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Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

Market Access Adviser

Job No: 117629
Location: Honiara

  • Facilitate valuable fisheries market access and join an EU funded economic, social and environmental programme!
  • Important opportunity to directly engage with an intergovernmental initiative geared towards fostering stronger economic integration in the Pacific and beyond!
  • Excellent salary negotiable from US$89,292.00 (tax-free, for citizens of most countries) PLUS a huge range of benefits!
  • Make the ultimate sea change and help support the Pacific Island Community!

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 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 many people’s livelihoods in the Pacific.

For more information about The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency please visit their website here.

About the Pacific-EU Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme

The Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme addresses some of the most serious challenges faced by Pacific countries. Among these are the increasing depletion of coastal fisheries resources; the threats to marine biodiversity, including negative impacts of climate change and disasters; the uneven contribution of oceanic fisheries to national economic development; the need for improved education and training; and the need to mainstream a rights-based approach and to promote greater recognition of gender issues to ensure inclusiveness and positive changes for Pacific island people.

The five-year PEUMP programme is funded by the European Union (EUR 35 million) and the government of Sweden (EUR 10 million). It is implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC), the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) in close collaboration with Non-Government Organisations and the national authorities.

About the Opportunity

FFA is now looking for a full-time Market Access Adviser to join their team in Honiara, in the Solomon Islands on a 24-month fixed term contract, with possibility for renewal pending performance appraisals and availability of funding.

Reporting to the Market Access Specialist and PEUMP Fisheries Policy Team Leader, the successful applicant will be primarily responsible for facilitating the development of the Market Access Framework and Competent Authorities of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI)

The day-to-day duties will include (but will not be limited to):

  • Supporting member countries in their efforts to secure/maintain EU market access for fisheries products in compliance with overseas market requirements, particularly in regards to sanitary standards, including the development of land laws, reviewing of documents and provision of technical advice;
  • Assisting in the delivery of training programs for relevant government and industry personnel and building stakeholder capacity;
  • Supporting the establishment of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Competent Authorities in the FSM and RMI, in close collaboration with staff appointed to their Competent Authorities;
  • Meeting project administration and reporting requirements, including identifying training needs, organising training/workshops, preparing regular reports to the PEUMP team leader and documenting all expenditure; and
  • Supporting other Pacific Island countries where required.

To view the full position description, please click here.

Please Note: Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate will be required to travel and work in both the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

About You

To be successful in this role, you must have at minimum a graduate qualification in food science or an equivalent field along with 3 years' experience working in the Competent Authority (CA) of a country that exports fisheries products to overseas markets, particularly in the EU.

While not essential, any relevant work undertaken with an FFA member country/countries or regional bodies will be highly regarded.

Experienced in CA development and system operations, you will be confident in your ability to work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to build capacity and develop appropriate plans and schedules in order the progress the market access goals of the FSM and RMI.

You will be familiar with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements and export certification issues, and have an understanding of EU systems and processes, particularly in regards to their SPS market access requirements.

As an experienced project manager, you must be capable of handling and scheduling activities, planning and meeting tight deadlines, and maintaining financial accountability.

Critical to the FFA's success, you will also have demonstrated experience negotiating outcomes and developing strong relationships across diverse cultures, with an ability to manage conflict to establish productive working relationships.

Most importantly, FFA is looking for a dedicated professional able to navigate the complex international frameworks that the FFA operates within and the PEUMP programme is governed by, while diligently maintaining relationships with all stakeholders through effective verbal and written communication channels.  

About the Benefits

If you are looking to make the ultimate sea change and experience life on the leading edge of Pacific development, this is the opportunity for you!

On offer for the successful candidate is a salary commencing from US$89,292.00 (with Base salary, basic allowances and Superannuation), tax free for citizens of most countries and negotiable up to US$104,567.00, depending on proven experience and qualifications.

You will also have superannuation paid at 7.5% into either a nominated fund or as an additional cash supplement. FFA reimburses all reasonable medical, dental, and optical expenses for yourself and dependants. 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 14% of your base salary which will be paid on the completion of your 24-month 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!

 

For an opportunity to be directly engaged in an intergovernmental programme building economic, social, and environmental capacity in Pacific countries - Apply Now!

Applications close 6pm (AEST), Monday 13th July, 2020

 

Apply Now

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