Manager – Programmes for Pacific Women Lead

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 Human Rights and Social Development Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.

In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:

• Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
• Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
• Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
• Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.

As the key implementing partner for the Pacific Women Lead portfolio, SPC leads the Pacific Women Lead (PWL) at SPC programme (PWL at SPC), located within SPC’s HRSD Division. The PWL at SPC receives more than AUD 55 million under the Australian Government’s AUD 170 million PWL portfolio. PWL at SPC has funding for five years from 2021−2026.

The role – Manager Programmes for the Pacific Women Lead at SPC programme, within HRSD, will have overall leadership of the direction, planning and implementation of the programme, to ensure PWL at SPC is implemented effectively and efficiently and achieves its goal and end-of-programme outcomes, and contributes to a coherent and integrated work programme of the Division.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Programme oversight of the management and delivery of the Pacific Women Lead at SPC team, including planning, policy and programming advice

• Provide leadership and direction to the programme.
• Deliver strategic, technical and operational advice.
• Lead the delivery of PWL at SPC’s annual work plan and ensure the programme is integrated with other relevant initiatives at SPC to achieve strategic priorities.
• Ensure PWL at SPC is aligned with the HRSD Business Plan and work programme 2021-2025 and contribute to the achievements of HRSD.

Promoting stakeholder engagement on the programme and its objectives

• Lead strategic advice with respect to planning, policies and programming for culture for the division and SPC.
• Contribute to national, sub-regional, and regional planning, policies and programming that support gender equality and the desired outcomes of PWL at SPC.

Provide day to day management support to the PWL at SPC team

• Supervise the technical work of the senior/advisers and officers to achieve the outcomes of PWL at SPC, under a matrix arrangement in collaboration with relevant HRSD team members.
• Manage the leave approvals, management plans and performance appraisals of senior/advisers and officers assigned to the programme.
• Support resource mobilisation efforts for the HRSD work programme.
• Represent the programme, HRSD and SPC in organisational, regional, sub-regional and international events and initiatives.
• Support working groups and relevant convenings.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development/gender or another relevant field.

Technical expertise

• More than 10 years of experience in managing complex development programmes, preferably in Team Leader or senior management role and on a donor, contractor or NGO programme in developing countries.
• Strong team leadership capabilities including experience leading multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams in an international environment.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and change management processes and in mentoring counterparts through organisational change.
• Demonstrated practical knowledge and broad experience, at a strategic and management level, in the design and delivery of activities striving for the protection and promotion of the rights of women, preferably in a complex international development context.
• Strong understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues and challenges, particularly in the Pacific.
• Strong networks across the Pacific, particularly with women’s organisations at all levels.
• Demonstrated capacity for providing high-level representation and strategic advocacy.
• Proven track record in risk management, including identifying risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Confident and strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to and work effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, at all levels, including senior levels of government, multi-lateral agencies and other partners.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

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 30 June 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Manager Programmes is a band 13 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,087‒5,109 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 12,179–15,224 (USD 5,436–6,795; EUR 5,066–6,333). 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.