Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Adviser (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture)

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Adviser (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) within its Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture 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 and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP). CFAP’s goal is to ensure that inshore fisheries, nearshore fisheries and aquaculture in Pacific Island countries and territories are managed and developed sustainably. The programme assists governments and administrations to develop scientifically informed and socially achievable coastal fisheries management policies and procedures (national and community-based). It provides support for sustainable aquaculture, including planning, research and development, aquatic biosecurity and trade, for Pacific Island governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. It assists in developing sustainable nearshore fisheries in Pacific Island countries and territories to provide for food security, sustainable livelihoods, economic growth and assist climate change adaptation.

The role – the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Adviser (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) – will lead the CFAP MCS unit to provide strategic advice, guidance, training and technical support, for coastal fisheries and aquaculture monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) at the regional, national, sub-national and community levels, and work within government processes, including stakeholder input, to develop resources and capacity in coastal fisheries and aquaculture MCS at the national and sub-national level in collaboration with Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ MPI) and other stakeholders.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Advise and assist national and sub-national governments and administrations to strategically develop or enhance requirements and programmes for coastal fisheries and aquaculture MCS

• Reviewing national and sub-national coastal fisheries and aquaculture MCS, and suggest appropriate changes to update processes and practices.

• Working with national and sub-national processes for establishing and/or developing, enhancing MCS plans / strategies.

• Aid in researching or investigating appropriate and suitable strategies, technologies / developments for fisheries compliance, and enforcement and prosecution.

• Liaising with FFA, NZ MPI, FAO and other partners to provide linkages to oceanic fisheries MCS and possibly undertake joint country missions.

• Work with counterparts to identify MCS weaknesses, identify solutions, and build MCS confidence at national and sub-national levels.

2. Oversee the development of training programmes, materials and supporting databases for coastal fisheries and aquaculture MCS at the regional, national, sub-national and community levels, and oversee the provision of regional and in-country training and mentoring in MCS

• Overseeing the development or review of regional training modules specific for coastal fisheries and aquaculture MCS in collaboration with FFA and MPI to complement the training modules they have developed.

• Developing specific training materials for individual countries through stakeholder consultations.

• Assist with the development and distribution of information and awareness materials on fisheries and aquaculture regulations.

• Provide input to the development of databases as needed to complement MCS materials and the work of FFA and MPI, for recording offences etc for reporting in the future.

3. Provide input to the development of management arrangements and collaborate internally and externally on the review and preparation of coastal fisheries and aquaculture legislation to support MCS and improve compliance

· Ensure participatory processes, stakeholder consultations and appropriate endorsement is sought on coastal fisheries and aquaculture MCS in the formulation of plans, strategies and legislation.

· Undertake joint planning meetings with FFA, NZ MPI and other relevant bodies to coordinate activities and strengthen collaboration around MCS.

· Establish and maintain positive working relationships through collaborations, consultations and advice.

· Assist in supervising the Pacific Island Fisheries Professionals (MCS) and national training attachments to SPC.

4. Section administration, communication and MCS unit leadership and staff supervision

• Lead the MCS unit of the section, including managing MCS staff, the development of work plans and conducting performance appraisals.

• Assist the Principal Fisheries Adviser (Management & Livelihoods) in developing and reporting on the Section’s annual work plan, consistent with the CFAP 5-Year Plan and FAME Business Plan.

• Produces reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity.

• Maintains up to date corporate and administrative procedures records for all activities undertaken.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent in fisheries management, MCS, or a related discipline.

• First degree or equivalent qualification in a fisheries or aquaculture related discipline.

2. Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of direct relevant experience advising on MCS, preferably in coastal fisheries and aquaculture in the Pacific region.

• At least 5 years of experience in staff management, team leadership and project management.

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English, with the capacity to engage effectively with scientific, government, public and community audiences.

• Proven ability to facilitate stakeholder consultations to reach a workable solution.

• Experience with training and mentoring counterparts and supervising attachments and staff.

• Experience working with PC systems and MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams software, and any specialised legal software.

• Exposure to fisheries compliance, particularly coastal fisheries and aquaculture compliance, within the Pacific islands’ region.

• Understanding of the role and utilisation of intelligence in the conduct of effective fisheries compliance.

• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.

3. Language skills

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English, with the capacity to engage effectively with scientific, government, public and community audiences.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Demonstrated capability for collaborating and working in an integrated programme involving colleagues from several different countries, cultures and academic backgrounds.

• Understanding of current Pacific islands regional coastal fisheries and aquaculture administrations, management and compliance issues, and experience of working with gender, culture and human rights issues relating to fisheries and/or aquaculture.

• Excellent cross-culture communication and teamwork skills.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is for 4 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

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 Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Adviser (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) is a Band 12 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,685–5,760 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 670,858–824,789 (USD 6,699–8,236; EUR 5,622–6,912). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be 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 faire, 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.