Communications Adviser - Pacific Women Lead

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 (HRSD) 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 – Communications Adviser – Pacific Women Leadwill oversee the coordination and implementation of strategic communications, engagement and outreach plans for the programme. This role also coordinates visibility communications through the development of high-quality, multi-media communication and media products for a wide range of stakeholders. As the role may require working across the objectives of other HRSD work programmes and broader SPC delivery, the role will have matrix reporting and working relationships with others in the Division.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Visibility communications and strategic communications

• Develop and implement communication workplans and strategies including monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) for SPC’s gender equality flagship and outcome area, complementing DFAT’s gender equality Communications Strategy for SPC’s GE flagship.
• Manage and monitor the delivery of the workplans by leading the development of high quality, innovative and engaging programme communications and knowledge products to meet the needs of the PWL programme.
• Ensure appropriate visibility of the gender equality outcome area by working with partners and the media, and by producing quality media statements, stories, Op Eds, publications and other resources that are promoted publicly.
• Identify opportunities to engage and promote the gender equality outcome area for SPC HRSD and the GE flagship to existing and new audiences through different platforms and networks including senior level partners such as ministerial and diplomatic staff.

Communications for development design, outreach and engagement and knowledge management

• Develop targeted and well-planned engagement and outreach strategic approaches to engage key partners, SPC member countries’ government and NGO stakeholders, and grantees.
• Ensure SPC staff are able to effectively represent and relay the role SPC plays in the region, supporting key engagement and outreach initiatives that drive better member – and public - engagement and understanding of SPC’s work.
• Oversee communications reporting for organizational, donor and other reports.
• Work with MEL to ensure the high-quality presentation and content of reports resulting in donor satisfaction, and to contribute to ongoing resource mobilisation.

People management and capacity building

• Manage and report on delivery of SPC’s gender equality communication plans and related activities.
• Manage the leave approvals, management plans and performance appraisals of team.
• Conduct inward facing communication training for SPC HRSD team. Where practical, extend communications training to external partners including grantees and funded activities.

One-SPC approach and integrated approaches to gender equality communications across SPC.

• Participate in the One-SPC Gender Equality Flagship meetings and roundtable events contributing technical advice for strategic communications, while also supporting with visibility communications such as social media coverage of events.
• Co-lead the SPC Communications coordination for the PPA convening: the Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and the Pacific Ministers for Women Meeting.
• Participate in the monthly One-SPC core communications group meetings, monthly story group meetings and training organised by Corporate Communications throughout the year.
• Ensure all programmatic and divisional communications content meets brand guidelines, as well as content co-developed with partners (for projects led by SPC).

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A post graduate qualification in a relevant field such as journalism, communications, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of strategic communications and visibility-related experience, preferably in the Pacific region.
• Experience managing the development and design of print, online and all multi-media communications materials for a range of audiences, to tight deadlines. Examples to be provided.
• Ability to translate text-heavy documents or information into user-friendly visual materials.
• Excellent interpersonal and representational skills with experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of different individuals and organisations.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of Pacific cultural values, gender equality concepts and issues, human rights, good governance and development challenges in the region.

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 –This position is funded until 31 December 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Communications Adviser – Pacific Women Lead is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,703‒3,379 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,354–10,442 (USD 3,623-4,528; EUR 3,269-4,086). 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. 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 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 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.