Head of the Pacific Community European Liaison Office

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Head of the Pacific Community European Liaison Office within its Office of the Deputy Director-General (Operations and Integration). This position will be located in Paris, France.

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 role – the Head of the Pacific Community European Liaison Office will be instrumental in developing and leading initiatives for SPC European visibility, influencing, attracting and mobilising resources and representing the Executive at the highest level to negotiate SPC’s work with European-based Member States, development partners and donors.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Lead and design of partnerships with donors and countries at senior level

• Regular leadership of negotiations with donors and countries to develop a strong relationship and understanding of the role of SPC, and respond to opportunities and challenges as they arise.
• Leading missions including liaison with relevant Government or donors contacts at senior level, SPC programmes/staff and other stakeholders as required.
• Drafting and leading agreements such as partnership with France in collaboration with SPC staff, national counterparts and/or donors.
• Monitoring implementation of the agreements by obtaining regular updates and reports from programmes and other stakeholders.
• Close collaboration with the Strategy Performance and Learning team to ensure awareness of European strategies, opportunities and issues.

Advise and support SPC executive, senior leadership team and divisions on matters such as design and development of strategic projects, preparation of reports, development partner requirements and procedures, monitoring and evaluation, learning and case studies, programmes and projects

Includes, but not limited to, matters such as:

• design and development of strategic projects,
• project designs,
• preparation of reports,
• development partner requirements and procedures,
• monitoring and evaluation,
• Learning and Case studies.

Contribute to resource mobilisation for projects, programmes and SPC generally

• Benchmarking for potential resources.
• Establish contacts with donors.
• Present projects to donors.
• Negotiate resources with donors.
• Monitoring implementation of the agreements by obtaining regular updates and reports from programmes and other stakeholders to meet with donors requirements.

Represent SPC at meetings, conferences, workshops and other events based in Europe and provide support to SPC staff present at such meetings

• As required, SPC is represented in conference and other meetings.
• Provide support to plan, organize and implement duty travel in Europe for SPC staff, in particular the Executive.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in strategic or corporate planning; leadership, public policy; economics; management or project management; international development; political science, business or public administration.

Technical expertise

• A minimum of twelve years’ relevant experience in leadership, strategic planning project management, policy development and advice.
• At least five years’ experience working in or providing advice to developing countries, including relevant knowledge of the development and political context in the Pacific region.
• At least five years’ experience working with European development partners and/or countries.
• Demonstrated capacity to work autonomously in developing partnerships and representing the interests of an organisation.
• Experience in resource mobilisation, the design or management of programmes and projects, and thorough knowledge of the project management cycle.
• High levels of flexibility to work across time zones.
• Strategic thinker with well-developed analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel).

Language skills

• SPC’s official working languages are English and French. For this position excellent proficiency in both is required (oral and writing skills).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and gender-sensitive environment.
• 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.

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 Head of the Pacific Community European Liaison Officer is a band 13 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 5,479-6,740 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately EUR 6,575-8,088 (USD 7,835-9,639). 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 France.

Benefits for international staff employees based in Paris – SPC provides a housing allowance of EUR 1,050 to 1,500. 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.