BACKGROUND

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. It works in a wide range of sectors, including natural resources (agriculture, fisheries and forestry), health, statistics, human development, social issues, and information and communication technology. Established in 1947 as an international organisation, SPC has 26 member countries and territories. English and French are its working languages. The organisation has been expanding rapidly and now has approximately 400 staff and a total annual budget of XPF (French Pacific francs) 8 billion (approximately USD 90 million).

SPC’s headquarters is in Noumea, New Caledonia. It also has regional offices in Suva, Fiji Islands and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia and national offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands as well as Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The organisation has gained a reputation for providing ‘real solutions to real problems’ in the Pacific (SPC Corporate Review, 2005) and strives to maintain professionalism, integrity and pragmatism in delivering its services. Additional information on SPC can be found on its website: www.spc.int .

The SPC Land Resources Division (LRD) is currently implementing its second integrated Strategic Plan, 2009–2012, which integrates its assistance to SPC members in the areas of crops, livestock and forestry. The goal of the LRD is to improve food security, increase trade and assist the Pacific Community to be more prosperous and healthy and to manage its agricultural and forest resources in a sustainable way. To attain this goal, LRD has the following three objectives:

•    food and nutritional security;
•    integrated and sustainable agriculture and forestry resource management and development; and
•    improved and increased trade in agricultural and forestry products.

A number of outputs are to be achieved to address the major issues under each of the objectives. LRD has a management structure anchored on seven thematic area teams, each with a Team Coordinator. These thematic area teams include: Plant Health; Animal Health and Production; Biosecurity and Trade Support; Forestry & Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production and Soils Management; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees. Three support teams – Agriculture and Forestry Policy; Information, Communication and Extension; and Administration – provide support across the seven thematic areas.

SPC wishes to recruit a Plant Pathology Adviser to work within the Plant Health thematic area team and contribute to the work of other thematic area teams where she or he has competencies, in order to contribute to achievement of the division’s strategic objectives.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the LRD Plant Health Coordinator, and in collaboration with member Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) and other SPC plant health and biosecurity staff, the Plant Pathology Adviser’s work will involve field surveillance, disease diagnostics, training, and development and implementation of plant disease management strategies that improve the effectiveness and sustainability of pest management in agriculture and forestry in target PICTs.


In particular, the functions of the position will include the following:

•    implement in PICTs plant pathology activities of the LRD Plant Health thematic area group to address plant disease problems caused by fungi, viruses and virus-like pathogens, bacteria, and nematodes;
•    develop and implement plant disease management systems or programmes in close collaboration with PICTs to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of agricultural production in the Pacific Island region;
•    plan and undertake plant disease surveys in PICTs and facilitate or provide plant disease diagnosis or identification for PICT national quarantine and plant protection services and other clients;
•    oversee the provision of a regional plant pathology diagnostic service, including running serological and molecular diagnostic laboratories;
•    guide and provide advice on appropriate plant disease management strategies to services or agencies that supply disease-free planting material to PICTs;
•    promote agricultural production and commodity export in PICTs by addressing crop and post-harvest disease management strategies;
•    provide training and advice to plant protection personnel in member PICTs on national reporting of the occurrence of plant diseases;
•    as necessary, ensure that the plant disease records contained in the Pacific Pest List Database are accurate and up to date;
•    establish appropriate national, regional and international linkages necessary to maintain effective plant protection and biosecurity services;
•    write, edit and publish specific plant pathology information materials aimed at a wide range of audiences (many of whom use English as a second language), including growers, agricultural extensionists, researchers, development agencies and students;
•    actively participate in regional and national workshops and meetings, and conduct training courses on subjects relevant to the functions of the position and other plant protection areas as necessary;
•    travel extensively and frequently to PICTs to review and implement work programmes as necessary;
•    produce as required, in a timely manner, reports to donor partners and to SPC on progress of work;
•    supervise core support and technical staff of the Plant Health thematic area team; and
•    perform other related duties as required by the Plant Health Coordinator or LRD Director.


QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

•    At least a master’s degree in agriculture or biological sciences combined with strong wide-ranging plant pathology experience working with a range of pathogens in different crops. Applicants should have at least 8 years of practical plant pathology experience;
•    Working and practical knowledge of the different plant disease symptoms caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses and other pathogenic agents in at least one agricultural crop or commodity produced in the Pacific Islands;
•    Good interpersonal skills, with demonstrated capacity to collaborate with staff in other thematic teams;
•    Ability to work effectively among different groups within SPC and at regional and international levels;
•    Strong professional links with recognised international institutions, such as those dealing with taxonomic issues;
•    High skill levels in both written and oral communication, including a demonstrated record in scientific writing;
•    High levels of computer competency in word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and email;
•    Proven ability in project management and implementation; and
•    Fluency in written and spoken English.


Highly desirable

•    Demonstrated ability to identify and analyse key needs for plant pathology in a regional setting;
•    Good broad knowledge of Pacific Island agricultural systems;
•    Broad understanding of the cultural diversity of the region; and
•    Knowledge of instructional techniques and experience in the design and implementation of training programmes.


SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SALARY AND ALLOWANCES

The starting salary will depend on experience and qualifications. The position is currently in Grade J of SPC’s salary scale.

Salaries for staff recruited internationally are set in SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and paid in the local currency, i.e. Fijian dollar (FJD) in Fiji. The salary range for this grade is SDR 2,752–3,723 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert into approximately FJD 8,552–11,570 per month (USD 4,100–5,600; € 2,900–3,900).

SPC subsidises housing. A housing allowance of 75 per cent of the total rental, up to a limit of FJD 2,625 per month, will be provided. The minimum housing allowance payable is FJD 1,170 per month.

In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of Fiji Islands. Where appropriate, an education allowance will be paid.

While SPC remuneration is not subject to income tax in Fiji Islands at the present time, this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji Islands, and it is possible that Fiji nationals will be required to pay income tax in the future.


TENURE

The appointment is initially for a period of three years, subject to a one-year probationary period, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability.


DUTY STATION

Suva, Fiji Islands.


LEAVE

Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum.
Sick leave is 30 working days per annum.


MEDICAL BENEFITS

SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctors’ fees, the cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits.

PROVIDENT FUND

The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute 8 per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution.


FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES

For an appointee recruited outside Fiji Islands, the cost of air fares by the most direct and/or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination.


COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT

SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows.


SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT

Smoking is not permitted in the workplace.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based on merit. If two shortlisted candidates are judged to be equally qualified, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.


ADDRESS AND CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications should be addressed to the Deputy Director-General (Suva Regional Office), Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Islands, to arrive by 30 November 2009.

Applications may be submitted by fax (+679 3370 021) or emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format).

Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and address the selection criteria for the position in their covering letter. They should also provide three written references.