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 Human Rights and Social Development Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.

In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:

• Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
• Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
• Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
• Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.

The role – Human Rights and Social Development Adviser will co-manage the Pacific People Advancing Change (PPAC) Program, a CSO human rights and social development advocacy capacity building and small grants program; manage the CSO/ shadow reports for relevant United Nations human rights treaties and PICs Universal Periodic Review (UPR); and support the Team Leader with the work on the regional youth accountability mechanism.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Co-management of the PPAC Program

• Undertake regular project planning, prepare/ revise project annual work plans and budgets.
• Co-lead and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the PPAC program and the PPAC small grants phase transition processes.
• Co-lead the shortlisting, evaluation and granting process and take ownership of overall supervision of 1-2 PPAC countries.
• Provide technical assistance to the CSO grantees to implement and deliver on human rights, gender and social inclusion commitments.
• Identify the capacity building needs of the CSOs grantees.

Management of the alternative Human Rights treaty and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reporting program

• Demonstrate sound leadership in managing the CS0’s alternative human rights treaty reporting program.
• Liaise with CSO stakeholders within SPC countries to develop and deliver capacity building on specific alternative human rights treaty reporting’s and UPR requirements.
• Provide technical assistance to CSO stakeholders within SPC to draft specific alternative human rights treaty reports and the UPR reports as per the reporting guidelines provided by the relevant United Nation (UN) human rights treaty bodies and the Human Rights Council.
• Lead the day-to-day activities of the alternative Human Rights treaty and UPR reporting program.

Support the Team Leader with technical assistance to the regional youth accountability mechanism

• Conduct research and provide policy papers pertaining to the development of the Pacific regional youth accountability mechanism.
• Provide secretariat support to SPC-led-working groups, task forces and other technical committees to develop and implement the Youth accountability mechanism.
• Support the Team Leader in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building to officials of the Ministries of Youth to deliver on their commitments under the youth accountability mechanism.
• Prepare reports on the monitoring, evaluation and learning of the work around the youth accountability mechanism.

Project management and staff supervision

• Collaborate with the Country Focal Officers (CFOs), PPAC officers and other in-country staff to develop implement, monitor and report against project, programmes and activities work plans and budgets.
• Manage the leave approvals, management plans and performance appraisals of CFOs and PPAC officers as required.
• Collaborate with CFOs and in country focal points to develop, implement, monitor and report against CFOs’ work plans and budgets.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A postgraduate qualification in development, human rights, law, gender, international relations or other relevant social science from a recognised university.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of development experience working in the field of human rights, gender equality, CSO engagement and social inclusion, and/or youth development with at least 5 years of working in Pacific.
• Programming, developing, delivering, and reporting against work plans.

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 Human Rights and Social Development Adviser is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,211–11,513 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,831–4,789). 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.

Benefits 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 matching 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.