Fisheries Scientist (Fisheries Monitoring)

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Fisheries Scientist (Fisheries Monitoring) within its Oceanic Fisheries Programme located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.

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 unique 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 Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). The goal of the OFP is to ensure fisheries that exploit the region’s resources of tuna, billfish and related species are managed for economic and ecological sustainability using the best available scientific information. In pursuing this goal, the OFP provides scientific support for the management of fisheries for tuna and associated species, with a strong focus on stock assessment and modelling, fisheries and ecosystem monitoring and analysis and data management. The OFP works closely with member countries and territories, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, the Forum Fisheries Agency, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement and other regional and sub-regional entities.

The role – the Fisheries Scientist (Fisheries Monitoring) will implement and assist in the design of research to support the work programme of the Fisheries Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division. The work will primarily focus on implementation of the Pacific Tuna Tagging Project and activities associated with the Pacific Marine Specimen Bank.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Enhance data collection and provide data management services for fisheries & marine ecosystems

• Plan and coordinate research activities, with a focus on tagging experiments and the collection of samples for the Pacific Marine Specimen Bank, for obtaining biological and ecological data on the pelagic ecosystem.
• Manage inventories and produce summary reports necessary to support the operations of the PTTP and other filed based research activities.
• Participate to the development of new tools and systems to support data collection.

Provide scientific research, analyses and advice for evidence-based fisheries management

• Undertake and/or guide the analyses of pelagic fish research that estimates the properties of population dynamics necessary for assessing stock status and developing scientific advice.
• Participate in ecological and biological analyses on the relationships between tuna fisheries, pelagic fish populations and their physical and biological environment.
• Document the results of research for publication as scientific papers, technical reports and country reports, and present findings to regional and scientific meetings.

Provide, and facilitate access to, fisheries information

• Provide tuna fisheries target and bycatch species ecology and biology advice and services.
• In collaboration with other senior OFP staff, provide advice to SPC members on the ecosystem impacts of regional tuna fisheries and provide scientific support for the adoption of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

Support capacity building in fisheries and aquaculture in Pacific Island States

• Provide training for staff, attached staff or trainees in laboratory or in the field about data collection.

Enhance strategic oversight, efficient operational systems, partnership, and collaboration with other SPC divisions, our members, and partners

• Maintains up to date corporate and administrative procedures for all activities undertaken.
• Contributes where applicable to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications.
• Produces reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity including technical reports and trip reports, and input to funding proposals, donor reports.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in fisheries science, oceanography, biology, ecology or a related discipline

Technical expertise

• At least ten years of professional experience in the supervision and conduct of field-based fisheries research activities.
• A strong sea-going record and extensive experience in the planning and implementation of field research programmes using commercial and/or research vessels
• Experience in the supervision and conduct of tagging and biological sampling programmes, preferably for large pelagic fish
• Ability to work at sea, often under difficult circumstances
• Ability to supervise and manage contract staff

Language skills

• Good verbal and written presentation and communications skills in English, both at a technical level and in the preparation of information destined for the general public

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Proven ability to supervise the tasks of an inter-disciplinary and/or multi-cultural team
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Fisheries Scientist (Fisheries Monitoring) is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,206-5,161 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 637,132-781,844 (USD 5,636-6,916; EUR 5,339-6,552). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. 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 bilinguism, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

How to apply

Application procedure

Closing date: 19 March 2023 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: SH000268

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.

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. In no more than 300 words, please explain why your skills and experience is well matched for the duties described in this job description.
2. In no more than 300 words, please describe what makes the Pacific Tuna Tagging Programme unique in comparison to other mark recapture programs applied in fisheries.
3. In no more than 300 words, please describe why the Pacific Marine Specimen Bank is a vital asset for developing scientific advice for the management of tunas in the western and central Pacific Ocean.