Project Officer

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 Partnerships, Integration and Resource Mobilisation (PIRMO) is a newly established function at SPC, in 2021.

The role – the Project Officer will provide technical support to successfully mobilise Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity (UBPP). Under the Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity, he/she will support planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of project activities. The Project Officer will also provide operational support to PIRMO more broadly and engage and maintain positive working relationships and excellent customer service with PIRMO stakeholders.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Ensure PIRMO operations are supported, managed and reported on.

• Manages all core and project-related operational matters in line with SPC policies and procedures.
• Undertakes operational support in accordance with SPC processes.
• Executes office administration activities.
• Support the Directors office in overseeing financial matters in compliance with SPCs regulations, respond to strategic requests, including providing inputs to financial audits, accruals, forecasts, and budget.
• Develops and monitors the establishment of a PIRMO knowledge management hub and systems.
• Develops and monitors meeting and workshop budgets and expenditure, ensuring value for money.
• Establishes and maintains internal protocols on information and document management, risk management, training and development and other team management processes.
• Provides backstopping support to other project teams within SPC with approval from PIRMO Director.
• Serves as primary point of contact and liaise with vendors, including a) catering, b) printing c) stationery d) merchandise and others as needed.
• Supports the management of information (hard and e-copy) for all financial related information.

Provide project coordination support to UBPP.

• Work with the broader PIRMO team to develop and implement all project activities.
• Coordinates and tracks project activities for UBPP and any other projects within a small team and agile environment.
• Support development and timely submission of UBPP activities including, finance, procurement and other administrative tasks.
• Recruit UBPP personnel and consultants. Includes the mandatory steps in drafting terms of reference, grading, and overseeing the recruitment and onboarding process.
• Coordinate partner conversations in conjunctions with the Director and other team members.
• Oversee all procurement processes adhering to SPC policies.
• Support preparation of progress and financial reports and ensuring the accuracy and timely submission.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all interventions including training and technical assistance.

Stakeholder relationships, engagement, networking and coordination.

• Provide guidance on the practical application of protocol in an innovative and evolving public/private sector venture.
• Develop and maintain smooth and close collaboration with institutional and technical partners involved with UBPP project development in the Pacific region.
• Support stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination to advance PIRMO objectives at national, regional and institutional levels.
• Disseminates relevant information to internal and external stakeholders under the guidance of the Director PIRMO.
• Analyses the success of workshops, events using post-event surveys and participant feedback and organising lessons learned meetings with the PIRMO team following all events.
• Engage in working groups, task forces and other technical committees.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field such as accounting, financial management or business administration or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 7-8 years of experience in project finance, procurement, administration, and events management.
• Demonstrated experience in financial audit administration.
• Sound experience in logistics management inclusive of travel for workshops and training programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets with a good understanding of performance and planning processes.
• Demonstrated capacity to organise high level meetings and workshops efficiently and effectively.
• Demonstrated capacity to interact with various stakeholders and facilitate linkages.

Language skills

• Good communication skills, including excellent written English and French and the ability to write for and to a variety of stakeholder groups.

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 Project Officer is a Band 9 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,209–3,915 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 474,675–579,141 (USD 4,268–5,207; EUR 3,978–4,853).

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.