Director - Land Resources Division

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

The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides effective expert scientific advice, capacity building and services on conservation, development and utilisation of plant genetic resources, forest and landscape management, resilient agricultural systems, diversification of livelihood strategies and access to markets to maintain ecosystem services and improve land productivity and the food, nutrition security and resilience of Pacific communities. LRD has expertise in genetic resource conservation, resilient agriculture, biosecurity, pest and disease management, agricultural extension, plant pathology, entomology and animal health. It collaborates with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to pinpoint the needs and priorities of Pacific countries and communities and provide technical expertise to address them. This mission is realised through four main thematic work areas, or pillars, and a progressively integrated approach to programming that works towards achieving SPC’s development goals.

The role – Director – Land Resources Division will provide executive leadership and management for the Land Resources Division (LRD) and manage the provision of scientific, technical and policy support in the development of land, agriculture and forestry resources for member countries throughout the Pacific, lead LRD’s work programme and key functions, including the development and resource mobilization for some of SPC’s Integrated Programs in as far as they relate to food and nutrition security and oversee the management of its operations, including budgetary expenditure, financial performance, effective reporting, evaluation and impact assessment and work collaboratively with the Executive and Senior Leadership Team in all SPC locations to achieve strategic objectives and implement operational policies.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Strategy, planning and change management

• Provide vision and leadership to the LRD, and strategic policy advice on broader land resource development matters.
• Undertake strategic planning to ensure that the work for the LRD meets the needs of SPC members, other key LRD clients and stakeholders and is aligned to the SPC strategic plan.
• Lead and implement an ongoing process of change across LRD and aligned to the work of other divisions, demonstrating a constructive approach including visibility, credibility, accountability, and clear communications.
• Lead cross-divisional integration efforts to ensure that LRD is well placed to respond through multi-sectoral approaches and integrated programmes.

Leadership, staff management and strategic oversight of division activities

• Create/maintain an environment that fosters effective working relationships, staff development, collaboration and high performing teams.
• Develop and maintain an integrated LRD work programme that focuses on technical priority areas of member countries and territories.
• Develop in consultation with LRD professional staff, annual work plans and work plan reports consistent with the SPC strategic plan, and development partner reporting requirements including HOAFS, MOAF, SPC, CRGA and key donors.
• Ensure planning, evaluation, reflection and learning processes are strengthened to ensure / improve relevance and effectiveness of LRD’s work.
• Undertake robust workforce planning, performance management and recruitment to ensure LRD Business plan is effectively delivered.

Client and stakeholder relationships

• Develop and maintain awareness of SPC member country needs in sectors within the scope of the division.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with key national and international clients and stakeholders (in particular the IFAD, FAO, DFAT, NZAP, European Union, CROP agencies and relevant NGOs).
• Foster healthy relationships with donors and/or development partners and ensure all opportunities for enrichment of the relationship are fully explored and donor awareness of key developments and initiatives within programmes.
• Provide advice and counsel to team members on how to best work and liaise with a diversity of external partner agencies and individuals.
• Work with UN Food Security Cluster Leads and development Partners, member of the regional Pacific Food Security Cluster (rPFSC) on a coordinated response to Cluster identified crises on food and nutrition security.

Resource mobilisation and operational management

• Contribute to mobilisation initiatives with funding agencies and advocate for long-term funding support for the work of the division among the donor community.
• Work with OMD and Divisional Directors on maintaining sufficient core funding for LRD core operations (genetic resources; plant health; biosecurity among others).
• Guide and where required provide capacity in Project Management (project – program development; budget management, reporting; impact assessment.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in a relevant field, such as agricultural science, forestry science or land management or an equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 15 years of leadership experience managing land resources or a similar field in a public sector or research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategically with a solid understanding of delivering programmes and projects of work.
• Proven history of successfully building and leading multi-disciplinary teams, including people of different national and cultural backgrounds, and demonstrated ability to manage professional, technical, and programme support staff in a team environment, ensuring everyone's role contributes to successful team outputs.
• Demonstrated experience in relationship building and working with a wide variety of donors and development partners with awareness of their policies and procedures.
• Proven ability in project/programme design, management and reporting.
• Experience with the raising of external funding and change management.
• Proven ability to influence work collegially and in partnership with stakeholders and internal partners towards an agreed outcome.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in continuous improvements and facilitating innovation across teams.
• High-level verbal and written communication skills, excellent networking skills with the ability to effectively represent SPC at regional and international forums.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills with ability to work constructively to resolve issues or concerns.
• Excellent audit, risk and financial management skills.       

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 Director – Land Resources Division is a band 15 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 5,924‒7,406 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 18,306–22,883 (USD 7,939–9,924; EUR 7,163–8,954). 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: 9 August 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000216

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. Briefly describe an example of how you contributed to a national or regional policy, strategy or framework that advanced one or more of the following: genetic resources; regenerative agriculture systems; or natural resources management. Please outline your role, approach, and outcome. (Maximum 500 words).
2. In managing a large multisectoral team, how have you balanced competing priorities from external (members and donors) and internal shareholders to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.
3. Please share your experience in resource mobilisation, and what would be the key considerations in a resource mobilisation strategy for the Land Resources Division.