Organization: Pacific Community
Country: Fiji
Closing date: 01 Mar 2019

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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 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 Land Resources Division (LRD) provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes plant protection, conservation, plant genetic resources, animal health and production, agroforestry, biosecurity and trade facilitation, and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. This work has two objectives: improved food and nutritional security and resilient communities. The division’s services are provided through seven technical/thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production and Extension; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees.

The Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) is the peak body of the organics movement in the Pacific, housed as a programme within the Pacific Community (SPC). POETCom serves as the regional body for the organics industry advocating on issues that affect the development of organics at regional and national levels and providing support to the development of organics across the Pacific region.

The role – The Communications Assistant (Part-Time) will coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the POETCom’ s Communications Strategy by developing information and communication tools to ensure a high visibility of POETCom and its project activities. The successful candidate will be required to work 20 hours per week.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

• Maintaining POETCom Visibility
• Building Stakeholder Relations
• Management of Information & Learning Products

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Diploma (or equivalent) preferably in communications, media, journalism or related subject

Knowledge and experience

• At least three years of work experience in communications, media or journalism
• Experience in developing information and promotional materials in all types of media

Essential skills

• Excellent PC-based computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Demonstrated ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and accuracy

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 1 June 2022

Remuneration – This is a full-time position at Band 6 in SPC’s 2019 salary scale, with a commencing taxable salary range of FJD 1,801‒2,251 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 given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.

SPC is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. SPC’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate.

How to apply:

Application procedure

Closing Date – 2 March 2019

Applicants must apply online at: http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

To be considered for this role, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. These documents may be requested at a later stage.

Please ensure that you respond to all of the screening questions. If you do not respond to the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Only Fijian citizens are eligible to apply for this role.

Screening Questions:

1. Describe the process you went through to draft an annual report or similar document for an organisation

2. The focus of POETCom is organic agriculture. While there is growing support for this in the Pacific, there do exist stakeholders who lack knowledge and/or doubt its potential. How would you address this gap?

3. From your own experience, provide an example of a situation where you dealt with people or a partner/stakeholder who did not provide information in a timely manner for the completion of a communications product. How did you handle the situation and what were the lessons learned?