Programmes Manager - PEUMP Phase 2 - Programme Management Unit (PEUMP PMU)

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

SPC’s Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) capability has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 65 years. The goal of SPC FAME is that the fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. In pursuit of this goal, SPC FAME provides scientific and management advice to Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and regional agencies to support the management of sustainable oceanic fisheries, coastal fisheries, marine ecosystems and aquaculture development. Along with addressing the challenges in the management of the region’s marine resources, there are also significant opportunities to derive greater economic and social benefits from them. Deriving greater benefits from the tuna fisheries, the development of aquaculture in the region, along with alternative livelihoods in coastal fisheries, hold significant potential. SPC FAME provides technical assistance to support PICTs to maximise these sustainable development opportunities in the marine sector and in some parts of the freshwater sector.

SPC FAME is composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecosystems Programme (MEP). The Director’s Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the three programmes and cross-cutting projects. Working with all 22 PICTs, SPC FAME has strong partnerships with regional, sub-regional and national entities working in the marine sector. SPC FAME staff are based in New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tonga, with most of the staff being based in New Caledonia.

The role – Programmes Manager – Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership Phase 2 – Programme Management Unit (PEUMP PMU) will be responsible for the implementation of the PEUMP Phase 2 programme in line with the EU rules and requirements. The role will serve as coordination of all partners engaged (FFA, USP) on all its components. 

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Programme management and activities

• Coordinate reporting inputs from all PEUMP Phase 2 components with essential support from the MEL Specialist.
• Prepare and finalise the PEUMP Phase 2 inception report in collaboration with programme partners.
• Compile and draft the PEUMP Phase 2 annual report covering all KRAs and finances to the EU in line with the programme’s objectives and timelines and the input received from partners.
• Ensure the MEL, knowledge management, GESI and human rights considerations are adequately incorporated into the reporting structure to meet EU requirements.
• Arrange the semi-annual Programme Coordination Group (PCG) Meetings including additional PCGs on a needs-basis, the annual Steering Committee meetings, and inception workshop for the PEUMP Phase 2 implementing partners including USP and act as secretary to ensure effective coordination and reporting.

Financial management and monitoring

• Work with the Finance Officer to ensure financial reports are accurate, complete and provided in a timely fashion.
• Support the procurement of goods and services ensuring compliance with SPC policies.
• Coordinate the preparation of funding requests to the EU when expenditure thresholds are reached.
• Ensures the disbursement of funds to the PEUMP Phase 2 co-delegate (FFA) and monitor expenditure rates with the Finance Officer. 

Coordinate the implementation of knowledge management, MEL, and GESI/human rights

• Collaborate with the Knowledge Management and Engagement Officer to ensure visibility and communication tasks are aligned with contractual obligations, appropriately acknowledging the funding source for the PEUMP Phase 2 programme and its implementation across all components.
• Support the MEL specialist in monitoring the success of the programme across all KRAs against the indicators within the PEUMP Phase 2 agreement document and corresponding log frame.
• Support the Gender and Human Rights Specialist to ensure mainstreaming activities are provided across all KRAs of the PEUMP Phase 2 programme, with progress accurately recorded and reflected in the programme’s mid-year and annual reports to the EU.

Facilitates partnerships and inter-agency networking

• Engage with regional and international organisations, NGOs and the EU on PEUMP Phase 2 activities, promoting collaborations across implementing partners and strengthening partnerships at all levels.
• Work closely with all the component areas under the PEUMP Phase 2 programme including FFA, USP and OPOC to ensure collaborations and synergies including the integration of cross-cutting areas such as GESI, human rights and knowledge management.
• Support and promote collaborations with other SPC divisions on issues such as food security, small-scale livelihoods, climate change adaptation and ocean governance while fostering alignment with SPC’s flagship programmes on ocean, gender and food systems.

Programme administration and communication

• Coordinate planning meetings for annual work plan and report development, ensuring timely inputs across the PMU team.
• Maintain up to date corporate and administrative procedures, including training data for all activities in collaboration– with the MEL Specialist and the FAME MEL Unit.
• Contribute to the Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications such as the Fisheries Newsletters and PEUMP Phase 2 articles and reports, as required.
• Produce activity reports, technical reports and trip reports in the appropriate formats and within agreed timelines.
• Provide support to PMU operations by assisting team members or covering duties during periods of leave or duty travel.

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

Key selection criteria 

Qualifications 

• Postgraduate degree in programme or project management, international development or equivalent body of knowledge and experience. 

Technical expertise

• At least 12 years’ of experience in programme coordination or project management with additional knowledge of reporting in line with EU rules and requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and lead an integrated programme or unit involving colleagues from several different countries, cultures and disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and compiling work progresses across multiple partners for combined reporting against specific objectives and success indicators.
• Proven ability to design, plan and facilitate workshops and coordination/steering meetings and planning session for costed work plan development.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, social inclusion and human-rights based approaches.
• Experience working with PC systems and MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software, and software programmes for data entry and management including using online shared file systems.
• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.        

Language skills 

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage. 

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness 

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment. 

Salary, terms and conditions 

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Programmes Manager is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale with a starting salary range of 3,743‒4,679 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 11,267–14,084 (USD 4,978–6,223; EUR 4,585–5,731). Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. 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 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.

Application procedure 

Closing Date: 11 January 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000919 

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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. Describe a past programme you have managed that required multi-partner reporting to a donor.
2. Provide an example where you successfully oversaw programme finances, procurement or expenditure monitoring.
3. Describe a time you led coordination across diverse organisations or regions. How did you maintain engagement and ensure delivery of shared outputs?