Communications Assistant

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, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides effective expert scientific advice, capacity building and services on conservation, development and utilization of plant genetic resources, forest and landscape management, resilient agricultural systems, diversification of livelihood strategies and access to markets to maintain ecosystem services and improve land productivity and the food, nutrition security and resilience of Pacific communities. LRD has expertise in genetic resource conservation, resilient agriculture, biosecurity, pest and disease management, agricultural extension, plant pathology, entomology and animal health. It collaborates with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to pinpoint the needs and priorities of Pacific countries and communities and provide technical expertise to address them. This mission is realized through four main thematic work areas, or pillars, and a progressively integrated approach to programming that works towards achieving SPC’s development goals.

The role – Communications Assistant willassist in the effective and efficient facilitation of information, knowledge products and services for Agriculture Systems Programme Pacific Organic Learning Farmers Network (POLFN) and the Natural Resource Management Programme, bringing visibility to projects. The role contributes to coordinating and facilitating the development and implementation of LRD’s Communications Strategy and developing information and communication tools for POLFN and LRD.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Maintaining POLFN visibility

• Implement programme/projects, communication strategies and plans are effectively.
• Maintain social media presence including Facebook page and Twitter and audience growth.
• Ensure the website is kept relevant and functional including development and regular updates, especially for projects and POETCom events.
• Develop a regular stream of brief project stories and photos to help highlight projects across all participating countries.
• Draft press releases in accordance with donor and SPC requirements.
• Share and promote communications between key partners.
• Support graphics needs of the projects.

Building stakeholder relations

• Maintain and manage membership distribution lists, database, profiles, annual updates and new membership applications.
• Answer social media queries.
• Provide support for POLFN and BPWP meetings and events.

Management of information & learning products

• Knowledge products including both print and audio visual are shared, developed and socialized, including annual reports, technical reports, meeting reports, awareness and communication materials, fact and information sheets, how to guides, success/impact stories and other key projects/POLFN outputs.
• Maintain and improve internal systems to manage information and learning materials.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Diploma in a relevant field such as communications, media, journalism or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 4 years of work experience in communications, media or journalism.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 June 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance**.**

Remuneration – The Communications Assistant is a band 7 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a commencing taxable salary range of FJD 2,402-3,002 per month, plus local staff benefits. 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.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised locally (EPAL) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides medical and life insurance for eligible employees only. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, prorated on contract length, 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 employerand 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.

How to apply

Application procedure

Closing Date: 14 October at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000132

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

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.

Only Fijian citizens are eligible to apply for this role.

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. Your role will involve the creation, dissemination and tracking of social media content. How in the past have you managed social media planning and scheduling, including collating and using social media analytics to continuously improve reach and engagement.
2. Please provide your experience in researching and writing feature stories, news stories or human-interest stories that have been published for a diverse audience, including for media, donors or the general public.
3. Provide an example of a piece of multimedia content that you are most proud of and explain what your role was in developing, publishing or completing this piece of work?

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