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 Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.
The role – the Postdoctoral Researcher (Fisheries Science-biochronologies) will have responsibilities for providing technical support to the “Climate Science to Ensure Pacific Tuna Access” project activity “establish baseline biochronologies for important Pacific fisheries”.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Applying laboratory methods to fish hard-parts to benchmark their biochronologies
- Lead laboratory analyses of fish hard-parts to estimate the vulnerabilities of species to the impacts of fishing and climate change.
Undertake standalone data analyses and prepare data for integration into population dynamics models and climate change analyses
- Contribute to establishing life-histories baselines for important Pacific fisheries.
- Contribute to the establishment and testing of candidate indicators that are robust measure of the impacts of climate change on the biological resources in the western and central Pacific Ocean.
- Provide regular progress updates on project activities to key fisheries staff in-countries and SPC Noumea.
- Participate in the reporting and communication processes for the projects.
Assisting with fast tracking the development of the Pacific Marine Specimen Bank to include/support sub-regional facilities that allow for in-situ processing and analyses of biological samples to support science and compliance needs
- Assist in the implementation of activities associated with FAME’s Pacific Marine Specimen Bank.
- Assist in the scoping the feasibility for establishing sub-regional facilities for in-situ processing of biological samples in SPC member countries.
Provide, and facilitate access to, fisheries information
- Work with and co-ordinate industry involvement in FAME research.
- Liaise and provide technical information to relevant agencies and partners, including local governments, fisheries agencies, NGOs, organization and communities.
- Support industry, stakeholder groups, agencies, and communities to be involved in FAME related initiatives.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- PhD degree in a relevant field such as natural resource management, fisheries science or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
Technical expertise
- Proven expertise in quantitative fisheries or ecological sciences.
- Knowledge of statistical methods for data integration and analysis.
- Programming experience in R or Python, or similar high-level language for manipulating large volumes of data.
- Demonstrated technical report writing skills necessary to prepare technical reports and academic texts in English.
Language skills
- Excellent communication in English.
- Well-developed technical and executive communication skills required to interact with senior officials from member countries and non-member countries involved in tuna fisheries of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Proven ability to work as part of an inter-disciplinary and/or multi-cultural team
- Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This contract is budgeted until 31 December 2026.
Remuneration – the Postdoctoral Researcher (Fisheries Science-biochronologies) is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,568-4,364 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 521,491-637,777 (USD 4,745-5,804; EUR 4,370-5,345). 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. Progression within the salary scale will be 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.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing date: 30 March 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: CR000390
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.
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 does the term biochronology mean in fisheries science?
- What practices in an otolith laboratory are high risk to operator health and safety?
- What is the distinction between oceanic and coastal fisheries?