South Pacific Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment)

1. The Secretariat of the Pacific Community invites applications for the position of Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment). The closing date for applications is 30 June 2008.

2. The attached statement sets out the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, experience and skills required for the position, plus the terms and conditions of employment. The position is one of four SPC-based positions that forms part of the Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management (OFM) Project funded by the Global Environment Facility. The appointment is initially until 30 September 2010 but may be extended for a further period, depending on performance and availability of funds.

3. Recruitment for the position will follow standard selection procedures, with the successful candidate being chosen by the Director-General on the basis of merit.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers
Director-General

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. It works in a wide range of sectors, including natural resources (agriculture, fisheries and forestry), health, statistics, human development, information communication technology and social issues. SPC was established in 1947. It has 26 member countries and territories and its working languages are English and French. The organisation has approximately 350 staff and a total annual budget of XPF 4.3 billion (approximately USD 48 million).

SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji Islands and in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. SPC has gained a reputation for providing ‘real solutions to real problems’ in the Pacific (SPC Corporate Review, 2005) and strives to maintain professionalism, integrity and pragmatism in delivering its services. Additional information on SPC can be found on its website: www.spc.int.

The Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management (OFM) Project was established in 2005 to support Pacific Island countries in the implementation of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention. The project, financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is being executed by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in collaboration with SPC and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

The goals of the OFM Project combine the interests of the global community in the conservation of a marine ecosystem covering a huge area of the surface of the globe with the interests of some of the world’s smallest nations in the responsible and sustainable management of the resources of tuna and related species that are crucial for their sustainable development.

The Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) of SPC is responsible for implementing the Scientific Assessment and Monitoring Enhancement Component of the OFM Project. This component is aimed at providing improved scientific information and knowledge on the oceanic transboundary fish stocks and related ecosystem aspects of the Western Tropical Pacific Warm Pool Large Marine Ecosystem, and at strengthening the national capacities of Pacific Island countries in these areas.

The other two components of the project are the responsibility of FFA. They are the Law, Policy and Institutional Reform, Realignment and Strengthening Component, aimed at assisting Pacific Island countries as they participate in the work of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and at the same time reform, realign and strengthen their national laws, policies, institutions and programmes relating to management of transboundary oceanic fisheries and protection of marine biodiversity; and the Coordination, Participation and Information Services Component, aimed at effective project management and complemented by mechanisms to increase participation and raise awareness of the conservation and management of oceanic resources and the oceanic environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment) will provide scientific advice on the status of tuna and other transboundary stocks to Pacific small island developing states (SIDS) to support the development of effective national and regional fisheries management arrangements for the oceanic fisheries of the western and central Pacific. The post will work in close collaboration with the FFA-based Fishery Management Advisers, other OFP staff and national fisheries staff of Pacific SIDS.

The Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment) will provide written and oral reports tailored to meet the scientific information requirements of national tuna management plans (TMPs). The post will also provide training to national counterparts in analytical methods to support TMP implementation and to promote their effective participation in WCPFC scientific processes.

The position is based at SPC headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia, but the incumbent will be required to travel extensively, mainly within the Pacific region. The position is responsible to the Principal Fisheries Scientist (Stock Assessment). Specific duties and responsibilities are to:

* Work with other OFP staff and national staff in the development of National Tuna Fishery Status Reports to assist in the implementation of TMPs. This will involve the analysis of fishery catch and effort and biological and oceanographic data, and interpretation of the results from stock assessment models.
* Present and discuss Status Reports at national stakeholder workshops.
* Provide contributions to briefs on scientific issues for Pacific SIDS for meetings of WCPFC, the Scientific Committee and associated Specialist Working Groups.
* Present scientific briefs to preparatory meetings of Pacific SIDS for WCPFC and the Scientific Committee.
* Provide training to national counterparts in analytical and data handling methods required to support TMP implementation, through attachments and in-country workshops.
* Provide training in regional stock assessment methods and interpretation at regional workshops.
* Participate in regional stock assessment work undertaken by OFP.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

* Relevant tertiary qualification, preferably at postgraduate level, in fisheries science, population biology, stock assessment modelling, natural resource management, or a related discipline
* Thorough knowledge of fisheries stock assessment principles and techniques
* Demonstrated analytical and research capabilities
* Skills in data analysis, statistics and modelling of fisheries data
* At least five years of practical fisheries stock assessment experience
* At least five years of professional experience in the development of scientific advice for fisheries management
* Excellent verbal and written presentation and communications skills in English, both at a technical level and in the preparation of information for the general public
* Ability to organise and deliver effective training programmes in workshop and counterpart-attachment situations
* Proven ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary and/or multicultural team
* Ability to meet project deadlines, often under difficult circumstances
* Ability to work within Pacific Island communities.

Highly desirable

* Direct experience of fisheries issues in the Pacific region
* An understanding of fisheries economics, the western and central Pacific tuna fishery and the Pacific Islands region
* Familiarity with and knowledge of participating countries.

SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SALARY AND ALLOWANCES

The starting salary will depend on experience and qualifications and will be in Grade J 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 French Pacific franc (XPF) in New Caledonia. The salary range for this grade is SDR 4,165–5,430 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert into approximately XPF 549,158–715,860 per month (USD 6,900–9,000; € 4,600–6,000).

The organisation subsidises housing. An SPC-owned or SPC-rented house or flat will be made available, with the staff member contributing 25 per cent of the normal rental.

In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of New Caledonia. Where appropriate, other allowances such as child and education allowance will be paid.

SPC emoluments are not subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time.

TENURE

The appointment is initially until 30 September 2010 but may be extended for a further period, depending on performance and availability of funds.

DUTY STATION

Noumea, New Caledonia.

LEAVE

Leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum of active duty.

Sick leave is 30 working days per annum.

MEDICAL BENEFITS

SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctors’ 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.

PROVIDENT FUND

The appointee will be eligible for membership of SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute 8 per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution.

FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES

For an appointee recruited outside New Caledonia, 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 Windows.

SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT

Smoking is not permitted in the workplace.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based on merit. If two short-listed candidates are judged to be equally qualified, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

ADDRESS AND CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications should be addressed to the Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, PO Box D5, 98848 Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia, to arrive by 30 June 2008.

Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and address the selection criteria for the position in their covering letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.

Applications may be submitted by fax (+687 26 38 18) or email ( spc@spc.int This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format).