Deputy Director-General - Science and Capability
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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known 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 organisation has approximately 950 staff.
The Pacific Community and its Secretariat’s shares the vision for our region adopted by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism: Our Pacific vision is for a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy and productive lives. Its mission is to work for the well-being of Pacific people through the effective and innovative application of science and knowledge, guided by a deep understanding of the Pacific Islands contexts and cultures.
The organisation has gained a reputation for providing real solutions to real problems in the Pacific (SPC Strategic Plan 2022-2031) and strives to maintain professionalism, integrity and pragmatism in delivering its services. The heart of SPC is its integrated work programme, which combines diverse disciplines enabling a multisectoral approach to regional development. The work programme focuses on delivering technical assistance, research, education and training through courses, workshops and seminars to Pacific Island member countries and territories.
SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. Other offices include the Fiji Regional Office in Suva, Fiji, the Micronesia Regional Office in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, the Melanesia Regional Office in Port Vila, Vanuatu and the Polynesia Regional Office in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
The role
The Deputy Director-General – Science and Capability will be responsible for the leadership, direction and coordination of the organisation’s scientific and technical programme areas across all locations covering the following disciplines: climate change and environmental sustainability, educational quality and assessment, fisheries, aquaculture and marine ecosystems, geosciences energy and maritime, human and social development, land resources, public health, and statistics for development.
The Deputy Director-General – Science and Capability is the Director-General’s representative in Fiji and represents the Director-General at high levels in Fiji and in regional and international fora. The role collaborates closely with the Deputy Director-General - Operations and Integration in the implementation and execution of SPC’s integrated and country programs, resource mobilisation efforts and partner engagement.
The Key Results For The Position Are
Leadership, coordination and management
Collaborate to achieve a united organisational culture and compliance with operational policies and legal requirements
Other Duties As Required
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration – the Deputy Director-General – Science and Capability is a band 17 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 7,818-9,772 per month, which converts to approximately FJD 23,531-29,414 (USD 10,397-12,997; EUR 9,575-11,969). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is 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 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. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
Application procedure
Closing date: 10 January 2026
Applicants must apply (CV, cover letter and responses to screening questions) at: malcolmduncan@insgroup.com.au
If you encounter challenges when applying, please contact malcolmduncan@insgroup.com.au (+61 418 278 952) for assistance.
Only applications received through the Insight Group will be considered. Any applications received through other channels will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.
For Your Application To Be Considered, You Must Provide
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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known 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 organisation has approximately 950 staff.
The Pacific Community and its Secretariat’s shares the vision for our region adopted by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism: Our Pacific vision is for a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy and productive lives. Its mission is to work for the well-being of Pacific people through the effective and innovative application of science and knowledge, guided by a deep understanding of the Pacific Islands contexts and cultures.
The organisation has gained a reputation for providing real solutions to real problems in the Pacific (SPC Strategic Plan 2022-2031) and strives to maintain professionalism, integrity and pragmatism in delivering its services. The heart of SPC is its integrated work programme, which combines diverse disciplines enabling a multisectoral approach to regional development. The work programme focuses on delivering technical assistance, research, education and training through courses, workshops and seminars to Pacific Island member countries and territories.
SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. Other offices include the Fiji Regional Office in Suva, Fiji, the Micronesia Regional Office in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, the Melanesia Regional Office in Port Vila, Vanuatu and the Polynesia Regional Office in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
The role
The Deputy Director-General – Science and Capability will be responsible for the leadership, direction and coordination of the organisation’s scientific and technical programme areas across all locations covering the following disciplines: climate change and environmental sustainability, educational quality and assessment, fisheries, aquaculture and marine ecosystems, geosciences energy and maritime, human and social development, land resources, public health, and statistics for development.
The Deputy Director-General – Science and Capability is the Director-General’s representative in Fiji and represents the Director-General at high levels in Fiji and in regional and international fora. The role collaborates closely with the Deputy Director-General - Operations and Integration in the implementation and execution of SPC’s integrated and country programs, resource mobilisation efforts and partner engagement.
The Key Results For The Position Are
Leadership, coordination and management
- Provide executive leadership and management to SPC’s scientific and technical divisions and programmes.
- Represent the Director-General in relations with the Government of Fiji as host of SPC’s Fiji offices.
- Represent the Director-General, as required, at high levels in bilateral relationships with members and partners, and regional and international fora.
- In support of the DDG Operations and Integration and SPC’s Strategy, Performance and Learning team (SPL) help deliver cross-divisional and regional integration efforts to ensure that SPC is well placed to respond to member articulated needs through multisectoral approaches.
- Resource mobilisation - in support of the DDG Operations and Integration, ensure proactive engagement and support for resource mobilisation efforts across SPC, leading to diversified and strengthened donor base.
Collaborate to achieve a united organisational culture and compliance with operational policies and legal requirements
Other Duties As Required
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Post graduate qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. science, economics, development studies, business, public administration, organisational development) or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
- Excellent leadership and management skills, including demonstrated general management, people management and financial management skills.
- Extensive experience at an executive or senior management level that includes at least 10 years working at an international level.
- Very strong analytical and conceptual skills.
- Demonstrated ability to implement organisational change in a complex environment.
- Familiarity with donor agencies and their requirements and demonstrated resource mobilisation skills.
- Ability to work well in a multi-cultural and gender-sensitive environment.
- Change and Innovation
- Interpersonal Skills
- Teamwork
- Promotion of Equity and Equality
- Judgement
- Building Individual Capacity
- Ability to think strategically
- Ability to operate in a political environment
- Ability to analyse situations and make sound decisions even when information is imperfect
- Ability to handle conflicts between staff
- Diplomatic skills and tact
- Respect for SPC corporate values
- Resilience
- High level of professional integrity and ethics
- Demonstrated high level commitment to customer service
- Excellent English language communication and negotiation skills. A good working knowledge of French language would be considered an advantage.
Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration – the Deputy Director-General – Science and Capability is a band 17 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 7,818-9,772 per month, which converts to approximately FJD 23,531-29,414 (USD 10,397-12,997; EUR 9,575-11,969). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is 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 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. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
Application procedure
Closing date: 10 January 2026
Applicants must apply (CV, cover letter and responses to screening questions) at: malcolmduncan@insgroup.com.au
If you encounter challenges when applying, please contact malcolmduncan@insgroup.com.au (+61 418 278 952) for assistance.
Only applications received through the Insight Group will be considered. Any applications received through other channels will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.
For Your Application To Be Considered, You Must Provide
- 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
- Please describe your vision for the Pacific Community, including what you see as the key focus areas over the next two years to achieve your vision.
- Explain how SPC scientific and technical expertise will address the complex development challenges faced by members over the next two years.