Communications and Knowledge Management Adviser, Suva, Fiji

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Closing date: Tuesday, 19 May 2015

Communications and Knowledge Management Adviser

Job Code : 15-24

Location : Suva, Fiji

Grade : 12

Salary Range : 3,199 - 3,998 SDR monthly

Closing Date : 19/05/2015

Duration : 3 years

Are you passionate about development effectiveness and supporting Pacific Island communities to achieve their goals?

Description

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community invites applications for the position of Communications and Knowledge Management Adviser in its Geoscience Division, located in 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.

Geoscience Division

The division has four technical work programmes: Geoscience for Development, Ridge to Reef, Water and Sanitation, and Disaster Reduction. Its 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, and technical advice and assistance in the areas of water, waste water, sanitation, disaster risk management, mapping and surveying (including GIS and remote sensing), and natural resources economics.

Ridge to Reef

SPC's 'Ridge to Reef' (R2R) programme is implementing a project funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) – International Waters (IW) to test the mainstreaming of ridge to reef climate resilient approaches to integrated land, water, forest and coastal management in Pacific Island countries through strategic planning, capacity building and piloted local actions to sustain livelihoods and preserve ecosystem services.

The role

The Adviser will be accountable to and work closely with the GEF Pacific Regional R2R Programme Coordinator, the R2R Project and Science Leader and the National R219/R System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) Coordinator. The work will be in relation to the implementation of the national GEF R2R STAR and GEF IW Pacific R2R projects and its national pilots in 14 Pacific Island countries. The Adviser will assist the Regional R2R programme to achieve its goals through the planning and delivery of effective communications and media strategies. The position is responsible for developing and driving communications and knowledge management for this new programme, with a specific focus on highlighting sustainable management, supported by integrated water, land and coastal management.

The role will encompass the following key result areas

1. Media and communications – Oversight of the development and implementation of national, sub-regional, regional and international communications strategies, consistent with SPC corporate guidelines and United Nations Development Programme and GEF requirements.
2. Publications and knowledge management – sharing within SPC, and among participating countries, international partner agencies and the broader community.
3. Advocacy and awareness – Strategies for communications and raising awareness in support of behaviour change and social mobilisation for the integration of water, land and coastal management.
4. Partnerships and relationships – Sustainable development of water, land and coasts, supported by effective stakeholder communications and engagement networks.
5. Communications capacity development – Building advocacy and accountability skills of participating stakeholders though communications and knowledge management.

The profile

SPC seeks a communications and knowledge management expert with a strong background of measurable communications achievements in a variety of media outlets (such as broadcast media, print, video, TV and/or radio production). The appointee will have exceptional communication and writing skills to develop and produce high quality newsletter articles, compelling stories and promotional material from mission reports, situational briefings and related material. The successful candidate will have previously operated in an advocacy position, preferably at a high level, and will be particularly au fait with the development of strategic planning/annual planning documents in the area of media, advocacy and communications. Attributes will also include outstanding teamwork skills, excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, as well as the ability to assess priorities and manage competing deadlines, both independently and as a member of a team.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A master's degree, preferably in communications, media, journalism or a related subject or, alternatively, in a discipline relating to water, environment, natural resources management or development.

Experience

• At least seven years' relevant experience at a national and/or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in a regional coordination role with the ability to manage teams remotely.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing effective regional media network partnerships for public messaging.
• Experience of working within and/or supporting national government agencies.
• Demonstrated analytical skills with an ability to master, compile, summarise and communicate new material effectively and efficiently.
• Experience in understanding the use of environmental information in natural resource planning, management and infrastructure design.
• A high level of proficiency in working with the Microsoft Office suite of programmes, as well as utilisation of web-based management systems and audio-visual production.

Language skills

• Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Cultural awareness

• Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated understanding of developing countries, with particular knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural environment and to have both gender and cultural sensitivities.

Salary, terms and conditions

Remuneration

The Communications and Knowledge Management Adviser is a Band 12 position within SPC's 2015 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,199–3,998 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,106–11,382 (USD 4,861–4,615; EUR 4,861–3,333). 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 subsidised housing in Suva. An establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants. 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
• a statement with your brief responses to the following tasks:

1. Briefly describe your experience in developing and implementing communications and knowledge management strategies.

2. What technical writing have you done? Describe a project in detail (400 words maximum).3. What creative or innovative things have you done to ensure you meet your goals or deliver the results expected? Provide some specific examples.

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