Job Description

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

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.

SPC’s Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) capability has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 65 years. The goal of SPC FAME is that the fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. In pursuit of this goal, SPC FAME provides scientific and management advice to Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and regional agencies to support the management of sustainable oceanic fisheries, coastal fisheries, marine ecosystems and aquaculture development. Along with addressing the challenges in the management of the region’s marine resources, there are also significant opportunities to derive greater economic and social benefits from them. Deriving greater benefits from the tuna fisheries, the development of aquaculture in the region, along with alternative livelihoods in coastal fisheries, hold significant potential. SPC FAME provides technical assistance to support PICTs to maximise these sustainable development opportunities in the marine sector and in some parts of the freshwater sector.

SPC FAME is composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecosystems Programme (MEP). The Director’s Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the three programmes and cross-cutting projects. Working with all 22 PICTs, SPC FAME has strong partnerships with regional, sub-regional and national entities working in the marine sector. SPC FAME staff are based in New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tonga, with most of the staff being based in New Caledonia.

The role – Gender and Human Right Adviser – Green Climate Fund – Regional Tuna Programme (GCF-RTP) will deliver timely and relevant analytical, technical, research, programmatic and policy advice on gender equality, social inclusion (GESI) and human rights-based approaches (HRBA) and drive the Gender Action Plan (GAP) developed during the Programme development to fisheries department staff, national fish aggregating device (FAD) programmes and other stakeholders including civil society, and possibly coastal communities for the GCF - RTP covering the work undertaken by SPC and the co-delegatees (Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), to ensure GESI/human rights issues are covered across all components of the GCF - RTP.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

GESI and HRBA mainstreaming and contribution to GCF – RTP PMU

• Develop annual work plans and reports covering GESI and HRBA activities and narratives as required for the GCF RTP PMU and assist with identifying entry points for GESI/HRBA integration across the programmes thematic work areas.
• Develop national - level work plan to guide country specific activities and ensure alignment with and reporting to, the regional GAP.
• Monitor and evaluate impacts of GESI in the RTP and FAME Programme with support from MEL teams
• Contributes where applicable to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications, such as Fisheries Newsletters and GCF TRP articles and reports.

Strengthen the capacity of GCF-RTPs implementing partners on gender mainstreaming, social inclusion and HRB approaches

• Undertake awareness raising activities for GCF RTP staff (FFA, CSIRO) jointly with their relevant experts to ensure a consistent approach to GESI and HRBA is applied across the GCF RTP.
• Undertake and arrange gender and HRBA assessments and stock-takes in collaboration with FFA and CSIRO in their work areas under GCF RTP.
• Document the findings from gender and HRBA studies to identify gaps and areas for intervention and training.
• Work in collaboration with GCF PMU MEL Advisor to support co-delegatees (FFA and CSIRO) in establishing a system for ensuring all data collected is sex disaggregated, and where possible disaggregated by age and any possible disabilities noted.

Strengthen the integration of GESI and HRBA approaches into policy and action at the national, subnational and NGO level with special focus on coastal communities who manage FADs

• Oversee implementation of the GAP developed during the GCF - RTP development, including tailored support to the GESI focal points in the 14 participating countries.
• Upskilling of programme staff and stakeholders in gender and gender-based violence (GBV) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH) dimensions to encourage greater awareness of men and women’s roles and safety in the FAD tuna fishing supply chain.
• Document the findings from gender and HRBA studies to identify gaps and areas for intervention and training at the national and regional levels.
• Provide advice to fisheries department staff to strengthen integration of GESI and HRBA into FAD workplans, policy and action at the national and subnational levels including but not limited to post-harvest selling, value-adding and marketing, in contexts of food security, income generation, and poverty reduction.

Promote inter-agency networking and cross-sectoral collaboration in regard to GESI and HRB approaches with co-delegatees and partners implementing the GCF-RTP

• Liaise and work with regional and international organisations and NGOs on GCF RTP activities and encourage collaborations on GESI and HRBA workplans and activities.
• Liaise and work closely with all the component areas under the GCF RTP including regional and international universities to ensure collaborations and synergies covering gender and HRBA.
• Develop and promote collaborations and joint activities with other sections and divisions within SPC (RRRT, SDP, LRD, GEM etc) on gender and HRBA.

Raise the profile of GESI mainstreaming and HRB approaches through GCF-RTP activities, strategic communication and outreach

• Highlight gender mainstreaming and HRBA activities and progress in all reports produced for the GCF RTP.
• Develop or adapts specific awareness and educational materials for gender mainstreaming and HRBA and disseminate these materials widely.
• Provide specific advice to the national GESI focal points as requested by the Accredited Entity for their reporting to GCF Secretariat on the progress and impact of gender and HRBA activities undertaken through the GCF RTP.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline (Social or political sciences, gender studies, human rights etc.) or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of significant experience related to gender issues/women’s rights and/or human rights, preferably with Pacific experience.
• Experience in research and development and administering projects regarding gender and HRBA.
• Excellent communication skills in English (oral and written) with the capacity to engage government, public and community audiences.
• Proven ability to design, plan and facilitate workshops and other trainings.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced and multi-cultural environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality and HRB approaches.
• Experience working with PC systems and Microsoft work environment.
• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries, sometimes in challenging working conditions.

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 Gender and Human Right Adviser - Green Climate Fund – Regional Tuna Programme (GCF – RTP) is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,245-4,057 per month, which converts to approximately FJD 9,768–12,211 (USD 4,316–5,395; EUR 3,975–4,969) 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.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 19th October 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000903

Applicants must apply online at

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. Can you describe a time when you successfully integrated Gender Equality, Social Inclusion (GESI), and Human Rights-Based Approaches (HRBA) into a multi-partner programme or project cycle? What practical tools or methods did you use to ensure monitoring (e.g., SADD, safeguarding, SEAH referral pathways) and how did you measure success?
2. Imagine you are supporting the development of a national Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) programme. What steps would you take to identify gender and human rights barriers in FAD fisheries, and how would you ensure meaningful participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the value chain?
3. The GCF requires evidence-based reporting against a Gender Action Plan (GAP). How would you ensure that quarterly and annual reports capture both quantitative (SADD indicators) and qualitative (stories of change) progress, while meeting GCF compliance standards?

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