PROJECT OFFICER – Pacific Community

JOB DESCRIPTION & SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Suva-based position (Fiji)
Attractive expatriate package
Join the principal development organisation in the Pacific region
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 Public Health Division (PHD) supports members in developing healthier Pacific Island communities by providing assistance in public health surveillance, and in the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The primary focus of the division is to provide scientific and technical assistance and to support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goals for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, help communities prevent disease and restore and/or maintain health, and reduce inequalities in health. PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than providing individual treatment services. PHD is comprised of four programmes: Surveillance Preparedness and Response; Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control (NCD); Clinical Services (CSP) and Laboratory Services (LSP). The position is based in Suva, Fiji and located within the Office of the Director of PHD.

The Project Officer will support the Finance and Policy Officer to project manage the various projects being implemented by the Public Health Division. The officer will be monitoring overall implementation of projects to ensure planned results and milestones are being met; track progress against results frameworks; assist with reporting on budgets and expenditure; coordinate all project narrative and financial reporting requirements; assist with development of concept papers and grant proposals, coordinate with the PHD PMEL team to ensure all projects’ M&E requirements are met; and ensure all PHD projects meet SPC and donor policies and procedures.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Project management and coordination

Supporting PHD to project manage ongoing projects
Assisting the PHD Deputy Director and PHD Team Leaders with annual work planning and workplan tracking consistent with the PHD Business Plan and available funding
Understanding donor deliverables for all ongoing PHD projects
Project Communication and reporting

Ensuring project reporting is done on time, with donor requirements being met.
Assisting Team Leaders and Project Coordinators with preparing internal project update presentations for PHD project meetings.
Tracking and follow-up of contractor deliverables and reporting.
Monitoring and Evaluation

Assisting Team Leaders and Project Coordinators to track, adjust and maintain the projects’ results frameworks, supported by the PMEL team.
Coordinating with the PHD Deputy Director, Team Leaders and the PMEL team to ensure projects’ monitoring and evaluation tasks are undertaken and comply with SPC and donor requirements.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

A degree qualification or equivalent in project management, or equivalent work experience
Knowledge and experience

At least 3 years of experience in working in a project team in a development context
Experience in working with PC systems and MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint software, and software programmes for project management
Demonstrated capability for managing integrated projects involving colleagues from several different countries and cultures
Essential skills

Excellent communication and report writing skills, with the capacity to engage with professional and technical staff
Strong interpersonal, time management and organizational skills
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 30 June 2024 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

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 Project Officer is a Band 8 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 1,994‒2,493 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 5,883–7,354 (USD 2,852–3,565; EUR 2,393–2,991). 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.