Pacific Community
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 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 Biomedical Adviser will lead and provide technical assistance on regional biomedical needs.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
Strengthen PICTs leadership & governance of clinical (includes biomedical) services development in the region
- Facilitate regional technical biomedical meetings
- Facilitating the implementation of the Regional Clinical Services Governance meetings recommendations concerning biomedical services
Improve capacity of PICTs to mobilize needed resources through partnerships and networks
- Assisting and supporting PICTs to access clinical biomedical services providers including visiting medical teams
- Coordinating and maintaining effective biomedical networks between PICTs, strategic partners, and relevant stakeholders
Improve collaboration on cost-effective regional/sub-regional activities through support to clinical, nursing, IPC and allied health (biomedical services)
- Contributing to the implementation of cost-effective regional approaches for biomedical services in PICTs
- Strengthen cross cutting activities with clinical, nursing and IPC services for PICTs
Strengthen evidence based biomedical services and workforce delivery through research
- Conducting biomedical research or regional analysis to support evidence-based decision making by PICTs
- Contributing to biomedical research activities with academic institutes, clinical networks, and relevant stakeholders to support evidence-based decision making by PICTs
Strengthen Pacific Clinical and Nursing Networks (PCNN)
- Contributing to biomedical continuing professional development (CPD) initiatives – training opportunities, attachments, and other capacity building activities, for Pacific Health care workers (HCWs) and PCNNs
Programme planning and management
- Preparation of biomedical services annual work plan and budget
- Contributing to programme management, activity implementation, utilization of fund including monitoring target indicators and reporting results
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Degree in Biomedical Engineering or related discipline
Technical expertise
- At least 8 years of work experience in biomedical services in the Pacific
- Significant experience in managing and/or leading biomedical services and knowledge of health systems strengthening
- Quality assurance of equipment
- Standardisation of equipment
- Significant experience in procurement and donation policies
- Extensive work experience in biomedical services planning and development, policies and programming
- Ability to implement a sector-wide response to biomedical services issues
- Willingness to travel frequently (up to 30% of the time) in the Pacific region and internationally
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 – till 31st December 2025 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance
Remuneration – The Biomedical Adviser is a Band 10 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,512‒3,140 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,410–9,263 (USD 3,592–4,490; EUR 3,014–3,768). 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.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing Date: 10 November 2022 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: KK000054
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.
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 Fiji 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.
Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):
- What do you believe are the key challenges for biomedical services in Pacific Island countries?
- What are the key points to consider when purchasing/procuring biomedical equipment for Pacific Island countries?
- Outline biomedical regional capacity building initiatives you would like to develop and implement.
- Describe your experience in using biomedical surveys or research to support decision making.