Project Officer

• Noumea or Suva-based position
• 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 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 Project Officer will contribute to the successful delivery of PCCOS projects by strengthening project planning, coordination, and implementation processes, while ensuring high standards of documentation, compliance, and performance monitoring. The role also supports effective resource allocation, procurement and contract management, and the maintenance of accurate project records, while closely tracking progress against workplans, budgets, and results frameworks.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Project planning, coordination and implementation

• Develop detailed project plans, including schedules, budget updates, and costed workplans
• Assess project requirements and risks, and incorporate this information into the project plan
• Facilitate the allocation of project resources, including equipment, and materials
• Ensure projects are compliant with policies, processes, and project management standards
• Develop solutions to problems of moderate scope and complexity
• Plan and schedule tasks to accomplish activities according to the workplan
• Support a cross-programmatic approach between teams within different divisions and across PCCOS-hosted or supported regional initiatives.

Documentation and contract management

• Prepare terms of reference for consultancy contracts
• Support procurement processes (requests for proposals, request for quotations, expressions of interest) and manage contracts of consultants in line with SPC and donor requirements
• Support development of concepts and proposals and prepare documentation and budgets for resource mobilisation and reporting
• Manage donor and partner requirements and documentation, including support for agreements and contracts
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure communication is clear and timely
• Monitor all procurement activities to ensure accurate and timely information to allow effective follow-up actions where needed
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation and file structures
• Ensure that best practice project management tools including boards, logs, and registers are in place and updated
• Ensure that project records are complete and filed appropriately

Monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting

• Collect actuals data and compile forecasts and set up/maintain project files and workplans
• Prepare regular project updates for stakeholders and respond to their feedback
• Support monitoring and evaluation activities and actively collect data to show progress against project goals and objectives
• Monitor project progress and suggest corrective action as necessary to keep the project on track
• Work with technical teams to provide support as necessary to other PCCOS and Ocean Flagship projects

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as project management, planning, monitoring and evaluation business administration, or related fields such as ocean or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of experience in project related coordination/management position ideally in the Pacific region
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in project planning and management
• Demonstrated experience working in regional/international organisations to deliver donor-funded projects
• Demonstrated experience with the implementation of multi-sector projects in a cross-cutting field such as ocean or climate change

Language skills

• Fluency in English

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 until 31 December 2027 and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Project Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale.

For a Noumea based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,038-3,702 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 438,381-534,098 (USD 4,071-4,960; EUR 3,674-4,476). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

For a Suva based position – a starting salary range of 2,146‒2,683 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,632–8,290 (USD 2,876–3,595; EUR 2,595–3,244).  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.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea or Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance (or 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 26 July 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: KK000115

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. Can you give an example where you coordinated multiple stakeholders or teams to deliver project activities? How did you ensure alignment and keep the project on track? What tools or methods did you use?
2. What experience do you have managing the full lifecycle of a procurement or consultancy process — from drafting Terms of Reference to closing out the engagement? How did you ensure clarity, timely follow-up, and compliance with requirements?
3. Describe how you have produced progress reports for donors. What data sources did you draw on, how did you ensure accuracy, and what did you do when the project fell behind workplans or KPIs?