Programme Manager – Pacific Fisheries Leadership Programme – New Caledonia (France)

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the Pacific’s premier scientific and technical organization, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organization owned and governed by our 27 member countries and territories. In pursuit of sustainable development for the benefit of the people of the Pacific, our unique organization works in more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in areas such as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) is one of the oldest divisions of the SPC and has been providing scientific and technical expertise in support of fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is sustainable management of fisheries resources in the Pacific to ensure economic growth, food security and environmental protection. FAME comprises the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and the Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the regional centre for oceanic fisheries science and information and provides critical data collection, data management, and modelling and analysis services for the Pacific. CFP provides scientific and technical support to PICTs to improve coastal fisheries management and the sustainable development of near-coastal aquaculture and livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP is supported by the Office of the FAME Director, which includes the Information Division, Communications, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.

The role – The Program Manager – Pacific Fisheries Leadership Program is responsible for sourcing the design and implementation partner. The Program Manager is responsible for day-to-day strategic management, including planning, budgeting and reporting to ensure that activities are implemented in close coordination with key stakeholders.

The main responsibilities of this role include the following:

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

• Collaborate with key stakeholders on the technical assessment panel.
• Work closely with the procurement unit in advance of the procurement committee.
• Ensure new contractual arrangements are made to maintain maximum flexibility in line with PFLP’s adaptive management approach.
• Work with key stakeholders to establish the governance and leadership advisory mechanism for Phase II of the PLFP.
• Building on the learnings from Phase I, the PLFP Phase II Steering Committee will ensure that implementing partners/contractors coordinate their work and collaborate with each other to align leadership activities with the PFLP adaptive leadership methodology.

Provide hands-on day-to-day management of all program activities, budget, components, logistics and stakeholders.

• Develop an annual work plan in close consultation with key stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Coordinate the program, including regular open and active communication.
• Create and maintain internal protocols for information and document management, risk management, training and development.
• Plan the logistics for all workshops and events from start to finish according to the needs, objectives and intended impact on the target audience.
• Ensure 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 ownership of the program’s strategic management processes, including the adaptive management approach, developing new leadership-related offerings, and working with the Leadership Management Committee and donor partner (New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

• Work closely with key stakeholders and delivery partners to develop the annual work plan for Phase II of the PFLP.
• Represent and promote the program and maintain effective and close cooperation with all program stakeholders.
• Take responsibility for the strategic management process and direction of PFLP during the last two years of the current phase and develop a strategic proposal for MFAT for a subsequent phase.
• Liaison with key stakeholders of PFLP Phase II and MFAT and coordinate the development and implementation of new governance initiatives and pilot projects relevant to Pacific fisheries.
• Engage with all participants in the program as a central and regular contact person.

Support communication and overall oversight of monitoring, evaluation, learning and adaptation for PFLP, including regular compilation of MEL information for implementing partners, preparation of reports according to SPC and donor requirements, and dissemination of 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.
• Use the MEL information generated within the programme to compile regular updates for stakeholders and implementing partners, enabling continuous learning and adaptation within the programme.
• Drafting and transmitting correspondence (official/unofficial) for internal and external communication.
• Use social media regularly to promote the program and distribute relevant and targeted messages, including to recruit participants.
• Develop learning and performance reports and reports for the SPC learning and outcome reporting process
• Develop reports and communications for stakeholders, conferences and MFAT.

A more detailed description of the main responsibilities can be found see online job description.

Important selection criteria

Qualifications

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

Technical know-how

• At least 10 years’ experience in a related field of work with increasing 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 of experience leading projects directly in fisheries or in leadership development.
• Proven experience in strategic project management and implementation monitoring.
• Proven experience in working effectively with high-level representatives of key stakeholders such as donor agencies, agency directors and fisheries managers.
• Proven experience in budget management with good knowledge of performance and planning processes.
• Proven ability to organize high-level meetings and workshops efficiently and effectively
• Monitoring, evaluating and learning. Experience and familiarity with key principles.
• Proven understanding and experience in aid and international development in the Pacific
• Exceptional communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English and the ability to mobilize and engage people.
• Proven ability to work with people of diverse technical skills and cultural backgrounds.
• Significant experience in the Pacific.

Language skills

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific island states and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract duration – The vacant position is limited to 3 years and can be extended depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Program Manager – Pacific Fisheries Leadership Program is a salary level 11 position on SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary of 4,206-5,161 SDRs (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which corresponds approximately to XPF 622,159-763,470 (USD 5,594-6,865; EUR 5,214-6,398). An offer of employment for an initial contract in the lower half of this range will be made taking into account experience and qualifications. Advancement within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are currently not subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidized housing in Noumea. Installation and repatriation grants, relocation expenses, airfare, home leave, health, life and disability insurance, and training grants are available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per year and other types of leave, as well as access to SPC’s provident fund (which is 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages ​​are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC recruits on the basis of merit and fairness, and candidates compete in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is a Equal opportunity employerand is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and employ candidates who respect these values. Due attention will be given to gender equality and to maintaining a strong representation of Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are rated equally by the Selection Committee, preference will be given to the one who Islanders from the PacificApplicants are assured of absolute confidentiality in accordance with SPC’s privacy policy.