Job: Chief Geoscientist

Location: Suva
Deadline: Sunday, 24 November 2013

SPC invites applications for the position of Chief Geoscientist in SPC'sApplied Geoscience and Technology Division located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.

SPC is the Pacific Island region's principal technical and scientific organisation. It delivers technical, scientific, research, policy and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories in fisheries, agriculture, forestry, water resources, geoscience, transport, energy, disaster risk management, public health, statistics, education, human rights, gender, youth and culture. For more information, visit www.spc.int .

In applying, candidates should be guided by SPC's vision, mission and corporate values, the role and profile of the position and the key result areas and selection criteria.

SPC's vision for the region is a secure and prosperous Pacific Community, whose people are educated and healthy and manage their resources in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way.

Our mission is to help Pacific Island people position themselves to respond effectively to the challenges they face and make informed decisions about their future and the future they leave for the generations that follow.

Our corporate values are underpinned by the principle of ‘making a positive difference in the lives of Pacific Island people – putting people first'. They include accountability, integrity, respect, transparency, sustainability, people-centredness, gender equality and cultural sensitivity.

The Applied Geoscience and Technology (SOPAC) Division was e stablished when the former SOPAC was integrated with SPC in January 2011. The division has three technical work programmes: Ocean and Islands, Water and Sanitation and Disaster Reduction. Its current services to SPC's members include assessments of the potential of ocean and onshore mineral resources, maritime boundary data collection, coastal protection and management, geo-hazard assessment, water, wastewater, sanitation, disaster risk management, mapping and surveying (including GIS and remote sensing) and natural resources economics. The division's work provides guidance on scientific and technical aspects of the region's seabed mineral resources, supports development of national policy and regulatory frameworks. and contributes to geoscientific and geotechnical understanding of the underlying causes of environmental vulnerability in the region. Its work also focuses on developing knowledge-based adaptation strategies for coastal and nearshore environments, water and sanitation, disaster risk reduction and awareness raising, and technical capacity building and supplementation. The division seeks to maintain a reputation for excellence as the region's principal provider of geoscientific services. It currently has a team of around 85 staff.

The role – The Chief Geoscientist is a newly created role in the SOPAC leadership team and is accountable to the Director, Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (AGTD). The position is responsible for the development, leadership and management of a new, predominantly land-based Geoscience for Development U nit, focused on addressing pressing Pacific development needs such as persistent poverty , unemployment, urbanisation, and lack of infrastructure and capacity. The position will be responsible for developing a clear vision for the unit and will be expected to collaborate with the Applied Geoscience and Technology senior team in developing and guiding a sustainable geoscience capacity. The role will also focus on a range of capacity-building solutions, both in the division and in member countries. One challenge will be the development of a regional Earth Science Diploma course in partnership with the University of the South Pacific. The successful candidate will also take on responsibility for overseeing high level strategic management of the marine and coastal focused Ocean and Islands Programme (OIP), in conjunction with the Director and senior project leaders within the OIP team. The appointment is for a term of three years, renewable subject to performance and funding. Interested candidates are advised to contact the Director of SOPAC, Professor Mike Petterson, michaelp@spc.int , to discuss the job in detail.

The profile – SPC seeks a dynamic, innovative and experienced geoscientific leader with well-developed expertise in an area of geoscience, preferably in field-based geoscience but other skills will be considered. The appointee must have a demonstrated aptitude for geoscience for development, and a sympathetic desire to use geoscience for poverty alleviation and quality of life enhancement. The candidate will have demonstrated experience at strategic levels of an applied geoscience organisation (public or private sector), a proven track record in winning project and donor funds, and experience in a range of developing countries. Essential attributes will include demonstrated skills in leadership, programme development and management, strategic analysis; and high level technical advisory skills. He/she will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse regional stakeholders and partners. Experience in change management will be highly regarded.

Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress in the following key result areas of the position.

1. Develop a new 'Geoscience for Development' capability – Work closely with the Director of AGTD, key stakeholders and SPC members in developing a unit that can deploy a realistically affordable range of geoscience skills that are needed for regional developmental issues. This will be a new, much-needed unit and will fill a gap in service delivery. It will be a predominantly land-based unit, but overlapping with the coastal region and including non-living resources in the shallow and deep marine environment. Potential new geoscience services could be in areas such as: geological mapping, measuring, monitoring and surveying, economic geology, geohazards, Quaternary, geomorphology and soils, energy, urban and rural development, engineering, and environmental geoscience. The challenge is to design a unit that responds to user needs and will be sustained by attracting donor funding.
2. Technical advice and support – Identify and secure long-term funding and funding streams sympathetic to development in the context of the Geoscience for Development facility; advise the Director on opportunities for the application of geoscience in the Pacific region; and advise the Director on skill requirements in geosciences for the whole division (in conjunction with senior managers and project leaders). The successful candidate will have opportunities to develop and deliver projects related to his/her area of expertise.
3. Oversee the existing, marine and coastal dominated Ocean and Islands Programme. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director and existing project leaders within the various components of the Ocean and Islands Programme (e.g. marine boundaries, sea-level monitoring, off-shore geophysical surveying, coastal processes and management, deep-sea minerals, the Kiribati aggregates project (ESAT)) to deliver, maintain and develop this programme area.
4. Develop in-country geoscience capacity – Work with SPC member countries in developing solutions for in-country capacity building in high priority areas of geosciences for national need. One high demand area is the introduction of a diploma course in earth science, aimed largely at decision makers and professionals in government. Agreement has been reached with the University of the South Pacific to co-develop this course; funds and resources need to be identified.
5. Develop and maintain strate gic relationships and partnerships – Maintain collaborative working relationships across SPC. Develop and maintain links with project partnersand stakeholders.

Key selection criteria – candidates will be assessed against the following se l ection criteria:

1. Leadership – Demonstrate a clear vision for the area of responsibility. Act as a role model to inspire, motivate and develop others. Ensure staff feel trusted and valued. Develop and lead multi-sectoral initiatives that contribute to achieving SPC's goals.
2. Strategic thinking and planning – Ability to think and act with a long-term perspective; develop and implement plans and projects that deliver strategic and long-term outcomes.
3. Project management – Demonstrated ability to coordinate and motivate others, and mobilise and manage resources in a complex environment. Anticipate and manage change and risks; ensure that value for investment is achieved.
4. Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new ideas/opportunities, develop policy advice based on sound analysis, and support original solutions. An ability to recognise, nurture and develop emerging areas is highly regarded.
5. Results-oriented problem solver – Ability to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
6. Influencing and relationship-building skills – Ability to influence and guide others to achieve divisional and organisational goals. Demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills and excellent interpersonal skills. Contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with stakeholders.
7. Qualifications – A doctorate or equivalent work experience in geoscience with preferred expertise in field-based geosciences skills. A strong track record in senior leadership within an applied geosciences organisation.
8. Technical expertise – High-level expertise in one area of applied geoscience applicable to Pacific developmental / geosciences for development needs. Experience and knowledge of applied geoscience organisations and their role in development and capacity building; governance and decision making; experience in developing countries. Deep understanding of the role that geoscientific maps, models, 3-D images, and data can play in decision making, attracting inward investment, risk analysis, land use and planning, and other issues. Demonstrated aptitude for geoscience for development and a sympathetic desire to use geoscience for poverty alleviation and quality of life enhancement; excellent writing and communication skills; and a proven track record in securing project and donor funding. An ability to operate at a high level, including working closely with the Director, would be advantages.
9. Language skills – Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
10. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with knowledge
11. f Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

Remuneration – The Chief Geoscientist is a Band 14 position in SPC's 2013 salary scale, with a salary range of 4,126 –6,188 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 11,311–16,963 (USD 6,340–9,509; EUR 4,673–7,009). 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. Progress in 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, however, be subject to income tax.

Benefits – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170–2,265 per month. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; life insurance; and access to SPC's Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

Work environment – SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office. Smoking is not permitted in the work place.

Equal opportunity – SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Islanders.

Application procedure – The closing date for applications is 24 November 2013 . Candidates MUST provide: a detailedcurriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses and telephone numbers, for three referees.

Apply online – Please use SPC's online recruitment system at http://www.spc.int/job.html . Important note: prepare and save your curriculum vitae, response to key selection criteria and referee information as Microsoft Word documents BEFORE attempting to submit your application online. It is not possible to partially complete your application via the online system, save it and return to complete it later. If you cannot access the online recruitment system, apply via email: recruit@spc.int ; fax: + 687 26 38 18; or post to Christine Croombes, HR Director, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia. If you need assistance, contact SPC at recruit@spc.int or telephone + 687 26 20 00.

Background – SPC was established in 1947 and employs over 570 staff. Its headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia, with other offices in Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. SPC has 26 member countries and territories including its founding members, Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners are the European Union; Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; United Nations agencies; Asian Development Bank; World Bank and Global Environment Facility, to name a few.

Languages : SPC's working languages are English and French.

Organisational structure: SPC is led by the Director-General supported by the senior management team, which includes three Deputy Directors-General and the Director of the Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility. Also contributing to SPC's executive management are the directors of the seven technical divisions ( Applied Geoscience and Technology; Economic Development; Education, Training and Human Development; Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems; Land Resources; Public Health; and Statistics for Development); the directors of Finance, Human Resources and the North Pacific Regional Office and the coordinator of the Honiara country office.

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