Job announcement: PAPP is hiring a Information Communication Management Officer

Description

SPC invites applications for the position of Information Communication Management Officer in its Land Resources Development Division located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is the Pacific Island region’s principal development organisation. It works with its 22 Pacific Island member countries and territories, providing technical and scientific assistance across a wide range of sectors to enhance economic, environmental, social and human development in this region.

The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes plant protection, conservation, plant genetic resources, animal health and production, agroforestry, biosecurity and trade facilitation, and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. This work has three objectives: improved food and nutritional security; integrated and sustainable agricultural and forestry resource management and development; and improved and increased trade in agriculture and forestry products. The division’s services are provided through seven technical/thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees. The division currently has around 90 staff.

The Project – SPC and the European Union are working together through the Pacific Agriculture Policy Project (PAPP) to improve the livelihoods of smallholders across 15 Pacific countries through strengthening links to markets, improving information dissemination and helping countries to develop supportive policy frameworks. PAPP’s key results are as follows:

• Result 1: Strengthened national/regional agricultural development policy
• Result 2: Improved dissemination and adoption of applied agricultural production research technologies
• Result 3: Improved market links

The role – The Information Communication Management (ICM) Officer is responsible for developing information and communication management strategies in order to disseminate information on LRD activities to international, regional and national stakeholders and donor partners, employing a mix of broadcast, print and online media.  The position will help ensure that LRD is the premier regional entity providing information on sustainable Pacific agriculture.

The successful applicant will focus, in particular, on the following areas:

Strategy development

• Provide information and communications management support and advice to contribute to SPC and LRD’s strategic plans, and integrated divisional work plans; effectively provide appropriate levels of information and communications support to LRD thematic teams, national stakeholders and regional partners.
• Implement and promote LRD’s communications strategy in line with SPC corporate communications and contribute to promote the ‘one organisation, one entity’ concept.
• Be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of information communication management component of LRD projects.
• Contribute expertise in broadcast, print and online media to achieve LRD’s strategic objectives.
• Provide a link to other SPC division communication strategies for efficient and sustainable production and dissemination of technical and extension information to support SPC’s broader objectives.

Communication, awareness and media products

• Deliver key LRD information products (e.g. quarterly newsletters, annual reports) accurately and on time in consultation with LRD teams and communication officers, and within SPC communication policies/guidelines.
• Ensure appropriate level of media exposure of LRD initiatives at the regional and national level in collaboration with LRD partners.
• Conduct regular impact assessment of LRD communication products wherever feasible.
• Initiate and promote the use of diverse communication approaches such as social networking, on-line videos to reach a wider range of LRD targeted audiences.
• Ensure accurate content and high quality design of all key LRD publications.
• Assist, at the request of PICTS, with relevant print, broadcast and online media for the dissemination of information on LRD national activities.
• Coordinate press releases and media briefings to support LRD thematic teams.
• Provide advice on extension and technical publications and coordinate communications training for LRD staff and national stakeholders as a way to improve knowledge sharing.

Resource mobilisation

• Liaise directly across the division to ensure that an information communications component is incorporated into LRD work activities for knowledge and technology transfer.
• Coordinate with the ICM team and LRD coordinators to prepare concept notes for donor funding.
• Liaise with donors, partner organisations, and regional and national partners to mobilise resources to support ICM activities and training across the Pacific region.
• Link with national stakeholders on cost-sharing of ICM support.
• Promote incorporating an ICM component into new LRD projects, including monitoring and evaluation for knowledge sharing and technology transfer.

The profile– SPC seeks a proactive team player with a track record in designing and publishing information and extension materials in multiple formats in agricultural and biological sciences. Attributes will include strong technical advisory skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse stakeholders.

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications
   
   A degree in communications or related field.
2. Technical expertise
   
   A minimum of five years’ experience at managerial level within an information and communications environment with strong skills in writing, editing, proof-reading and production of extension and scientific material. A proven background in the production of extension communication materials for a Pacific audience with a strong monitoring and evaluation focus.  Experience in conducting training in the production of extension materials to a wide variety of audiences. Knowledge of Pacific land resources concepts and terminology would be an advantage.
3. Language skills
   
   Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
   
   Good interpersonal skills, a team player with the ability to network and work effectively in a multicultural setting. Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with a knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Remuneration – The Information Communication Management Officer is a Band 10 position within SPC’s 2015 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,310-2,888 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which converts to approximately FJD 6,576–8,220 (USD 3,510–4,388; EUR 2,667–3,333). [Please check published daily market rates for current currency conversions.] 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. 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, however, be subject to income tax.

Benefits – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170–2,625 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).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

As an equal-opportunity employer, SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories.

Application procedure

Please use SPC’s online recruitment system to lodge your application following the link below.

Please note that it is not possible to start your application via the online system, save it and return to complete it later. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you prepare all documents and required information prior to starting your application.

If you cannot access the online recruitment system, please apply by:

• email: recruit@spc.int; or
• fax: + 687 26 38 18

For your application to be considered, you are required to provide us with:

• an updated resume;
• contact details for three professional referees (include name / title / relationship / contact details);
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position; and
• a statement with your brief responses to the following tasks (400 words maximum per question):
  
  
  1. What technical writing have you done? Describe a project in detail.
  2. What are the key contributing factors to successful monitoring and evaluation?
  3. How do you go about understanding the needs of key stakeholders from their perspective? Please provide an example.
  4. Please provide an account of your team management experience.

Note: Please ensure your documents are in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.