Job Description

• Noumea, New Caledonia or Suva, Fiji based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

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

SPC’s Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) capability has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 65 years. The goal of SPC FAME is that the fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. In pursuit of this goal, SPC FAME provides scientific and management advice to Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and regional agencies to support the management of sustainable oceanic fisheries, coastal fisheries, marine ecosystems and aquaculture development. Along with addressing the challenges in the management of the region’s marine resources, there are also significant opportunities to derive greater economic and social benefits from them. Deriving greater benefits from the tuna fisheries, the development of aquaculture in the region, along with alternative livelihoods in coastal fisheries, hold significant potential. SPC FAME provides technical assistance to support PICTs to maximise these sustainable development opportunities in the marine sector and in some parts of the freshwater sector.

SPC FAME is composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecosystems Programme (MEP). The Director’s Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the three programmes and cross-cutting projects. Working with all 22 PICTs, SPC FAME has strong partnerships with regional, sub-regional and national entities working in the marine sector. SPC FAME staff are based in New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tonga, with most of the staff being based in New Caledonia.

The role – Principal Aquaculture Adviser will lead and manage the work programme of the FAME CFAP Aquaculture Section to provide guidance, support and advice to governments, private sector, communities and other relevant stakeholders in planning and developing aquaculture initiatives, including aquatic biosecurity, in line with the Pacific Regional Aquaculture Strategy, focusing on appropriate, viable and resilient aquaculture for food security, improved nutrition, sustainable livelihoods, and long-term economic growth.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Section leadership, management, planning, administration and communication

• Assists the FAME Deputy Director (CFAP) in strategic planning to ensure that the work for the Section meets the needs of SPC members and other Programme clients and partners.
• Develop in consultation with the FAME Deputy Director (CFAP) and other senior CFAP staff, the Section’s annual work plan and work plan reports consistent with the FAME Business and Strategic Plans and are consistent with available funding.
• Manages the activities of the Section consistent with annual work plans, SPC Member requests and available funding.
• Develop in consultation with the FAME Deputy Director (CFAP) funding and/or cost-recovery proposals to ensure that work plans are adequately funded.

Manage, guide, advise and assist SPC members’ implementation of the Pacific Regional Aquaculture Strategy

• Oversees the Section’s support to PICT members in implementing the Pacific Regional Aquaculture Strategy, in alignment with its regional priority themes: sustainable aquaculture technology, aquatic biosecurity, legislation and regulation, economic development, livelihoods and food security, social inclusion, and environmental and climate change resilience.
• Lead the development of the regional implementation plan for the PRAS and assists PICT members develop appropriate national workplans.
• Oversee the socialisation of the PRAS with all SPC Members, development partners and other stakeholders.
• Assists with securing sustainable funding for SPC FAME to support the implementation of PRAS.
• Coordinates Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities for the PRAS, including the mid-term review (after 5 years).

Manage, support and guide the development, research, advisory and capacity building activities and projects to advance aquaculture in Pacific Island Countries and Territories

• Supports research and development projects to identify new commodities and systems for farming and address industry bottlenecks.
• Oversee the support for aquatic/blue food systems initiatives internally and externally.
• Ensure that the region is kept informed of advances in food production technology (feed formulation, genetics etc).
• Oversee the feasibility studies for the promotion and development of emerging aquaculture resources/products.
• Assist the PICTs weigh the economic cost-benefits of investments in aquaculture.

Manage, guide and assist with coordinating, promoting and supporting biosecurity in the aquaculture sector

• Support the implementation of the Regional Framework on Aquatic Biosecurity, incorporating the findings from the mid-term review, and alignment with the PRAS
• Works to raise the regional and national profile and recognition of the importance of aquatic biosecurity to the aquaculture, freshwater and marine fisheries sectors.
• Promote the PICTS meeting international reporting obligations for aquatic biosecurity.
• Promote the testing of products for health safety, eco-labelling and product brands to provide competitive advantage for the Pacific.

Engage, promote and support SPC internal and inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration in support and advancement of the region’s aquaculture and aquatic biosecurity sectors

• Maintains links to relevant international organisations and agencies such as WorldFish, FAO, NACA, UNEP, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and funding organisations.
• Develop and promote collaborations with other programmes and divisions within SPC on issues such as food systems, biosecurity, food security, small-scale livelihoods, climate change resilience and adaptation, human rights, gender, disability and social inclusion.
• Develop and maintain links with other CROP agencies, relevant universities, NGOs and CSOs in regard to aquaculture development, management and livelihoods to minimise the risk of duplication of work.
• Advocate at regional and global fora on behalf of the Pacific islands’ region aquaculture and aquatic biosecurity sectoral interests.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Masters in aquaculture, or a related field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in staff management, team leadership, project development and project management
• At least 5 years’ experience working in fields relevant to Pacific Island aquaculture practice and policy.
• Understanding of current Pacific Islands regional aquaculture development and management issues, and of working with gender, social inclusion and human rights-based issues relating to aquaculture.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and demonstrated ability to produce written reports for stakeholders, donors, funding proposals, trip reports, training materials etc.
• Proven ability to design, plan and facilitate community and regional workshops and other trainings.
• Experience in successfully collaborating and working with other institutions and partners to achieve shared aquaculture goals, and in negotiating with people from different ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Experience working with MS Windows-based systems and MS 365 software.
• Willingness to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries and territories, sometimes under difficult conditions.

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 – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration – The Principal Aquaculture Adviser is a band 13 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale.

For a Noumea based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 5,690-7,016 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 831,658-1,025,524 (USD 7,568-9,332; EUR 6,969-8,594).SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

For a Suva based position – a starting salary range of 4,291‒5,364 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 12,917–16,146 (USD 5,707–7,134; EUR 5,256–6,570). 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.

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.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea or Suva – SPC provides housing support in Noumea or Suva. 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 10% 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.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 23 November 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000141

Applicants must apply online at

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.

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. What do you see as the current and emerging issues, needs and priorities in support of advancing the development of sustainable, diversified aquaculture in the Pacific Islands region?
2. The Pacific Regional Aquaculture Strategy has recently been adopted by SPC members. What specific, practical actions would you take, as the SPC FAME CFAP Aquaculture Section leader, to guide, advise and assist SPC members’ implementation of the Pacific Regional Aquaculture Strategy?
3. How would you approach building the SPC FAME CFAP Aquaculture Section’s capacity, capability and resourcing to better meet the increasing number of SPC Pacific Island member requests across a diverse range of sustainable aquaculture development, management and biosecurity needs?

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