Culture Officer, Projects

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, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Human Rights and Social Development (HRSD) Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies. It aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, gender equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles.

In line with its vision, the work of HRSD encompasses the following objectives:

• Objective 1: Governance for human rights and social development: Strengthen inclusive, transparent and active governance for human rights and social development.
• Objective 2: Gender equality and social inclusion: Mobilise, empower and build conditions for gender equality, equity and social inclusion in society and development.
• Objective 3: Culture: Promote, preserve and protect positive expressions of culture.
• Objective 4: Knowledge and innovation: Enhance knowledge, learning and innovative solutions to accelerate impact on human development priorities.

The Culture Officer, Projects will assist in the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Pacific Regional Culture Strategy and cultural industries programme within HRSD and support the ACP-EU Culture Sector-funded project titled “Enhancing capacity for the sustainability of Cultural and Creative Industries in the Pacific”.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Management, Coordination and Implementation of the ACP EU Enhancing capacity for the sustainability of Cultural & Creative Industries in the Pacific Project

• Assist with the administrative and financial aspects of the project to ensure that these are dealt with professionally and in a timely fashion including reporting, following EU and SPC procedures; working closely with the TL Culture for Development and EUPMU Advisor, including hiring of and working closely with consultants; and monitoring progress, outputs and outcomes of the project.
• Provide support toward collaboration with the partners and countries to ensure the smooth implementation of the range of activities: workshops, studies, visibility actions etc. as planned and within budget; keeping up with active and regular communication with country representatives, consultants, stakeholders, partners, media outlets, vendors etc., with assistance from the Team Leader Culture for Development.

Contribute to the development of new cultural industries programs within HRSD including the design of project methodologies, fostering partnerships with existing and potential funders and proposal writing and submission

• Seek out new funding opportunities to support cultural and creative industries initiatives in the SPC region, support the design and development of funding proposals including the design and use of contextual project methodologies.
• Support project coordination of new cultural and creative industries projects and initiatives to ensure effective and timely project and implementation, maintaining regular communication with country representatives, consultants, stakeholders, partners, media outlets, vendors etc, with assistance and under the supervision of the Team Leader Culture for Development.

Assist with technical support to countries and regional agencies

• Support Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs), the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP), and civil society organizations to implement and deliver on cultural and creative industry commitments.
• Engage in national and regional fora that focus on culture for development and the cultural and creative industries.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant discipline (arts and cultural management, creative and cultural industries, cultural and sustainable tourism, social science, education, anthropology etc)

Technical expertise

• At least 4-5 years of working experience in the culture, cultural industries, and/or culture policy and development field with at least 3 years of project management experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of key issues, measures and developments in the field of cultural industries and culture more generally
• Demonstrated knowledge of working on or with international and regional frameworks and projects in the cultural field
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of culture programmes, projects and policies, including working at government and non-government level, with practitioners, managers and producers
• Demonstrated research, analytical and writing skills and ability to work across sectors
• Sound knowledge of culture and development issues in the Pacific Islands region
• Proven experience in designing and managing Culture sector and/or Cultural and Creative Industries Projects

Language skills

• Fluent English communication skills (oral and written)

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team and autonomously in a multi-cultural environment

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 January 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Culture Officer, Projects is a Band 8 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,044‒2,555 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,030–7,537 (USD 2,739–3,424; EUR 2,595–3,243). 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.