Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Coastal Fisheries Science)
XPF 438,381Posted 2 days ago
Closes in 29 daysOverseas role, based in Noumea, New Caledonia
About the company
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. It is an international development organisation owned and governed by 27 country and territory members, working across more than 25 sectors including fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Its Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division comprises the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP), the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP), and the Marine Ecosystems Programme (MEP), with staff based across New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tonga.
About the role
This role sits within the Coastal Fisheries Science Team under the CFAP Science programme, providing advice to governments, stakeholders, and the private sector on planning and implementing coastal fisheries science activities focused on coastal finfish and/or invertebrate resources and their supporting habitats. The position supports Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) by building science capacity in coastal living resources data collection, entry, quality control, analysis, and reporting. It contributes to designing and delivering training materials and surveys, applying standardised methodologies, and expanding data collection and monitoring systems for coastal fisheries at national and regional levels. The role also supports inter-agency networking with national, regional, and international organisations, research institutes, and NGOs on coastal fishery issues, and contributes to Programme, Divisional, and peer-reviewed publications. This is a special short-term attachment lasting 364 days and is not renewable, open only to applicants employed in or contracted by a Pacific Island fisheries, conservation, or environment agency, or a recognised NGO in a Pacific Island country.
Key responsibilities
- Assist the CFAP Science team in providing support and training to PICT members on coastal living resources data collection, entry, quality control, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
- Assist in developing coastal fisheries survey training materials through needs-based stakeholder consultations, accounting for gender, culture, and human rights.
- Assist in training local staff in-country and online in data collection, management, analysis, and reporting for coastal fisheries and associated habitats.
- Ensure there are no gender or social inclusion barriers to training activities.
- Contribute to the design and implementation of coastal living resources assessments and the development of tools for data collection and reporting.
- Participate in the design of surveys based on standardised methodologies and lessons learned.
- Assist in the collection of biological samples to help inform coastal fisheries assessments.
- Promote inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration with partners in coastal fisheries and aquaculture science in support of evidence-based management.
About the successful candidate
- A recognised degree in a discipline relevant to coastal fisheries science (finfish and/or invertebrates), or related field, or an equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
- At least two years' direct relevant experience in PICT coastal fisheries, particularly applied field research for coastal finfish and/or invertebrates.
- Demonstrated experience undertaking surveys for coastal finfish and/or invertebrates using a range of methodologies.
- Understanding of current Pacific Island regional coastal fisheries management and science issues, including experience working with gender issues relating to fisheries.
- Strong PC-based computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) with knowledge of software for data entry and analysis.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work in a team and unsupervised, communicating across ethnic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
- Willingness to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.