RECRUITMENT NOTICE No. 14/03 Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) 28 January 2014 Deputy Director, Human Rights Programme SPC invites applications for the position of Deputy Director in its Regional Rights Resource Team, located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji. SPC is the Pacific Island region s principal technical and scientific organisation. It delivers technical, scientific, research, policy and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories in fisheries, agriculture, forestry, water resources, geoscience, transport, energy, disaster risk management, public health, statistics, education, human rights, gender, youth and culture. For more information, visit www.spc.int. In applying, candidates should be guided by SPC s vision, mission and corporate values, the role and profile of the position and the key result areas and selection criteria. SPC s vision for the region is a secure and prosperous Pacific Community, whose people are educated and healthy and manage their resources in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way. Our mission is to help Pacific Island people position themselves to respond effectively to the challenges they face and make informed decisions about their future and the future they leave for the generations that follow. Our corporate values are underpinned by the principle of making a positive difference in the lives of Pacific Island people putting people first. They include accountability, integrity, respect, transparency, sustainability, people-centredness, gender equality and cultural sensitivity. The Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team is a human rights programme within the Education, Training and Human Development Division (ETHDD) of SPC. The programme provides technical assistance, training and education throughout the Pacific. RRRT currently has eight focus areas, some of which are distinct projects: violence against women (VAW) legislation; access to justice and the rule of law; support to vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities; HIV and human rights; support to national level human rights initiatives; support to ratification and reporting on human rights conventions, including the Universal Periodic Review; and promoting the establishment of national and regional human rights mechanisms. The programme has its main offices in Suva, Fiji, and eight outposted Country Focal Officer positions in Samoa, Tuvalu, Nauru, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and Federated States of Micronesia. As of 2013, RRRT has total staffing of 27 positions and a total budget of over AUD 7.4 million. RRRT has an External Advisory Board of eminent persons who provide policy and planning advice. The role Manage the RRRT programme including six or more distinct projects in the area of human rights and gender. The position is responsible for human resource and financial management, planning, donor liaison, fundraising and reporting, overall strategic direction, technical overview, and accountability. The appointee will have a proven track record in social development / human rights project design, from inception through to implementation and evaluation stages. RRRT receives no core funding, so the management of several donor contracts and portfolios is complex.
The profile SPC seeks a highly versatile and experienced Deputy Director with proven leadership ability and solid project management experience to manage the RRRT programme including six or more major projects in the area of human rights and gender. The Deputy Director will be responsible for managing a team of approximately 27 staff and therefore a very strong background in people management and human resource management is essential. The Deputy Director will also need to possess a proven track record in project development, proposal writing, donor liaison and fundraising to be successful in the role. In addition, the Deputy Director will need to ensure that donor contracts comply with budgets, job tasks and project requirements. The Deputy Director will be an excellent mentor with the ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. In order to succeed in this role the Deputy Director will have a strong aptitude for high quality service; clarity, confidence and articulateness in both written and oral communication. Key result areas The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate expertise and experience in the following areas: 1. Strategic planning and policy Ensures the RRRT strategic plan is endorsed and completed every four years. Ensures that accurate and timely annual planning is completed. Ensures the incorporation of country plans and activities into annual planning and strategic plans, including staff personal development plans. Ensures that all project proposals developed are in line with RRRT as well as SPC corporate and divisional strategic plans. Develops strategic proposals for funding and core support. Supports the development of SPC divisional plans for the Education, Training and Human Development Division. Supports the development of ETHDD policy papers. Contributes to SPC policy and strategic development analysis. Contributes to human rights and gender policy initiatives at the national, regional and international level. 2. Partnership and representation Establishes and maintains donor relations and leads negotiations for fundraising. As RRRT is not fully funded by development projects, maintaining positive relationships with all donors to ensure continued project funding is critical. Maintains close relations with all donors and development partners. Shares information and plays a coordinating role with Pacific and international partners. Represents SPC RRRT effectively at national, regional and international forums / other meetings as required. Enhances RRRT and ETHDD's visibility through representation and delivery of papers and presentations that are in line with SPC s plans, plus gender and human rights frameworks. Has a proven track record of effective relationships with government, international organisations and national partners in sensitive areas such as human rights. 3. Overall management Ensures effective implementation of RRRT's human resources plan through adherence to SPC staff policies and clear links to RRRT strategy. Supports the staff team in implementation of the RRRT Strategic Plan and donor agreements (projects) by ensuring solid communication and staff support. Manages several donor contracted projects, ensuring that all project reporting requirements and financial management is adhered to (normally running five to six separate projects at any one time). Ensures the effective expenditure of projects, ensuring accountability and effective use of project resources. Ensures the effective day-to-day running of the RRRT programme through implementation of effective financial and administrative controls in line with SPC administrative
and finance policies and procedures. Monitors and supports effective staff performance. Oversees programme administration and delivery, ensuring that strategic objectives are met and the programme adheres to financial compliance. Ensures that donor proposals are written to a high standard for effective fundraising / increase in revenue. 4. Monitoring and evaluation Ensures that RRRT quarterly and six monthly donor and other reports are completed in a timely manner and to a high standard. Ensures that adequate funding is provided to enable effective monitoring and evaluation functions of all aspects of the RRRT programme. Develops robust information systems within the programme to ensure accuracy of information and ease of retrieval. Supports external evaluators in reviewing progress met in achieving RRRT s goals and objectives. Ensures that RRRT outcomes are documented through case studies, stories and 'impacts' that are widely publicised. Supports other ETHDD programmes in developing shared outcomes in line with the divisional plan. Works with SPC planning to ensure that RRRT s M&E plan is in line with SPC s corporate M&E framework, as well as the new IRIS system. 5. Capacity building Contributes to and promotes internal learning, including new information / debates on topical human rights issues. Ensures that staff learning plans are implemented and supported. Provides training / mentoring to staff and partners on key human rights / management and strategic planning issues. Provides training and support to other SPC programmes in the area of human rights / gender / VAW as required. Supports the ETHDD through shared training and capacity building support. Contributes to and back-stops RRRT staff for regional and national training, speeches or development of policy papers in key human rights areas. 6. Fundraising Ensures that there is sufficient donor funding to meet the programme objectives through a broad donor base. Develops proposals that are successful through careful research and good written communication skills. Keeps donors informed about programme plans, impacts and lessons learned through excellent reporting. Manages multiple portfolios and a range of donor contracts, ensuring that staff work and functions are supported, charged across projects accurately. Looks for opportunities for shared work within the division as well as in other divisions at SPC. Key selection criteria candidates will be assessed against the following selection criteria: 1. Leadership Demonstrate a clear vision for the RRRT programme, and contribute to leadership with ETHDD. Act as a role model to inspire, motivate and develop others. Ensure that the staff in the division and across the organisation feel trusted and valued. Develop and lead multi-sectoral initiatives that contribute to RRRT s objectives and SPC s goals. 2. Strategic thinking and planning Able to think and act with a long term perspective. Develop and implement plans and projects that deliver strategic and long-term outcomes. 3. Resource management Oversee the development and management of staff and budgets. Anticipate and manage change and risks. Negotiate for necessary resources from corporate and other sources and ensure that value for money is achieved. 4. Results-oriented problem solving Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
5. Innovation and analytical skills Able to generate new ideas/opportunities, develop policy advice based on sound analysis, and support original solutions. 6. Influencing and relationship building skills Able to influence and guide others to achieve divisional and organisational goals. Demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills and excellent interpersonal skills. Contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with stakeholders. 7. Qualifications Masters degree in human rights law/development, sociology or other subject related to human rights, development studies, gender or Masters in development management. 8. Technical expertise Excellent leadership skills with a minimum of ten years' management experience in a similar role and at least 15 years of project or programme experience in a social development field: gender, human rights and/or governance. Proven experience of coordination/liaison with donors, governments and civil society. Excellent financial management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects. Exemplary human resource management skills. Project or programme management experience in the Pacific with a firm understanding of development challenges and current issues. A proven track record in fundraising and proposal writing, with solid strategic planning experience. At least ten years' proven experience at senior management level with strategic and organisational expertise directly related to the position. Demonstrated capacity for project leadership and high quality management (including the ability to meet deadlines), human resources, project and financial management. 9. Language skills Proficient in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage. 10. Cultural awareness Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with a knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage. Remuneration The Deputy Director is a Band 14 position in SPC s 2014 salary scale, with a salary range of 4,200 6,300 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 11,700 17,300 (USD 6450 9,667; EUR 4,737 7,100). 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. Progress in 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, however, be subject to income tax. Benefits SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170 2,625 per month. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; life insurance; and access to SPC s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution). Work environment SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office. Smoking is not permitted in the work place. Equal opportunity SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Islanders. Application procedure The closing date for applications is 23 February 2014 Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses and telephone numbers, for three referees. Apply online Please use SPC s online recruitment system at http://www.spc.int/job.html. Important note: prepare and save your curriculum vitae, response to key selection criteria and referee information as
Microsoft Word documents BEFORE attempting to submit your application online. It is not possible to partially complete your application via the online system, save it and return to complete it later. If you cannot access the online recruitment system, apply via email: recruit@spc.int; fax: + 687 26 38 18; or post to, Thibaut Torche, Head of Recruitment, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia. If you need assistance, contact SPC at recruit@spc.int or telephone + 687 26 20 00. Background SPC was established in 1947 and employs around 580 staff. Its headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia, with other offices in Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. SPC has 26 member countries and territories including its founding members, Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners are the European Union; Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; United Nations agencies; Asian Development Bank; World Bank; and Global Environment Facility, to name a few. Languages: SPC s working languages are English and French. Organisational structure: SPC is led by the Director-General supported by the senior management team, which includes three Deputy Directors-General and the Director of the Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility. Also contributing to SPC s executive management are the directors of the seven technical divisions (Applied Geoscience and Technology; Economic Development; Education, Training and Human Development; Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems; Land Resources; Public Health; and Statistics for Development); the directors of Finance and Human Resources; the Manager of the North Pacific Regional Office and the Coordinator of Solomon Islands Country Office.