Communications Officer

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.

The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides effective expert scientific advice, capacity building and services on conservation, development and utilisation of plant genetic resources, forest and landscape management, resilient agricultural systems, diversification of livelihood strategies and access to markets to maintain ecosystem services and improve land productivity and the food, nutrition security and resilience of Pacific communities. LRD has expertise in genetic resource conservation, resilient agriculture, biosecurity, pest and disease management, agricultural extension, plant pathology, entomology and animal health. It collaborates with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to pinpoint the needs and priorities of Pacific countries and communities and provide technical expertise to address them. This mission is realised through four main thematic work areas, or pillars, and a progressively integrated approach to programming that works towards achieving SPC’s development goals.

The role – Communications Officer will be responsible for working closely with internal and external counterparts to ensure there is efficient and effective communications and suitable visibility of all activities, projects and programmes implemented by the SPC Land Resources Genetic Resources Pillar. The incumbent is also responsible for the development, dissemination and management of communication and knowledge products and for coordinating relevant communication-related events.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Coordinate and manage visibility and communication

• Lead Pillar One’s contribution towards implementing the LRD and SPC’s communication strategies and plans for the relevant projects in collaboration with programme staff and project partners/countries.
• Develop appropriate content for media and communications products.
• Actively seek and secure opportunities to promote the work of the Genetic Resources Pillar through traditional media and social media.
• Provide visibility support for projects through relevant communication and medial platforms.

Coordinate and manage information and knowledge production

• Collaborate with the ICKM Adviser, LRD communications team and Knowledge Management officer on the management and production of knowledge products.
• Work with technical teams within the Genetic Resources Pillar and across projects and relevant divisions on the development and dissemination of technical briefs.

Support effective advocacy, outreach and new partnerships

• Establish and maintain linkages and relationships with relevant stakeholders, including media outlets.
• Promote links and collaboration with technical and communication teams across relevant SPC programmes and divisions.
• Provide support for LRD divisional communications and knowledge aligned to SPC and donor and partner communications guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with other LRD communications officers and the ICKM Adviser.

Contribute to the development of tools and approaches to support communication, visibility, and knowledge management

• Develop user-friendly tools and systems to support the Genetic Resources teams in communication and visibility.
• In consultation with the LRD Knowledge management officer and ICKM Adviser, develop user-friendly tools and systems to support the coordination of knowledge collation in line with the LRD ICKM strategy.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant field such as communications, journalism, media relations or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years communications related experience in a regional or international context.
• Experience in digital communications.
• Proven experience in designing a range of communication materials and multimedia products.
• Social media management experience.
• Experience drafting, implementing, and monitoring communications strategies.
• Ability to convey complex messages to different audiences.
• Photography and video skills.
• Excellent verbal and writing skills and an eye for detail.
• Experience working in the Pacific region and with donor projects.
• Strong team player.
• Knowledge of the Pacific context, preferably in the agriculture and forestry sectors and related emerging issues.

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 – Until 31 January 2028 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Communications Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,044‒2,555 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,152–7,691 (USD 2,719–3,398; EUR 2,504–3,130). 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. 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.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. 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.

How to apply

Application procedure

Closing Date: 20 April 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000071

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

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. The role will involve promoting communication strategies and the use of creative ways to convey messages to effectively inform and engage stakeholders. List three ways you would strengthen engagement and communicate to meaningfully inform and engage Land Resources Division stakeholders, and the tools and skills you would employ to accomplish this?
2. Give one example of how you have previously used communications to drive positive change, ideally toward a development outcome. Please describe the impact this had.
3. Scientific and technical concepts and project results are often communicated in ways that cannot be easily accessible for the general reader. Describe your approach to working with technical specialists to develop materials and products that are easy to read, influential and impactful?