Programme Leader

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 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 – Programme Leader – Natural Resources Management will provide strategic leadership and oversight to ensure the effective delivery and operation of the Natural Resources Management Programme. The role focuses on improving livelihood resilience through diversification initiatives, enhancing the availability and quality of food supplies to domestic and international markets, and providing strategic technical, policy, and advisory support to member countries in the areas of sustainable forestry and land use, biosecurity, One Health and agricultural trade. The position also leads the development, implementation, and management of programme work plans, resource mobilisation efforts, and staff performance and development.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Leadership and Programme Management

• Effective and efficient leadership and management of the Natural Resources Management Programme to ensure effective implementation of project work plans and effective delivery to member countries in line with SPC and development partner requirements.
• Effective leadership oversight of the coordination and management of regional networks within the programmes such as but not limited to PPPO, POETCom.
• Take lead oversight role and ensure the compilation and reporting requirements (internal and external) of projects and programmes to all relevant stakeholders are delivered on time.
• Ensure the programme meets the relevant MEL reporting requirements and contribute effectively to the results framework and participate in relevant annual and biannual learning and reflection initiatives within LRD and across SPC.
• Work closely with Finance and Procurement team to manage overall tracking of budget execution to ensure individual project budgets are tracking well and effectively managed by the relevant project managers.
• Ensure relevant procurement plans are updated and managed efficiently.
• Ensure team members are compliant to relevant SPC corporate requirements including risk management, Human Resources, OHS, Finance.
• Support the One – SPC Transformation Programme initiatives rollout where applicable.

Resource Mobilisation

• Develop and coordinate multi-disciplinary and integrated proposals, in close collaboration with other LRD programmes and technical advisers, across SPC Division as well as regional and international partners.
• In support of the Director and Deputy Director and in line with the LRD Business Plan, assume a lead in the mobilisation of additional resources to further enhance Programme and divisional goals
• Ensure technical regional networks and relevant technical advisory groups such as but not limited to PPPO, One Health and POETCom have strong governance frameworks and are adequately resourced to deliver its services to the Pacific region.

Technical Services and Advisory

• Contribute to policy analysis and timely responses to Director/ Deputy Director LRD, senior management team, member PICTs and other international organisations.
• Ensure there is appropriate information and knowledge products to support development of evidence-based policies.
• Ensure timely provision of strategic technical advice and appropriate technical assistance and support to member PICTs and key international stakeholders within the remit of the programme.
• Investigate and promote approaches for improving value add and reducing transaction costs for improving markets.
• Develop and operationalise sustainable integrated programmes for effective provision of biosecurity, One Health and agricultural trade technical services and advisory.
• Develop and operationalise sustainable integrated ecosystems programmes that support sustainable forestry and land use planning interventions including nature-based solutions.
• Support and advocate for more gender and social inclusion initiatives within the programme and those supported though the Gender Flagship.

People Management

• Supervision of staff, including leave approvals, management plans and performance appraisals staff.
• Creating a team environment that fosters and develops effective working relationships and high performance.
• Building a strong and effective team capable of providing services of the highest quality.
• Provide mentoring and leadership to staff.
• Ensure programme wide team planning is prioritized annually with quarterly reflections as and where needed.
• Support staff to think and work in programmatic and integrated ways across the Division and SPC where appropriate.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A master’s level degree in agriculture, environment, forestry or international development or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in a project or program management role within a regional or international organisation.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in multisectoral approaches such as One Health.

Technical expertise

• At least 12 years of experience in a similar role, including project management and staff supervision experience.
• Expertise in research and implementation of interventions in agricultural supply chains, biosecurity, and agriculture trade issues.
• Expertise in extension and understanding of the obstacles facing smallholder farmers, forestry and land use challenges and development of agricultural clusters.
• Understanding of national and Pacific regional issues related to sustainable agricultural production and forestry.
• Experience in computational and statistical tools for the management of agricultural, forestry and land use related data and information.
• Demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Experience in fundraising, proposal preparation, and project management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to motivate, inspire and promote teamwork in an interdisciplinary, multicultural, and regional context.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English with excellent communication skills.

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 – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Programme Leader – Natural Resources Management is a band 12position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,743‒4,679 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 11,566–14,458 (USD 5,016–6,270; EUR 4,526–5,658). 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 Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – 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: 16 August 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000958

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. In your view, what role do One Health and biosecurity play in strengthening food systems in the Pacific? How do these approaches connect to issues such as food security, agriculture trade and the resilience of small holder farming systems?
2. Describe a programme you have led at a regional or international level. What was your role in developing and managing the workplan, and how did you ensure delivery met both organisational and donor/development partner requirements for reporting, monitoring and evaluation and budget tracking?
3. Describe your experience developing and securing funding for multi-disciplinary or integrated proposals with donors, regional or international bodies. What was your specific contribution, and what was the scale of resources mobilised?
4. Based on your understanding, how does forestry -natural based solutions contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation in the Pacific? What are the critical issues for consideration relevant to the Pacific?