Team Leader – Technical Assessment

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Team Leader – Technical Assessment within its Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division. This position will be located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.

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

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The role – Team Leader – Technical Assessment is one of the four senior positions within the Georesources and Energy Programme of the Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division. The incumbent is the head of the Technical Assessment Unit and reports to the Deputy Director – GEP. This role provides the required services and technical support to other GEM Programmes. It is critical for the procurement, maintenance, and management of specialised technical equipment used for ocean, coastal and on-land surveys. The Team Leader is also responsible for providing specific technical support for the calibration and maintenance of all 13 Pacific Island countries and territories tide gauges operated under the Climate and Ocean Support Programme for the Pacific (COSPPac). The Team Leader will be part of the GEP resource mobilisation team and is responsible for ensuring effective coordination of tasks with PICTs and Donor organisations in relevant sectors.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Manage the Technical Assessment Team

• Provide sound leadership to the team
• Provide mentorship to team members and support their professional development
• Planning, and prepare annual work plan and budget for the team
• Assist with GEP resource mobilisation efforts including development of project proposals and liaising with donors and development partners
• Ensure Safety and OHS guidelines are followed in work area and in the field
• Develop technical field projects and partnership between GEM Programmes
• Provide the necessary support to the Deputy Director of GEP and the GEM Division Director

Provide specific technical support for the calibration and maintenance of all tide gauges operated under the Climate and Ocean Support Programme for the Pacific (COSPPac)

• Responsible for the routine calibration and maintenance of Sea Frame tide gauges and environments
• Regular contact and technical support to the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia
• Implement the 6 monthly inspection check list of the tide gauges
• Provide maintenance support training to the local NMS staff
• Manage the technical equipment hub
• Attend the COSPPac Technical Consultation Committee

Coordinate and manage technical field support

• Ensure appropriate technical support services are provided to SPC’s programmes
• Ensure the wet testing of equipment is carried out according to standard procedures and technical problems are rectified
• Manage and monitor mobilisation and demobilisation of survey equipment and vessel
• Provide shipboard technical support on surveys
• Rapid response capacity-maintained fieldwork breakdown, including emergencies
• Produce Safety Guidelines for field survey activities

Responsible for the procurement and maintenance of survey equipment

• Procurement of new and second-hand equipment to be used for SPC surveys
• All equipment is maintained and ready to be used for surveys
• Record all equipment and information about any equipment in the database
• Maintain cordial relationships with local and overseas vendors
• Maintain equipment and software licence inventories
• Apply proper trouble shooting procedures to fix faulty equipment
• Prepare and submit relevant documents for customs clearance for all equipment shipped to and from survey destinations
• Prepare, implement and update the list for technical equipment rental costs

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as electronic/electrical engineering or geophysics from a recognised institution, or a bachelor’s degree in one or more of the above disciplines with 10 years of experience in the field
• Diving certificate
• Driver’s licence

Knowledge and experience

• At least 10 years of experience in conducting marine surveys using appropriate methods and technical equipment, including maintenance
• At least 5 years of leadership experience at management level
• Strategic planning and organisational development experience

Essential skills

• Proven record of trouble shooting and equipment repair skills in challenging environments.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to prioritise the tasks at hand and meet deadlines
• PC based computer skills with Microsoft Office and relevant Equipment Software

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written)

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration - until 31 December 2024 - subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration - The Team Leader - Technical Assessment is a band 11 position in SPC's 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091.3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,118.11,397 (USD 4,142.5,177; EUR 3,923.4,904). 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 1,350.3,000 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 matching 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: 16 May 2023 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: CB000321

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. Please share your experience in scientific survey equipment procurement, maintenance and trouble shooting.
2. Please describe your experience in coordinating and leading technical assessments.
3. Please provide an example of a team management challenge that you have encountered and describe what you did to resolve the issue.