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 SER Outreach, Engagement and Communications Officer will support the SER team in the valorisation of all SPC social, environmental and climate change related knowledge, including information in the forms of project content, publication or report, as well as the design of a robust management system of data, information and communication aligned with SPC SER policy and processes, including relevant platforms and existing tools.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

SER Mainstreaming

• Support the development and implementation of engagement tools and capacity-building material to support the integration of social and environmental responsibility at institutional level in coordination with broader SPC approaches.
• Design and deliver SER inductions to enhance employees’ awareness and ownership of social and environmental responsibility for sustainable practices.
• Support the development of guidelines and a community of practice regarding SER behaviour and capabilities.
• Support the implementation of SPC’s environmentally responsible initiatives (including waste management system) across all premises through appropriate knowledge dissemination and process /guidelines development.

SER Awareness

• Support the development of environmentally sustainable actions across SPC for raising awareness and team building within SPC offices and activities in coordinated manner with SPC’s Internal Communications and Outreach Advisor and relevant teams across the organisation.
• Coordinate special events on social and environmental themes.
• Support the collection of feedback and insights on SER-related actions within SPC to generate internal reports that inform ongoing strategies and support decision-making by highlighting progress and areas for improvement.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the impact of SER communication activities.
• Design toolkits with resources and guidelines for divisions and staff to independently promote SER and facilitate integration within their teams.

SER Communications

• Develop and maintain reports, presentations, and communication materials to effectively communicate the organisation’s social and environmental initiatives, as well as social and environmental safeguards throughout all technical work.
• Develop with the corporate communication division an up to date SER webpage for external audiences, including grievance mechanisms.
• Support the development of environmentally sustainable actions across SPC for raising awareness and team building for SPC staff through all SPC premises and office locations.
• Create targeted communication campaigns to promote environmentally and socially responsible thematics such as waste reduction, biodiversity conservation, gender equality, and inclusion.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A bachelor degree in communication, with experience in a relevant field such as climate change environmental management or equivalent experience

Technical expertise

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in communication
• Proven experience in supporting communications campaigns
• Experience in Social and Environmental Responsibility at corporate level
• 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
• 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 French and 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 October 2027 and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – the SER Outreach, Engagement and Communications Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,912–3,544 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 430,728–524,172 (USD 3,873–4,713; EUR 3,609–4,393). 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.

How to Apply:

Application procedure

Closing date: 1 December 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: KK000067

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. Why according to you , should Social and Environmental Responsibility awareness be enhanced throughout SPC staff and how would your role contribute do this?
2. You may have visited the CCES website and associated content. What communication actions would you take in order to foster engagement among key stakeholders, make the SER webpage more visible regionally and internationally?
3. What new or innovative digital communications trends do you see as useful for the Pacific, and an area you believe should be utilised to promote increased understanding of SPC’s work on SER?