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 Human Rights and Social Development Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.
In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:
- Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
- Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
- Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
- Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
- Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.
The USD 20 million donor-funded ‘Promoting Just, Engaged, Civic-minded and Transparent Governance in the Pacific Project’ (‘PROJECT Governance’) is a flexible and adaptive implementing mechanism that will strengthen the practice of sound, just, and responsive governance in the region. PROJECT Governance is anchored by the commitments made by the Pacific Island Forum leaders in the 2000 Biketawa Declaration and reaffirmed in the 2018 Boe Declaration.
The role – Communications Adviser will be responsible for the PROJECT Governance communications and visibility.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
Strategy Development and Implementation
- Develop, implement and oversee a PROJECT Governance Communications Strategy aligned with programme, donor and organisational objectives and priorities.
- Contribute to the development, enhancement, and implementation of the HRSD Divisions Communications Framework.
Content Creation and Management
- Create compelling and impactful content including press releases, articles, speeches, reports, and other communication materials for both internal and external audiences.
Strategic Outreach and Creation
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate effective communication and partnerships.
- Provide timely support the Pro-Gov Programme Manager and MELKMC Team Lader with quality advice on appropriate stakeholder engagement tools, methods and channels.
Management and Leadership
- Contribute to a team environment that is high- performing, respectful and committed to continuous learning; lead by example.
- Represent, contribute, manage and lead HRSD events and activities.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- A post graduate qualification in journalism or communications, or a related discipline from a recognised university or equivalent experience.
Technical expertise
- At least 7 years of relevant experience at the regional or international level in public relations, public information, communications, stakeholder engagement or advocacy for donor-funded projects or programmes.
- Broad understanding of the development context, as well as the challenges and opportunities that frame programme implementation within the Pacific.
- Demonstrated experience in establishing effective communications and engagement strategies and content production plans aligned with programme / business plans and priorities.
- A collaborative and open communication style with strong interpersonal and influencing capabilities to build relationships across different stakeholder groups.
- Experience working autonomously to deliver a variety of communications materials, including briefs, PowerPoint presentations, social media posts and donor reports.
- Proficiency in digital communication tools and social media platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team- based environment and supervise junior staff and consultants.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex information to a technical and non-technical audience.
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 2 May 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration – The Communications Adviser is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,672–9,591 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,191–3,989). 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: JM000749
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):
- What has motivated you to apply for this role and how do you see this as contributing to successful delivery of effective communications approaches in the Pacific region?
- What is the benefit of planning and how do you monitor / track the effectiveness of communications and public diplomacy actions you are implementing or have implemented? Please refer to an example of success you have had in previous roles in your response.
- How would you actively engage with Pacific governments and stakeholders in appropriate ways to ensure they engage with the human rights and governance work at SPC? Please provide an example where you have done this before, and any outcomes achieved.