Data Analyst - Ocean Prediction and Monitoring

• 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.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are four (4) areas of scientific programming within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.
4. Earth and Ocean Observation Services – Promoting spatial data and systems analysis and capacity to improve decision-making to improve resilience and sustainable resource management.

The role – Data Analyst – Ocean Prediction and Monitoring will provide technical and analytical support to applied ocean science activities within the Oceans and Maritime Programme. The role supports ocean and geospatial data management, tidal analysis and prediction, numerical modelling activities, and the development of ocean monitoring and decision-support products. The position will also contribute to the delivery of scientifically robust ocean information services and regional capacity development.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Ocean, Geospatial and Environmental Data Analysis, Management, and Reporting

• Manage, organise and maintain oceanographic, geospatial, LiDAR and environmental datasets.
• Undertake quality assurance, validation and standardisation of datasets and metadata.
• Support integration, storage and accessibility of datasets across regional platforms, databases and portals.
• Develop and maintain data management workflows, documentation and SOPs.
• Develop tools to analyze oceanographic in-situ and model data.

Tidal Analysis, Prediction and Ocean Monitoring

• Conduct oceanographic data analysis including tidal harmonic and predictions to support operational and scientific service delivery.
• Support the production of tide tables, tidal calendars, sea level and ocean monitoring products.
• Assist with maintenance, analysis, and review of oceanographic datasets and development of prediction systems.
• Contribute to monitoring and reporting of ocean and coastal conditions across the Pacific region.

Ocean and coastal risk modelling

• Support SPC’s ocean and coastal risk modelling and analysis activities.
• Develop automated data processing and analytical workflows using appropriate programming and scripting tools.
• Produce maps, visualisations, reports and applied analytical products to support climate, ocean and coastal risk services.
• Contribute to innovation and improvement of regional ocean information systems and services.

Technical Support, Capacity Development and Collaboration

• Provide technical support services to Pacific Island countries and territories on ocean and geospatial data management and analysis.
• Support delivery of regional training, workshops and capacity building activities.
• Collaborate with internal teams, regional partners and stakeholders on ocean science and data initiatives.
• Contribute to regional coordination, reporting and knowledge sharing activities.
• Assist in writing and contributing to project reports, scientific publications, and technical manual.

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

Key selection criteria 

Qualifications 

• Degree in natural sciences preferably climate science, oceanography or related discipline or equivalent body of knowledge and experience. 

Technical expertise

• 5-6 years’ experience of technical and applied science activities including planning, surveying, and development of associated tools and products.
• Experience in reporting and conducting applied research into issues/science with focus on coastal and ocean sectors.
• Strong knowledge of oceanographic datasets and data analysis.
• Writing scripts and algorithms using Python/Matlab.
• Ability to interpret, translate and communicate results and findings into material accessible to the general public familiarity with climate science.
• Strong Integrative and collaborative skills with ability to undertake cross-sectoral work.
• Ability to deliver in a dynamic environment with multiple demands and quick turnaround of output.
• Experience in designing and delivering training on climate and/or ocean science concepts.       

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

Remuneration – The Data Analyst – Ocean Prediction and Monitoring is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,399‒2,998 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,412–9,265 (USD 3,214–4,018; EUR 2,900–3,625). 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: 6 September 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000974 

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 project where you analysed oceanographic, environmental, or geospatial datasets.
2. Describe your experience using programming languages for scientific workflows.
3. How would you communicate complex scientific or technical information to non-technical stakeholders?