Programme Manager – Pacific Fisheries Leadership Programme

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 Programme Manager – Pacific Fisheries Leadership Programme will be responsible for facilitating procurement of the design and implementing partner. The Programme Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day strategic management, including planning, budgeting and reporting, to ensure activities are implemented in close consultation with key stakeholders.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Lead the competitive procurement and contracting process to transition from PFLP Phase I to Phase II, support establishment and implementation of governance mechanisms.

• Liaise with key stakeholders for the technical assessment panel.
• Work closely with the Procurement Unit in the lead up to the Procurement Committee.
• Ensure new contracting arrangements are established to maintain a maximum amount of flexibility to align with PFLP’s adaptive management approach.
• Work with key stakeholders to establish the governance and leadership advisory mechanism for PLFP Phase II.
• Drawing on lessons from Phase I, the governing body for PLFP Phase II will ensure implementing partners/contractors are coordinating. and collaborating with one another to enable leadership activities to be aligned with PFLP’s adaptive leadership methodology.

Provide practical day-to-day management of the full range of activities, budget, components, logistics and stakeholders of the Programme.

• Develop Annual Workplan in close consultation with key stakeholders and delivery partner(s).
• Coordinate the programme, including regular open and active communication.
• Establish and maintain internal protocols on information and document management, risk management, training and development.
• Plan logistics for all workshops and events from start to finish, according to requirements, objectives and intended impact on the target audience.
• Provide efficient financial support including budget management of activities and financial management of consortium members.
• Manage the PFLP budget and provide regular (monthly) updates to the SPC FAME Team Leader.

Take responsibility for the strategic management processes of the programme including the adaptive management approach, developing new leadership related offerings, and engaging with the leadership governing committee and the donor partner (New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

• Work closely with key stakeholders and delivery partners(s) to develop the Annual Workplan for PFLP Phase II.
• Represent and promote the programme and liaise effectively and closely with all stakeholders of the programme.
• Take responsibility for the strategic management process and direction of PFLP for the final 2 years of the current phase and developing a strategic proposal for MFAT for a subsequent phase.
• Liaise with key stakeholders of PFLP Phase II and MFAT, coordinate the development and delivery of new leadership initiatives and pilots relevant to Pacific fisheries.
• Engage with all participants in the programme as the main point of regular contact.

Support communication and overall oversight of monitoring, evaluation, learning and adaptation for PFLP including regularly compiling MEL information for implementing partners, writing reports as required by SPC and Donors and disseminating knowledge and information through appropriate media

• Work closely with the SPC FAME MEL Team to ensure a robust and coordinated approach to the MEL is implemented.
• Utilise MEL information being generated within the Programme to compile regular updates for stakeholders and implementing partners to inform ongoing learning and adaptation within the Programme.
• Drafting and transmitting correspondence (official/unofficial) for both internal and external communication.
• Regularly use social media to promote the programme and disseminate relevant and purposeful communication, including to recruit participants.
• Develop learning and performance stories and reports for the SPC learning and results reporting process
• Develop reports and communications for the stakeholders, Conferences and MFAT.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Specialised degree in Development / Business Administration / Finance / Event Management / Evaluation

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years-experience in a related field of work, at an increasing level of responsibility, for example, in programme or project management, business administration/Monitoring and Evaluation or event management preferably in a Pacific context.
• At least 2 years’ experience managing projects directly in fisheries or in leadership development.
• Demonstrated experience in the strategic leadership of projects and oversight of delivery.
• Demonstrated experience of effective liaison with senior representatives of key stakeholders such as donor agencies, directors of agencies, heads of fisheries.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets with a good understanding of performance and planning processes.
• Demonstrated capacity to efficiently and effectively organise high level meetings and workshops
• Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Experience and familiarity with key principles.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in the aid and international development sector in the Pacific
• Exceptional communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English and the ability mobilise and engage people.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with people from different technical skills and cultural backgrounds.
• Significant Pacific experience.

Language skills

• Fluency in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Programme Manager – Pacific Fisheries Leadership Programme is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,206-5,161 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 622,159-763,470 (USD 5,594-6,865; EUR 5,214-6,398). 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: 15 September 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000260

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):

1. Describe a role you have held that is relevant to this position and explain how that experience has prepared you for this opportunity
2. How do you manage or prevent delays and backlogs within your project team? Provide some examples.
3. Describe how you would respond in a scenario where a training participant provided negative feedback about a cohort training recently delivered by PFLP? What will you do?