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, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Human Rights and Social Development Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.  

In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:

• Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
• Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
• Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
• Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.

The role - Culture Adviser will provide technical assistance, advisory support and programme management for the SPC’s Culture for Development programme. The Adviser will develop project proposals and design documents and coordinate Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) projects including the provision of targeted support for the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC).

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Programme Management  

• Coordinates Secretariat activities relating to the strengthening of and delivery of the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) - including planning, implementation and monitoring, problem solving, managing budget execution, donor contract compliance, and donor narrative and financial reporting.
• Provides technical assistance and support to FestPAC host and participant countries.
• Coordinates and communicates across project partners to ensure effective communication and management of any project-related issues that may arise.
• Deliver workshops, scoping activities, visibility actions as planned and within budget.
• Maintain active and regular communication with grantees, country representatives, consultants, stakeholders, partners, media outlets, vendors etc, with assistance from the Team Leader - Culture for Development.

Technical Assistance and support on Culture and the Cultural and Creative Industries, and coordination around People Centred Approach and Culture for Development  

• Support the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTS) governments and civil societies to implement and deliver on culture and cultural and creative industry commitments.
• Conduct research, legal and policy analysis on key and emerging regional issues in line with PICTs priorities and commitments relating to Culture.
• Engage in national, regional and international fora, mechanisms and processes for the purpose of integrating cultural perspectives in policies and programmes.
• Support integrated programming and mainstreaming of culture as part of People-centred approaches to development at SPC.
• Work with other Advisers and to develop ideas and concepts for the advancement of Culture, Human Rights/ Indigenous & Cultural Rights and GEDSI in the region.
• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning for projects, programmes and activities.

Project Design and Proposals  

• Contribute to the development of new culture and cultural and creative industries and culture for development programmes within HRSD including designing contextual and culturally relevant project methodologies.
• Foster partnerships with existing and potential funders and proposal writing and submission.

Support stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination  

• Support stakeholder engagement, networking and coordination to advance divisional objectives at national, regional and institutional levels.
• Engage in working groups, task forces and other technical committees.
• Represent SPC at national, regional and international forums as delegated by the Team Leader and Director.

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

Key selection criteria 

Qualifications  

• A post graduate qualification in a relevant discipline such as cultural management, cultural and creative industries, arts management, tourism, social science, anthropology, sociology, history, development or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
• Diploma or Certificate course in project cycle management, or equivalent years of project management experience, and active engagement in the Pacific Culture and Arts Sectors and Cultural and Creative Industries, working with cultural producers, artists and national agencies.  

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of working experience in the culture sector, cultural industries, and/or culture and development field with project management experience in the Pacific Islands
• At least 3 – 5 years of arts/ culture festival experience working with Pacific and/ or indigenous communities
• Demonstrated knowledge of key issues, measures and developments in the field of cultural industries and culture more generally
• Proven expertise in engaging with international and regional frameworks and cultural projects
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of culture programmes, projects and policies, including working at government and non-government level, with practitioners, managers and producers
• Demonstrated research, analytical and writing skills and ability to work across sectors
• Sound knowledge of culture and development issues in the Pacific Islands region
• Proven ability to develop and sustain professional partnerships, including working with governments, civil society and development partners

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 – Until 31 December 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration – The Culture Adviser is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,750–9,687 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,154–3,942). 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 are not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available 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 Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 15 June 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000882

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. Briefly, summarise your experience collaborating with Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) to support and promote cultural development, including any relevant programmes, partnerships, or policy initiatives.
2. In your view, what are the two key priorities and challenges facing the development of cultural and creative industries in the Pacific, and how might these be addressed through regional collaboration or policy support?
3. How does the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FESTPAC) contribute to promoting sustainable development in the Pacific?

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