Monitoring Control and Surveillance Officer (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture - Training)

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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role – the Monitoring Control and Surveillance Officer (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture - Training), will support and lead the development and implementation of certificate level courses in Community Compliance for Coastal Fisheries, specifically tailored for the northern Pacific region. This position will focus on collaborating with key educational institutions, including Palau Community College, College of Micronesia, and Marshall Islands Community College, to enhance educational offerings that promote sustainable fishing practices and community engagement.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

To facilitate, support, and lead the successful development and implementation of certificate-level courses focused on Community Compliance in Coastal Fisheries within the northern Pacific region

• Establish and maintain partnerships with local community colleges (Palau Community College, College of Micronesia, Marshall Islands Community College) and relevant stakeholders.
• Organize workshops and meetings to gather input from community members, educators, and fisheries experts.
• Oversee the rollout of the certificate-level courses, ensuring they are accessible and effectively delivered.
• Provide training and support to educators and facilitators involved in course delivery.
• Develop metrics to assess the effectiveness and impact of the courses on community compliance and fisheries management.
• Conduct regular evaluations and gather feedback to continuously improve course offerings.
• Promote awareness of the new courses among target communities and encourage enrolment.

Facilitate and support training of community-based fish wardens and community compliance officers using the Professional Certificate in Community Compliance as a basic guiding approach to training

• Be the focal point for National Fisheries agencies to liaise with national training institutes to conduct the Professional Certificate in Community Compliance
• Work closely with the SPC MCS training co-ordinator the NZ MPI Te Patui programme, and Wild Aid to deliver the Professional Certificate in Community Compliance where no national capacity or commitment to deliver this training exists
• Work closely with the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, One Reef and Our Fish Our Future in implementing community-based MCS under PEUMP programme, especially in Melanesian countries.
• Liaise and work with regional and international organisations and NGOs on community-based MCS issues, and encourage collaborations and partnerships where appropriate

Facilitate and support the SPC MCS advisers with the training of new national fisheries and aquaculture MCS officers

• Facilitate and assist in-country MCS training either face-to-face or in virtual workshops by providing the lead trainer with back up training delivery and administration support as required
• Assist with developing a compliance culture in coastal fisheries and aquaculture among national fisheries agencies and the general public
• Assist with the development and distribution of information and awareness materials on fisheries and aquaculture regulations to ensure the rules are widely promoted amongst the general public and specifically communities

Section administration and communication

• Assist the MCS Adviser (CF&A) in developing and reporting on the Section’s annual work plan, consistent with the CFAP 5-Year Plan and FAME Business Plan.
• Produce reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity, including training, technical and trip reports, and inputs to funding proposals, and donor reports.
• Maintain up to date corporate and administrative procedures records for all activities undertaken.
• Acquit any cash advances for fieldwork and training activities, with receipts to justify all expenses.
• Contribute to Programme and Divisional publications, such as the Fisheries Newsletter and the Coastal Fisheries Report Card.
• Fill in for CFAP staff when they are on leave or duty travel, when required and appropriate.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in a field relevant to natural resource management with a focus on monitoring control and surveillance or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 5-6 years’ practical experience with monitoring, control and surveillance and/or community-based fisheries management practices, preferably in the Pacific
• Experience in training and mentoring counterparts and supervising attachments and junior staff
• Proven experience in designing and implementing educational programs or courses, particularly in a community college setting
• Strong knowledge of coastal fisheries management, sustainability practices, and compliance regulations relevant to the region
• Demonstrated experience in training, writing reports, reporting against project work plans and managing project expenditure
• Demonstrated experience in working as part of a team or alone with minimal supervision
• Proven ability to assist with the facilitation of stakeholder consultations to reach a workable solution
• Excellent computer skills across necessary applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word, TEAMs, etc

Language skills

• Excellent skills in cross-cultural oral and written communication in English, with the capacity to engage effectively with scientific, government, public and community audiences.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Willingness to travel and work in the Pacific region for extended periods, sometimes under difficult conditions.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This contract is budgeted until 30 September 2026.

Remuneration – the Monitoring Control and Surveillance Officer (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture - Training) is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,051–3,748 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately USD 4,058–4,985. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will 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 Federated States of Micronesia; Federated States of Micronesia Nationals employed by SPC in Pohnpei will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international staff employees based in Pohnpei – SPC provides a housing allowance of USD 1,000–2,000 and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Airfares, medical and life insurance are available for eligible employees. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave per year of contract 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 bilinguism, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

How to apply

Application procedure

Closing date: 10 August 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000460

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.

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. Can you describe your experience designing or delivering educational or training programs related to coastal fisheries or natural resource management? Specifically, how have you ensured that course content is relevant to the needs and cultural contexts of Pacific Island communities?
2. This role requires collaboration with institutions such as Palau Community College, the College of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands Community College. Can you provide an example of a successful partnership you’ve led or contributed to with an educational or community-based organisation?
3. What is your understanding of coastal fisheries compliance, and how have you supported or implemented training for community wardens/compliance officers or Authorised MCS&E officers in the past?