Job Description

• Noumea-based position
• 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, proudly 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 renowned 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 Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Legal and Monitoring Control Surveillance) will provide legal support to the Legal and MCS Advisers in advancing coastal fisheries and aquaculture compliance across Pacific Island countries and territories. This includes conducting legal research, supporting legislative review and development, and contributing to the design of training and awareness materials to strengthen legal capacity at national and community levels.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Assist and support the training and mentoring of new and existing national coastal fisheries and aquaculture Legal/MCS officers, community-based fish wardens and community compliance officers, to enhance the region’s delivery of coastal fisheries compliance services

• Assist SPC FAME MCS Adviser and Officers delivering in-country MCS training, either face-to-face or in virtual workshops, and support the lead trainer with back up training delivery and administration as required
• Assist the legal team with training workshops on legislative drafting for coastal fisheries and aquaculture officers
• 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 nationally and locally.
• Assist SPC FAME MCS Adviser, Officers and the New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industry’s (NZ MPI) Te Patui programme to deliver the level III Professional Certificate in Community Compliance.

Assist in developing legal and MCS training materials and MCS tools for individual countries through stakeholder consultations based on their needs

• Assist SPC FAME MCS Adviser and Officers undertake scoping work with individual PICTs to identify their MCS training needs and develop training programmes to address these needs, taking into account gender, culture and human rights needs in the PICTs.
• Assist the SPC FAME Legal Adviser in conducting legal research related to coastal fisheries and aquaculture compliance and enforcement issues to enhance the understanding of national legal frameworks across the Pacific Islands region
• Assist SPC FAME MCS Adviser and Officers to work with individual PICTs and in collaboration with the FAME Fisheries Information Unit and appropriate CFAP sections, to develop materials such as a template for Compliance Decision-Making Guidelines, a template for MCS strategies for member country use, training manuals, Standard Operating Procedure templates and other MCS related training, information and awareness materials.
• Assist with developing and promoting novel and emerging technologies, and emerging information, awareness and training approaches, including, but not limited to, social media, videos and audio.

Collaborate with other relevant work areas within and across SPC sections, programmes and divisions, and other regional organisations

• Liaise and work with the other FAME CFAP staff and aquaculture section to integrate their different work areas into Legal/MCS outputs, including the development of supporting awareness raising materials for these areas.
• Liaise and work with other regional organisations in preparing and delivering Legal/Legal related training, information and awareness materials.

Section administration and communication

• Produce reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity, including training, technical and trip 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.

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

Key selection criteria

Pacific Islands

• Only applicants from Pacific Island countries are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be employed in a Pacific Island fisheries or conservation / environment department or a recognised NGO working in the field of fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Marine Resources Management or related disciplines or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 2-3 years’ practical experience with monitoring, control and surveillance, or fisheries legal experience in the Pacific
• Experience in training, writing reports, reporting against project work plans and managing project expenditure
• Understanding of legal issues underlying compliance and enforcement, particularly in the coastal fisheries and aquaculture sectors
• Experience in working as part of a team or alone with minimal supervision
• 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 and teamwork in English or French, 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

Requirements: Only applicants who are nationals and residents of Pacific Island countries are eligible to apply. Applicants must be employed in or contracted by a Pacific Island fisheries or conservation / environment agency, or a recognized NGO working in the field of fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country.

Letter of endorsement – A signed letter from the employer, stating they agree to release the applicant for the attachment and that the position will be held for the applicant to return to at the end of the attachment with SPC must be provided before an appointment can be finalized.

Contract duration – This appointment will last for a duration of 364 days and will not be renewable.

Remuneration – The Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Legal and Monitoring Control Surveillance) is a Band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a salary of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,038 per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 444,062 (USD 4,041; EUR 3,721). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits – SPC provides subsidized housing in Noumea, an establishment grant, return airfare, and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; medical and life insurance; and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

We encourage all eligible candidates to apply but please note that as this is a special short-term contract, the full list of benefits included in other international contract types are not available. Appointees may bring their families, but all extra costs for travel, insurance, education, housing and other additional expenses will be their own responsibility. 

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. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 3 August 2025 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time

Job Reference: CR000454

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.

Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. What are the main legal issues underlying compliance and enforcement, particularly in the Pacific Island coastal fisheries and aquaculture sectors?
2. In the context of coastal fisheries monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement (MCS&E), discuss the role of fisheries authorised officers in dealing with legal offences and describe any direct experience in handling judicial cases on marine resources.
3. Together with a sound legal framework, the optimum delivery of compliance services to fishing communities relies on a multi-faceted MCS&E strategy to create a culture of compliance in that community. Discuss the importance of a sound legal framework to achieve effective coastal fisheries management and compliance with agreed rules. If applicable, please reference the use of traditional and/or customary practices in the delivery of compliance services to members of the community. 

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