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Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

Director - Fisheries Operations

Job No: 104277
Location: Honiara

  • Are you an experienced and driven Fisheries professional with a background in Monitoring Control and Surveillance? 
  • This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a Director level position at the cutting edge of intergovernmental Fisheries Operations in the Pacific!
  • Excellent salary package starting from US$100,000 up (tax-free, for citizens for most countries!), including COLDA and Location Allowance PLUS a host of other benefits
  • Make the ultimate sea change and take your career to the next level
  • Applications close Friday 23rd November 2018 at 07:00PM AEST

About the Organisation

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is an intergovernmental organisation working to strengthen national capacity and regional solidarity so Pacific nations can manage, control, and develop their tuna fisheries now and in the future.

Based in Honiara, Solomon Islands, FFA's 17 member nations are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

FFA was established in 1979 to help countries sustainably manage the fishery resources within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA is an advisory body providing expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make sovereign decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management through bodies such as the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

Since 1979, FFA has facilitated regional cooperation so that all Pacific countries benefit from the sustainable use of tuna – worth over USD $3 billion a year, and important for livelihoods throughout the Pacific.

For more information about the FFA please visit their website here.

About the Opportunity

FFA is now looking for a driven and autonomous Director - Fisheries Operations to join their team in Honiara, in the Solomon Islands, on a full-time basis. Please note: this is a 6-year role, with an initial contract of employment of 3 years and possible renewal for a further 3 years.

Reporting to the Director-General and Deputy Director-General, leading a team of up to 30 Staff including Senior Management of the Fisheries Operations Division (FOD), you will primarily be responsible for leading and managing the work of the FOD to effectively reduce and eliminate illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing in the region through rigorous Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and associated Information Technology (IT).

Your focus will also extend to the operational aspects of the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC) located at FFA Headquarters in Honiara. The RFSC manages the surveillance program of foreign fishing fleets in the region, coordinating maritime and air surveillance services for FFA member countries, based on regional risk assessments and responding to nationally-determined surveillance tasking.

Some of your key responsibilities will include (but not be limited to):

  • Developing MCS policies and programs that are highly relevant to identified regional needs and consistently deliver best-practice outcomes against MCS Framework benchmarks;
  • Providing robust and inscrutable policy and technical advice on matters regarding technical responsibility that enhances FFA's reputation as the leading provider of regional MCS services and advice;
  • Leading and contributing to Divisional and agency-wide processes and teams, including those focused on MCS and IT;
  • Effectively utilising and managing FOD budgets in order to achieve strong outcomes within the Key Results areas of the Division's annual work programs; 
  • Forging strong teamwork and management relationships with key Divisional staff, including close engagement with senior staff of the RFSC; and
  • Ensuring the relevance and integration of the overall work of FOD with the broader Fisheries Management, Development and Corporate objectives of the organisation. 

The full position description can be downloaded here.

About You

To be considered for this role you must hold a tertiary degree in a relevant field, alongside a minimum of 8 years proven experience in the area of MCS and/or compliance policy as they relate to fisheries, including 3 years as a Manager.

The successful candidate will be an open, consultative and collaborative leader with proven experience in strategically managing people and programs, with the capacity to engage with Senior Management in order to drive the strategic direction and performance of the agency. Your well-developed communication and negotiation skills will crucial to your success in effectively managing cross-cultural boundaries and engaging with international stakeholders.

Your big-picture focus and ability to tackle challenges head-on will enable you to align a wide range of different functions that FFA oversees and provides in order to keep the Agency heading in the right direction. Ideally, you will possess significant experience in managing complex administration programs related to natural resource management, alongside the management and delivery of sophisticated technology solutions in a challenging environment. 

While not mandatory, experience in or knowledge of the tuna fisheries in the Pacific and the current challenges in tackling by IUU fishing will be highly regarded. If you do not possess this experience you will need quickly obtain an understanding of existing frameworks.

Please note: This role involves frequent travel within the region for extended periods of time - if you wish to be considered you must be willing and able to undertake such travel.

About the Benefits

If you are looking to make the ultimate sea change and find out more about life on the cutting edge of international MCS cooperation and Pacific development, then this is the opportunity for you!

You’ll be offered a competitive, tax-free remuneration package starting from $US100,000 upwards, commensurate with your skills and experience, that includes Cost of Living Differential Allowance, Location Allowance and Superannuation.

Your superannuation of 7.5% can be paid into either a nominated fund or as an additional cash supplement. FFA reimburses all reasonable medical, dental, and optical expenses for yourself and dependents. Insurance coverage is also provided for personal accident, life, medical & repatriation.

Education for dependent children will be reimbursed at 75% of tuition fees (Conditions apply). If your dependent child is educated overseas, paid school travel may be available for you or your child to visit each other once a year. 

Accommodation assistance is also available.

Additionally, relocation expenses will be paid, with an establishment grant paid on arrival in Honiara.  Annual airfares back to the country of repatriation will be provided, and a repatriation allowance of 2 weeks’ base salary on return to home-base at the end of the contract. There is also a retention incentive of 21% of your base salary which will be paid on the completion of your primary three-year contract.

On top of all this, you will have access to 6 weeks of annual leave each year, giving you plenty of time to explore this stunning part of the world!

To apply for this role, please complete the questions below and attach your resume.

Applications close Friday, 23rd November 2018 at 07:00 PM AEST

This is a fantastic opportunity to be directly engaged at the cutting edge of intergovernmental Fisheries Security in the Pacific- Apply Now!

 

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