Information and Communication Officer

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 Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme (CCES) was established to enable SPC to strengthen and streamline its actions on climate change by bringing together work already undertaken by the organisation under a coherent strategic and technical leadership. In addition, it leads the actions of SPC on climate change and environmental sustainability, works with the Organisation’s regional and international partners and promotes the integration of these issues into all development activities conducted by the Organisation’s divisions.

The role – the Information and Communication Officer will provide a high-level communication support to the CCF in the valorization of all SPC climate change related activities, in order to ensure a high visibility of the CCF’s activities and results.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Corporate Communications

• Ensure all divisional communications content (media releases, blogs, stories, multimedia and Social media), as well as content co-developed with partners (for projects led by SPC), meet corporate guidelines for structure, style, brand, content and messaging.
• Coordinate divisional Social Media activity through the Corporate Communications systems &/or ensure a Divisional team member is assigned to consistently respond to weekly calls for content (sent by Corporate Communications on Wednesdays).
• Provide guidance, respond to, or identify spokespeople for comment on relevant issues for media questions, executive speeches, corporate campaigns, etc.; proactively provide to Corporate Communications story ideas, pitches or updates about key projects.
• Participate in all monthly core communications group meetings, monthly story group meetings and all training organized by Corporate Communications throughout the year. Or if your participation is impossible, a representative of the division is assigned.

Design and implement the communication and visibility strategy for the CCF, with regular updating to keep it current

• Design the communication and visibility strategy of CCF, in collaboration with all SPC divisions and implement the action plan.
• Update the CCF communication and visibility strategy on an annual basis with inputs from SPC divisions
• Establish communication templates for CCF partners to be used for different communication platforms.
• Assess different communication options under the strategy to guide the best communication approaches
• In collaboration with the other SPC services, assess and measure the effectiveness of the communication of the CCF project and adjust the approaches accordingly.
• Support the adequate communication of the CCF results and achievements in collaboration with the MEL officer.

Communications and Visibility Support for the CCF Programme

• Produce regular communication products and ensure they are widely distributed to increase the CCF visibility.
• Support the development of innovative and strong communication tools and dissemination strategies to value climate change publications of SPC and enhance the organisation’s visibility in CC.
• Establish a storage and archiving system for storing all the articles, materials and communication tools of the project.
• Assist the SPC communication unit by relaying and/or drafting CC news items.
• In collaboration with the SPC Communication Unit, develop a CCF website, and articulate it with CCES webpages.
• In collaboration with SPC’s Divisions, develop material and media to promote and lead the implementation of a sustainable process to make sure all CC related publications are channeled to CCES.
• Support for the organisation, planning and facilitation of communication events (conference, seminar, etc.).

Support the design, development and delivery of information and knowledge management system for Climate Change

• Design an internal process to value literature and peer reviewed papers, ‘stories’, results and case studies from technical divisions involved in the CCF – scientific, technical and communication focal points.
• Design products that value the information collected (whether in the form of publications, electronic tutorials, pwp or other).
• Develop in collaboration with ICT and within the framework of the Pacific Data Hub an appropriate archiving system so that all documents are properly identified, recorded and archived onto SPC website.
• Define appropriate systems to articulate and access CC data in collaboration with SPC divisions.
• Design with relevant SPC divisions the most relevant system to store information online using relevant platforms and existing online tools (Pacific Data Hub).

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in communication, media, marketing or a related field and in one of the fields covered by the project with successful communication experience or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 5-6 years’ experience in designing and implementing programme or project or communication strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in creating and publishing content for the web and social networks; Experience of working with communication and/or knowledge systems and software for scientific data.
• Proven experience in networking, relationship building and partnership management with different stakeholders.
• Ability to mobilise various partners.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced and multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality and human rights based approaches.
• A proactive and positive team player able to work effectively in a multicultural environment, with great initiative, willing to lend a hand in a broad range of tasks to support the CCES team in achieving their goals.
• Demonstrated competence in being well organized, works effectively under minimal supervision, able to multi-task, and effectively meet deadlines on multiple, and sometimes urgent requests for support.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English (spoken and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Excellent interpersonal skills in the multicultural environment of the Pacific Islands.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until 31 March 2027 and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – the Information and Communication Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,912–3,544 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 425,603–517,935 (USD 3,873–4,713; EUR 3,567–4,340). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides 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).

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 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.