Job Description

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific 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, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP) is an eight-year multi-partner, multi-country initiative to enhance humanitarian warehousing capabilities across 14 Pacific Island Countries and Timor-Leste via three areas of intervention – warehousing infrastructure, supplies (non-food items) and warehousing systems, including integration into local and regional humanitarian architecture. The program is framed by three thematic priorities – gender equality, disability and social inclusion; localization; and green humanitarian action. By the end of the eight-year period, it is expected that participating countries are able to respond to disasters increasingly independently and sustainably.

The role – Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Advisor will play a crucial role in ensuring that gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusion principles are effectively integrated into the PHWP by developing and implementing a comprehensive GEDSI Strategy and Action Plan (GEDSI SAP), leading GEDSI capacity building and training for PHWP target audiences, facilitating community engagement and participation and ensuring that Humanitarian Emergency Response Supplies (HERS) and warehouse facilities are gender, social and culturally responsive. 

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Development and implementation of the PHWP GEDSI SAP

• Understand existing GEDSI policies and practices within SPC and develop a baseline assessment for PHWP.
• Collaborate with the MEL Advisor to establish measurable targets and key performance indicators in the PHWP Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework.
• Collaborate with the Program Strategy Advisor and other members of the program leadership to ensure that the GEDSI strategy is fully integrated into the overall program objectives.
• Integrate GEDSI considerations into the Country Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Diagnostic Studies and Country Development Plans to guide program implementation at the country-level.

Strengthen GEDSI capacity building and training

• Conduct a GEDSI capacity building and training needs assessment for the program.
• Design and deliver GEDSI capacity buildings programs tailored to the different audiences within the program, leveraging existing local knowledge about inclusive practices in disaster management, including the storage and distribution of HERS.
• Contribute to a process of sector, programme and corporate thought leadership by organizing or contributing papers to workshops, seminars, and other learning events to promote GEDSI awareness and skills development as it relates to disaster preparedness and response across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

Stakeholder and community engagement and participation

• Develop a community engagement strategy that will contain the approaches of community engagement and participation for PHWP.
• Develop and implement participatory approaches that engages women, youth, older persons, people with disabilities, diverse SOGIESC individuals, and other at-risk groups in program planning and decision-making at a whole-of-program and country-level.
• Establish and maintain relationships with peak bodies, local community organizations, CSOs and OPDs particularly those representing marginalized groups.
• Design and implement targeted outreach strategies to reach and involve underrepresented groups in program activities.

GEDSI Responsive Infrastructure and HERS

• Collaborate with the ISU to incorporate context specific GEDSI considerations into the physical layout and features of the humanitarian warehouses.
• Develop guidelines and standards to create safe and accessible warehouses that meet the needs People, in all their diversity.
• Collaborate with the Humanitarian Logistics Capability to review specifications for HERS, ensuring that items meet the diverse needs of different population groups within each context, including women, youth, older persons, and people with disabilities.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A post graduate qualification in gender studies, social sciences, international development, disaster management, or a related field.

Technical expertise

• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in GEDSI-related roles, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts within the Pacific region.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing GEDSI strategies and policies in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Familiarity with the socio-cultural context of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste and the specific GEDSI challenges in the region.
• Strong understanding of international standards and best practices in gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusion in complex operational settings, including knowledge of international humanitarian standards and frameworks, such as the Sphere Standards and the Core Humanitarian Standard.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and marginalized groups.
• Knowledge of Pacific languages is an advantage.
• Fully functional computer skills across an array of Microsoft applications including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.

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

Remuneration – The Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Advisor is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,672–9,591 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,191–3,989). 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.

B enefits 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 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: 13 October 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000737

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 your experience in developing and implementing a GEDSI strategy in a multi-stakeholder environment, particularly in the context of humanitarian or development work in the Pacific region?
2. Describe a situation where you had to design and deliver GEDSI capacity strengthening initiatives for diverse audiences. What was your approach, and how did you measure the effectiveness of the training?
3. Can you provide an example of how you've successfully engaged with marginalized groups (such as women, youth, older persons, people with disabilities, or diverse SOGIESC individuals) in program planning and decision-making? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

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