Deputy Director - Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme

• Noumea-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 Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) division is composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecology and Ecosystems Programme (MEEP). 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 Deputy Director – Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme will provide SPC with strategic direction, leadership, management and technical oversight of the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme through the three Section Heads – covering Coastal Fisheries Livelihoods and management, Coastal Fisheries Science, and Aquaculture –  to ensure the annual work plans for the programme are in line with the SPC FAME Business Plan and SPC Strategic Plan, are fully implemented within budget, adhere to all SPC policies and procedures, and address the needs and priorities of the Members. The position is also responsible for resource mobilisation and reporting to and engaging with donors to ensure adequate funding is available for the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme to operate successfully now and in the future. The position will contribute to ensuring that SPC provide the highest quality, independent scientific and technical information and advice on the region’s coastal fisheries and aquaculture to SPC members, and other regional and sub-regional agencies. 

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Leadership, management, reporting and technical oversight of CFAP

• Coordinates with SPC-FAME team leaders, managers and direct reports, input from members and others for strategic planning, annual work plans and work plan reports.
• Authorises travel and procurement of goods and services.
• Oversees and/or takes lead on donor reporting for projects.
• Oversees and participates in the recruitment of new SPC FAME staff.
• Oversees staff performance planning and management system for direct and indirect reports.

Resource mobilisation, budgeting, finances and donor liaison

• Coordinates the development of significant projects to help deliver outcomes in line with the SPC FAME Business Plan, SPC Strategic Plan and member requests.
• Assist the Division Director and/or take the lead in developing larger multi-agency funding proposals.
• Assists the Division Director plan CFAP funding allocations from the annual core, programme and project budgets for the Division.
• Ensures adequate funding is available for the implementation of the CFAP annual work plan.
• Ensures that financial and activity reporting is carried out according to agreements.

Implementation of assistance to members by the CFAP

• Oversees the implementation of the annual work plan for the CFAP.
• Oversees the organisation and running of the annual Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture (RTMCFA). Ensures RTMCFA Outcomes and Actions are followed up.
• Participates in one or more of the technical work areas of CFAP.
• Oversees and assists the Coastal Fisheries Economist, Coastal Fisheries Information and Database Manager, and the Climate Change Project Development Specialist develop work plans and implement them.
• Provides logistical support for staff when in the field and assists Section Heads to address problems when these are encountered.

Promote inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration in coastal fisheries and aquaculture

• Maintains awareness with SPC member PICT needs and issues in regard to coastal fisheries and aquaculture.
• Develops, supports and maintains links with other CROP agencies, academic institutions and NGOs in regard to coastal fisheries and aquaculture issues.
• Attends and participates in inter-agency groups such as the Marine Sector Working Group (MSWG) and the Community-Based Fisheries Dialogue (CBFD).
• Attends and presents at global forums and advocates on behalf of the Pacific region sectoral interests
• Develops and promotes collaboration with other programmes within SPC.

Communication of CFAP work

• Oversees the communication of CFAP work internally across SPC and externally to Members, clients, the scientific community and the general public.
• Contributes and coordinates the CFAP’s input to Divisional and Corporate publications.
• Oversees the maintenance and updating of the SPC Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme components of the SPC FAME website.
• Contributes and provides oversight to the preparation of peer-reviewed scientific and technical publications.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• PhD degree in fisheries, aquaculture or related marine resources discipline, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 15 years of relevant experience in one or more of the following: coastal fisheries, aquaculture, fisheries science, development or resource management, ecosystem approach to fisheries management, fisheries monitoring, climate change.
• At least 10 years of experience in regional project or programme management, including team leadership and staff supervision.
• Proven history of successfully leading multidisciplinary teams of fisheries, marine and/or aquaculture scientists, managers, economists, social scientists, and other specialists, and support staff.
• Demonstrable project and financial management skills including resource mobilisation and the development of large and small funding proposals.
• Demonstrable report-writing skills (examples or publications list should be provided) in English.
• Able to translate broad Divisional direction into detailed activities.
• Experience with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills in English (oral and written) of a high order and experience of presentation of management and science advice to audiences at many levels.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Good judgement, particularly in maintaining working relationships both with colleagues and within SPC partner organisations and individuals, without compromising organisational objectives

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This contract is budgeted for 6 months.

Remuneration – the Deputy Director – Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme is a band 14 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 6,595-8,147 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 951,532-1,175,533 (USD 8,837-10,917; EUR 7,974-9,851). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia. 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 – SPC provides housing support in Noumea and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Airfares, medical and life insurance are available for eligible employees. 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:  23 August 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000610

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. Please briefly describe your understanding of, and experience and demonstrated ability in coastal fisheries science and management, coastal fisheries sustainable livelihoods, and aquaculture in the Pacific region.
2. Please identify key challenges in project management of large multi-agency projects with a range of partners including undertaking and/or coordinating reporting and acquitting expenditure to donors using different formats in the Pacific context.
3. Please outline your leadership and management experience of a team of up to 35 staff, overseeing annual work plans and budget estimates and expenditure, and staff development.