The Insight Group invites applications for the position of Director-General.

Description

A rare opportunity to lead one of the most significant scientific and development organisations in the Pacific region.

The Pacific Community (SPC) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation serving 27 Pacific countries and territories. Established in 1947, SPC is the principal provider of technical and scientific expertise in the region, supporting member countries in areas ranging from ocean science and health to education, agriculture, geoscience, and climate resilience.

SPC operates with the neutrality and standing of a multilateral institution. It is governed collectively by its members, operates bilingually in English and French, and employs more than 900 staff across multiple locations in the Pacific.

The role – the Director-General serves as SPC’s chief executive and public representative. This is a high-trust, high-impact role requiring strategic leadership, diplomatic acumen, and a commitment to serving all members equally.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Vision, leadership and management

• Provide the vision, leadership and direction of the organisation, and uphold and promote its corporate values.
• Advocate and lead efforts to enhance SPC’s image, including its role in the region’s development at national, regional and international forums.
• Oversee staff appointment and management processes, including the selection and appointment of the senior management team and appointment of SPC’s executive team. Lead, motivate and inspire staff and drive the performance of the senior management team.
• Explore opportunities to develop new partnerships and secure new resources to address members’ development priorities.
• Guide SPC’s engagement in the region’s development agenda in a changing economic, social and political environment.
• Support initiatives that enhance synergies in addressing members’ national priorities through regionally delivered services.

Policy, development and change management

• Lead continuous improvement and reform across SPC to maximise the efficiency, coordination and effectiveness of its work and service delivery.
• Oversee the observance of organisational policies, with particular emphasis on SPC’s bilingualism policy.
• Maintain a vibrant policy agenda and recommend reviews and changes for consideration by the governing body to keep the organisation attuned to its regional working environment.
• Manage changes in SPC’s organisational structure to consolidate its place and role in regional development and maintain efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversee SPC’s cohesive operation as a decentralised organisation and regularly appraise the effectiveness of its decentralisation policy.
• Set annual objectives for SPC and its executive management team and be accountable for the results achieved.
• Ensure good communication is maintained within SPC and with external constituencies in regard to policy innovation and change.

Governance

• Ensure the effective leadership and management of SPC in accordance with the Director-General’s accountability to the governing body.
• Drive effective organisational governance, including proper servicing of Conference, CRGA and other key organisational meetings.
• Oversee CRGA and Conference agendas, the preparation of papers and outcome documents, and distribution of an annual report to members and development partners covering SPC’s programme activities and financial operations.
• Oversee SPC’s regulations, rules, policies and associated procedures and systems.

Work programme service delivery and performance

• Liaise at the highest level with SPC member countries and territories to ensure SPC’s programmes are relevant and effective.
• Oversee the development and implementation of SPC’s work programmes and reporting of impacts to members, donors and stakeholders.
• Maintain the continued relevance and quality of SPC’s work and ensure that divisional and programme strategic plans address the key priorities of SPC members.
• Ensure continual improvement of the platform for delivery of SPC’s technical services to individual members.
• Oversee the implementation of corporate-wide systems for performance management, including monitoring and evaluation, to enable assessment of SPC’s services, and the reporting of results and outcomes achieved at the national level.

Financial security and property

• Oversee SPC’s financial security, including preparation and revision of SPC’s annual budgets, monitoring of expenditure and cash flow, and annual audit of accounts.
• Drive resource mobilisation efforts and represent SPC at the highest levels, in particular with its donors and members.
• Drive efficiency and effectiveness measures and performance, and effectively plan for and manage risks.
• Support initiatives to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of expenditure, work programmes and administrative structures.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support interventions addressing members’ new and emerging priorities that are likely to benefit from regionally delivered services.
• Ensure appropriate protection and maintenance of SPC property.

Relationships and advocacy

• Maintain strong working relationships across SPC.
• Drive, develop and maintain strategic collaborative relationships with all member governments and administrations of SPC, development partners and other stakeholders, and ensure they are kept informed of developments within SPC.
• Advocate on behalf of members at national, regional and international forums.
• Champion SPC’s key role in the Pacific region’s development agenda at the highest political and leadership levels.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with all regional organisations, including the Pacific Islands Forum, and take advantage of the mechanism provided through the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) to better coordinate activities and minimise duplication of work programmes.
• Convene annual planning meetings with SPC’s key donors.
• Establish formal understandings or agreements with other regional and international organisations working in the same areas as SPC to maximise opportunities for cooperation.

We strongly encourage applications from Pacific Island nationals, women, and members of the Pacific diaspora with senior international experience.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree

Technical expertise

• Understanding and appreciation of the key technical and regional issues
• Technical experience in areas relating to the purpose of the organisation
• Extensive understanding of the geopolitical aspects of the region
• Demonstrable experience in formulating and articulating a vision
• Extensive leadership and management experience in a development organisation
• Experience in the management and delivery of organisational change

Language skills

• Ideally, proficiency in both English and French, or a demonstrated commitment to bilingual and bicultural leadership

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Experience in driving, developing and maintaining strategic collaborative relationships with member governments, development partners and donors

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 2 years with possibility of two further renewals (performance-based).

Remuneration & Benefits –

• Tax-free salary commensurate with the seniority of the position
• Furnished residence with vehicle
• Pension package
• Relocation support

The role is based full-time in Nouméa, New Caledonia. Remote or commuter arrangements will not be considered.

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: 31 May 2025.

Interviews will be conducted mid-year, with final appointment by SPC Ministers expected in late 2025 and formal commencement in early 2026.

Applicants must apply online (CV and cover letter) at: malcolmduncan@insgroup.com.au

If you encounter challenges when applying online, please contact malcolmduncan@insgroup.com.au(+61 418 278 952) for assistance.

Only applications received through the Insight Group will be considered. Any applications received through other channels will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.

The Insight Group is exclusively retained to undertake this assignment.