Crisis Management Advisor

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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

Role

The Crisis Management Advisor will strengthen SPC’s organisational preparedness, response capability and learning in relation to crises and disruptive events and is prepared for a variety of crisis situations. These can include disasters, pandemics, and civil or political unrest. The role leads the development and implementation of SPC’s crisis management and coordinates preparedness and response activities across SPC offices including contributing to organisational business continuity efforts and transformation programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the development, maintenance, testing, and continuous improvement of SPC’s organisation‑wide crisis management framework, ensuring alignment with the Risk Management Framework, security arrangements, and business continuity planning.
• Establish and maintain clear crisis escalation pathways, roles, decision authorities, and communication protocols consistent with SPC’s risk governance arrangements.
• Coordinate and support Crisis Management Teams (CMTs) through preparedness tools, rosters, playbooks, and guidance, acting as an advisor and coordinator rather than the executive lead during crises.
• Provide strategic and technical advice on security and crisis events with appropriate mitigation measures and response planning through live monitoring and reporting.
• Support the development, update, and testing of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), ensuring a consistent and risk‑informed approach across SPC.
• Support the coordination of business continuity readiness activities and exercises, tracking maturity, coverage, and follow‑up actions across the organisation.
• Ensure business continuity arrangements are informed by organisational and divisional risk assessments, without assuming executive ownership of BCPs.
• Contribute crisis‑related risk insights, emerging issues, and incident learnings to SPC’s organisational risk processes, including inputs to the risk register where relevant.
• Provide crisis management and preparedness updates to risk governance forums such as SROC and CRGA as required, supporting effective oversight and decision‑making.
• Support ongoing relationships with embassies, consulates, government agencies, NGOs and partners for coordinated crisis response where appropriate.
• Coordinate after‑action reviews following crises or significant disruptions, ensuring lessons learned are documented, tracked, and actioned.
• Embed learning into crisis management, business continuity, and risk management practices, supporting organisational learning across divisions.
• Design and coordinate crisis management and business continuity training, simulations, and exercises in collaboration with HR, security, and risk functions.
• Advise managers, directors, and risk champions on crisis preparedness and risk‑based decision making in high‑uncertainty contexts.
• Promote a consistent organisational narrative on crisis readiness, proportionality, and stewardship, aligned with SPC values.
• Provide crisis management leadership and operational coherence.

Key Selection Criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Emergency Management, Security/Risk Management, or a related field, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical Expertise

• At least 10 years of professional demonstrated experience, including 5 years at a senior advisory or coordination level in emergency management or organisational resilience.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis management, security, business continuity, and/or enterprise risk management in complex or multi‑country organisations.
• Strong understanding of governance, escalation, and accountability in high‑risk or crisis environments.
• Experience supporting (rather than owning) executive‑level decision making during incidents or crises.
• Proven experience conducting risk assessments, business impact analyses, scenario planning or organisational readiness reviews.
• Proven track record in multi‑stakeholder engagement, including government agencies, international organisations, and NGOs.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English and French.

Interpersonal Skills and Cultural Awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, Terms and Conditions

• Contract duration: 3 years with renewal depending on funding and performance.
• Remuneration: Band 11 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale. For Noumea: SDR 4,397‑5,400 per month; for Suva: SDR 3,245‑4,057 per month.
• Benefits: Housing allowance or subsidised housing (Noumea); establishment and repatriation grant; removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances; education allowances for eligible employees and dependents; 25 working days of annual leave; Provident Fund (8% employee contribution, 10% SPC contribution).

Recruitment Principles

• SPC is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to cultural and gender diversity. Preference will be given to Pacific Islander candidates when interview panels select candidates as equal.