Social Scientist (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Description

Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. SPC is an international development organisation owned and governed by 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, SPC works across over 25 sectors and is known for knowledge and innovation in fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The role

Social Scientist (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) will provide social and demographic scientific and technical support and advice to governments, stakeholders and the private sector in planning and implementing value‑chain activities, focusing on the social and community aspects and implications in developing and managing livelihood activities.

Key Responsibilities of the Role

• Support PICTs to undertake the assessment of socio‑economic, cultural and demographic aspects of coastal fisheries and aquaculture to inform improvements in fisheries and aquaculture management and development.
• Provide advice to fisheries authorities and key partners to undertake socio‑economic, cultural and demographic research on coastal fisheries, fisheries management, including community‑based and their associated uses and markets. (Whenever relevant, this should be in collaboration with other key coastal fisheries and aquaculture staff such as the economic specialist, climate change specialist, CBFM and livelihoods specialists).
• Lead review and application of socio‑economic module in Ikasavea for improved data collection.
• Review existing fisheries monitoring schemes involving socio‑economic, cultural, market and creel surveys and assist with designing new schemes to monitor changing priorities (e.g. climate change vulnerability and resilience), particularly of regional interest.
• Identify value‑chain and livelihood opportunities and address barriers through targeted value‑chain activities.
• Assist with training of fisheries officers, fishers, CBFM practitioners and key partners to assess, monitor and report on socio‑economic and cultural aspects of fisheries, fisheries management and development.
• In coordination with relevant SPC staff and external partners, support the development and implementation of databases in support of data collection and monitoring systems for socio‑economic, cultural, demographic and market aspects of coastal fisheries at various levels required.
• Identify gaps in training and information needs, and conduct training of local staff in‑country or online in all areas of social science data collection, the use of databases and data analysis for specific coastal fisheries that are being monitored.

Collaboration with SPD’s GEDSI experts

• Assess social and demographic aspects including GESI and human rights dimensions of coastal and community fisheries and aquaculture to inform management.
• Support fishery characterisation studies on catch, effort and economic performance of specific coastal fisheries with emphasis on women, youth and disadvantaged people.
• Support the assessment of the roles of men, women, youth and minorities in coastal fisheries and associated value‑chains to identify gaps and provide advice to alleviate blockages.
• Undertake assessments of development opportunities, fisheries usage and consumption according to key social factors like gender, age, social status, etc.
• Support fisheries diversification, fair resource sharing and the promotion of fisher/value‑chain actors collectives, for example women’s groups.

Practical assistance to members

• In collaboration with the Fisheries Information Unit and other components of the PEUMP programme, develop materials such as training manuals, guidelines and other educational information.
• Provide input on social aspects to awareness raising and educational materials focused on livelihoods as well as community‑based fisheries management to ensure sustainability.
• Organise training or provide support in the delivery of relevant material during workshops, webinars and courses (online or face‑to‑face).
• In collaboration with CFAP team and other SPC divisions, manage the development of a course on socio‑economic methods, tailored to Pacific fisheries and natural resource management officers.

Promotion of internal and external inter‑agency networking

• Lead, promote and expand the Socio‑Economic Community of Practice (SECoP) for increased capacity building through learning and exchange opportunities.
• Advance the objectives of the Socio‑Economic Community of Practice Action Plan: increase collaboration, capacity, awareness of the importance of socio‑economics, and financial resources. Key actions include maintaining communications with members, operational meetings, feeding social media channels and curating the webpage.
• Maintain communications with SocMon global and contribute to the regional leadership, particularly through SECoP.
• Work with CROP agencies, PICT government staff, donor agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, CSOs, private sector and communities on socio‑economic issues relating to coastal fisheries management and development, encouraging collaborations, including through SECoP.
• Liaise and work closely with other component areas under the PEUMP programme and CFAP.
• Develop and promote collaborations with other Divisions within SPC on issues such as food systems, small‑scale livelihoods, climate change, national statistics, etc.

Section management, administration and communication

• Maintain up‑to‑date corporate and administrative procedures, including training data for all activities undertaken.
• Contribute where applicable to Programme, Divisional and Corporate publications.
• Produce reports for all activities undertaken in the appropriate format for the activity including technical reports and trip reports, and input to funding proposals, donor reports and updates to members during regional meetings.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree or equivalent experience in a social science, socio‑economics, or related development discipline or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years’ of direct experience relevant to social aspects of Pacific Island coastal and/or community fisheries.
• Demonstrated capability for collaborating and working in an institution with integrated programmes and involving colleagues from several different countries and cultures.
• Experience in establishing purposeful monitoring programmes, including household and socio‑economic, market and creel surveys, that also disaggregate gender and youth information.
• Experience designing studies, collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data, reporting results and drawing key recommendations.
• Understanding of current community‑based fisheries management approaches, gender issues and human rights‑based approaches, especially in the Pacific.
• Proven ability to design, plan and facilitate workshops and other trainings.
• Experience working with PC systems and MS Word, Excel, GIS, and PowerPoint software, and software programmes for data entry and management.

Language Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) in English, with the capacity to engage effectively with government, public and community audiences.

Interpersonal Skills And Cultural Awareness

• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to travel and undertake overseas assignments in SPC member countries, sometimes under difficult physical conditions.

Salary, terms and conditions

• Contract Duration – This contract is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
• Remuneration – Social Scientist (Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture) is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR 4,397-5,400 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 634,433-779,190 (USD 5,892-7,236; EUR 5,317-6,530). Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.
• Benefits – SPC provides housing support in Noumea, establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances 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 private policy.