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, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:
- 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.
- Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
- 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.
The other two focus areas within this division are Programming and Operations, which is responsible for driving integrated programming excellence and operational support across the division, and Geoinformatics, which is responsible for providing diverse, integrated, and unique and demand-driven information and spatial data services across SPC work programmes, projects and countries.
The role – Maritime Policy and Legal Adviser is responsible for supporting Pacific Island Countries and Territories in an increasingly regulated maritime sector by providing policy and legal advisory and drafting assistance to ensure that PICTs have effective maritime policies and laws that align with relevant international instruments and that PICTs have suitable maritime governance frameworks to regulate their domestic maritime transport sectors.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
- Legal and policy advice
- Legal and policy drafting
- Coordination and advocacy
- People management and development
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the job description provided.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in relevant discipline such as maritime law or policy
Knowledge and experience
- At least 10 years of relevant experience in the field of maritime law or policy, legal drafting, research and advocacy related work
- A broad-based knowledge of laws and legal systems of Pacific Island Countries and Territories, including international conventions, governments and regulatory procedures, international legal systems and IMO instruments
- Experience in and collaborating with others in project team-oriented environment
- Knowledge of processes for domestication of international maritime instruments in legal systems of Pacific Island Countries and Territories
Essential skills
- Expertise and experience working with Governments and legal systems in Pacific Island Countries and Territories
- Strong legal and policy drafting, research and analysis skills
- Advocacy skills with demonstrated initiative and ability to think laterally to identify innovative solutions
- Ability to work as part of a team or independently, under limited direction with strong commitment, personal drive and initiative
- Proven maturity and discretion in dealing with government protocol, clients and staff
- Excellent coordination and organisational skills
- Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines as well as working with minimal supervision
Language skills
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written)
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Good interpersonal skills with ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – until 28 February 2023
Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.
Remuneration – The Maritime Policy and Legal Adviser is a Band 12 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,478‒4,348 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,504–13,130 (USD 4,835–6,043; EUR 4,266–5,333). 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 international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 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 matching 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 – 26 November 2021 at 11:59pm Fiji time
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
- contact details for three professional referees
- 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.
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 the Fijian 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.
Please ensure that you respond to all 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.
Screening Questions:
- Briefly share your experience related to providing assistance on maritime policy, legal advice, and drafting of maritime laws. Please refer to your experience working with developing countries, if any.
- List down the 3 key IMO Conventions and briefly describe why you think they are important for the Pacific region.
- What would be the next key action that countries should take to give full and complete effect of the convention they have acceded to?
JD Policy and Legal Adviser.docx