Earth Observation - Technical Assistant

• Attractive local package
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• 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 surveillance, 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 – Earth Observation – Technical Assistant will primarily support the activities related to the implementation and operationalisation of Clean Seas and supporting facets. This includes but is not limited to data collection, preparation, documentation and analysis, supporting regional and national training activities, supporting development of data analysis notebooks, generating test data for machine learning pipelines, writing up documentation and guidelines, supporting countries in trouble shooting issues, assisting in data quality control and documenting lessons learnt.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

EO and Related Geospatial Data Management

• Maintain compliance of SPC published earth observations and related datasets and products to appropriate industry standards (including STAC and ISO-compliant metadata).
• Generate labelled remotely sensed test data for machine learning pipelines.
• Manage Planet License including querying and purchases of PlanetScope and Skysat Tasking products.
• Participate in development and revision of geospatial data management and standards and advise on application to Pacific EO systems and processes.

Provide Geospatial-related Support for Projects, Proposals and Country Requests  

• Provide relevant and required data/information products in a timely manner.
• Update and maintain regional spatial datasets, including common operational datasets, in accordance with relevant standards and guidance.
• Produce relevant high-quality mapping products including information products such as reports, charts and infographics where necessary.
• Liaise effectively and objectively with stakeholders, internal and external, regarding technical advice around sustainable and beneficial EO solutions.

Geospatial Capacity Building and Training

• Develop relevant training modules and supporting materials for workshops; including remote-based delivery.
• Facilitate training requests appropriately, and in a timely manner.
• Ensure successful training of participants, meeting activity objectives, both internal and external.

Research and Development

• Research and develop products including coastal marine habitat mapping and others.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in GIS/remote sensing or other relevant subjects, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 3 to 4 years of demonstrated experience in GIS including working with remote sensing data, spatial data management systems; experience undertaking field surveys particularly in a remote sensing and/or machine learning context would be an advantage.
• Ability to respond effectively to emerging challenges and apply sound judgement to resolve issues.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Python for Remote Sensing and/or GIS applications.
• Strong knowledge of QGIS and other open-source geospatial toolsets.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 April 2028 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Earth Observation – Technical Assistant is a band 7 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a commencing taxable salary range of FJD 2,402-3,002 per month, plus local staff benefits. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised locally (EPAL) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides medical and life insurance 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).

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: JM000984

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.

Only Fijian citizens are eligible to apply for this role.

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. What has been the most rewarding and/or challenging geospatial/Earth Observation project you have been involved in your career? Briefly explain why this was challenging and/or how it was rewarding for you.
2. What are some of the steps in the process of collecting, managing and deriving information from geospatial data sets? Please describe any experience you might have at the different steps.
3. What are some of the compliance measures a data science personnel can undertake throughout a project lifecycle that ensures that the data that they manage is accurate, discoverable, accessible and interoperable?