Job Description

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are four (4) areas of scientific programming within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.
4. Earth and Ocean Observation Services – Promoting spatial data and systems analysis and capacity to improve decision-making to improve resilience and sustainable resource management.

The role – Team Leader – Strategic Communications and Engagement is a senior position responsible for shaping how the GEM Division communicates its work, translates evidence into influence, and engages strategically with members, donors, partners and the broader Pacific community. The role serves as a primary adviser to the GEM Division Director on strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and knowledge management, while ensuring divisional compliance with SPC corporate communications standards and the One SPC approach under a co-planning arrangement with the Director SCOE.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Corporate Communications Coordination and One SPC Compliance

• Participating in all monthly core communications group meetings, monthly story group meetings and training organised by Corporate Communications throughout the year, or ensuring a divisional representative is assigned when participation is not possible.
• Ensuring all divisional communications content (media releases, blogs, stories, multimedia and social media) meets corporate guidelines for structure, style, content, messaging and branding.
• Ensuring content co-developed with partners for SPC-led projects meets corporate branding guidelines, and that jointly released material has been cleared for content and logo use with relevant partners.
• Leading coordination on key SPC celebrated days specific to GEM Division in an inclusive and One SPC manner.

Crisis Communications, Emergency Response

• Working with and supporting the SCOE team in crisis communications, actively participating in SPC-wide crisis communications coordination calls and team meetings, and contributing GEM's technical expertise and strategic communications capability to the organisation's integrated crisis response.
• Contributing to SPC's post-disaster support as the divisional communications lead, working within the governance structure established by SPC's Post-Disaster Support Framework, including coordination with the Disaster Response Coordination Team (DRCT) and Disaster Response Coordinator (DRC).
• Applying strategic communications skillset to contribute to organisation-wide crisis messaging, ensuring GEM's scientific and technical perspectives are accurately represented in corporate crisis communications while maintaining alignment with SCOE direction.
• Developing, maintaining and regularly testing a GEM Division crisis communications protocol that aligns with SPC's corporate crisis communications framework and SCOE coordination mechanisms, ensuring seamless integration during activations.

Strategic Communications and Science-to-Action Translation

• Leading the development and implementation of a divisional strategic communications plan aligned with the GEM Business Plan, SPC Strategic Plan and corporate communications standards.
• Working closely with the Team Leader – PMEL and Adaptive Management to translate technical findings, evidence and learning into clear, audience-specific communications products (briefs, stories, infographics, presentations, videos).
• Drafting and coordinating briefing materials, talking points, speeches, background notes and communications products to support the Director's high-level engagements, missions, meetings and representations with members, donors, partners and regional forums.
• Developing innovative approaches to communicate scientific and technical information to diverse audiences including members, donors, media, communities and regional stakeholders.

Knowledge Management and Information Systems

• Leading the development and maintenance of the GEM divisional website and digital platforms in line with corporate standards and user needs.
• Developing and implementing knowledge management systems, including taxonomies, repositories and workflows for capturing, organising and sharing organisational knowledge.
• Coordinating the production and quality assurance of publications, reports and information products across the division.
• Advising on effective data visualization and narrative reporting approaches to support increased understanding of GEM's work and impact.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Developing and implementing targeted engagement strategies for member countries, ensuring GEM's communications and products meet member needs and priorities.
• Coordinating communications support for donor engagement, including development of donor briefs, reports and visibility materials in partnership with the Manager PPLI.
• Supporting CROP coordination and engagement, including input into relevant CROP reporting, briefs and communications.
• Coordinating communications and engagement for regional meetings and events convened or attended by GEM, including media engagement and event communications.

People Leadership, Team Management and Capacity Development

• Providing clear direction, work planning, feedback and performance management for 3-5 direct reports.
• Providing matrix leadership and technical guidance to project-based Communications Advisers to ensure coherence with divisional and corporate communications standards and strategies.
• Maintaining clear arrangements with the DWRP Deputy Director for functional leadership of DWRP communications staff during crisis activations, including pre-agreed protocols, communication channels, and handover procedures.

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

Key selection criteria

  Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field such as strategic communications, media, journalism, governance, politics, public relations, international development or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

  Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of relevant experience at national or international level in strategic communications, public relations, media or advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis communications and/or emergency public information, including experience coordinating communications during high-pressure, time-sensitive situations.
• Experience working as part of multi-disciplinary crisis response teams and contributing to coordinated crisis communications efforts across organisational units.
• Demonstrated leadership ability in a regional or multi-country coordination role, including experience managing and mentoring staff.

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 – This position is funded for 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Team Leader – Strategic Communications and Engagement is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,245‒4,057 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,028–12,535 (USD 4,349–5,436; EUR 3,924–4,905). 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. Relocation airfares, excess luggage, health and life and disability insurances are available for employees. 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 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.

Application procedure

  Closing Date: 31 May 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000193

Applicants must apply online at

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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. Describe a time when you led the development of a communication product that translated complex technical, scientific or policy information for a senior, non-specialist audience. What was the issue, who was the audience, what writing or editorial choices did you make, and how did the product influence understanding, decisions or engagement?
2. Describe your experience working with Pacific Island countries and territories, regional organisations, governments, donors, communities or development partners. If your experience is from another context, explain what you believe is transferable to the Pacific, what may not translate well, and how you would adapt your communications leadership approach.
3. Imagine the SPC GEM Division is supporting a Pacific member country during a fast-evolving disaster or energy disruption. Information is incomplete, technical teams are still validating details, and senior leadership needs briefing points for external engagement. How would you lead communications coordination over the first 24–48 hours, including priorities, clearance, messaging, internal coordination and risks to avoid?

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