualifications
Essential
- Tertiary qualification or equivalent in computer science or related subject, or equivalent work experience.
Desirable
- Recent industry certifications from two of the following vendors:
- Microsoft
- VMware
- Cisco.
- Industry recognised project management and/or IT service management certification, e.g.
- ITIL
- Prince.
Knowledge / experience
Essential
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- Excellent command of English and/or French.
Desirable
- Support of desktop systems and applications in both English and French languages in a multi-disciplinary organisation.
- Scripting experience using Powershell, VB script, shell scripts, perl.
- Application and web development experience using .NET technologies, C# or VB.
- Good working knowledge of English (for French speakers) or French (for English speakers).
SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SALARY AND ALLOWANCES
The position is in Band 10 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 Fiji dollar, FJD, in Fiji Islands). As per SPC’s 2011 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 2,133–3,200 per month. At prevailing exchange rates, these amounts convert to approximately FJD 6,200–9,400 per month (USD 3,400–5,100, Euros 2,400–3,600).
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.
The organisation subsidises housing. A housing allowance of 75 per cent of the total rental, up to a limit of FJD 2,625 per month, will be provided. The minimum housing allowance payable is FJD 1,170 per month.
In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of Fiji Islands. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable.
While SPC emoluments are not subject to income tax in Fiji Islands at the present time, this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji Islands. Any change in this status will apply to Fiji nationals.
PROVIDENT FUND
The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute eight per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution
TENURE
The appointment is for a period of three years, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability.
DUTY STATION
Suva, Fiji Islands
LEAVE
Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. For expatriate staff members, home leave fares are payable after 18 months of service.
Sick leave is 30 working days per annum.
MEDICAL BENEFITS
SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctor fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits
FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES
For an appointee recruited outside of Fiji Islands, the cost of air fares by the most direct and/or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination
COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Window
SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT
Smoking is not permitted in the work place.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit, but in cases where two short-listed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The closing date for applications is 10 June 2011.
Applicants are asked to use SPC’s online recruitment system by following the link http://www.spc.int/job.html.
Applicants who cannot access the online recruitment system may send their documents to the Deputy Director-General (Suva Regional Office), Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Private Mail Bag, Suva, or submit them by fax (+679 33 70 021) or email ( recruitsuva@spc.int , preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format).
Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and address how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position in their cover letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.
