Chief Economist
Job No:
79180
Location:
Honiara, Solomon Islands
- Help improve Pacific tuna fisheries in an environment where every day presents opportunities for outside-the-box thinking!
- Excellent salary package circa US$78,545 to US$90,562 plus a host of additional benefits!
- Make the ultimate sea change and live and work on the development edge!
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 at http://www.ffa.int/
About the Solomon Islands
The beautiful Solomon Islands lies to the northeast of Australia and are a vast archipelago of islands covering over 1,500 km in the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This tropical paradise is made up of numerous coral atolls with lush tropical vegetation, beautiful beaches and verdant seas.
The people of the Solomons are made up of Oceania’s three main cultural groups, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia, the Solomon Islands really is the Pacific’s melting pot. It is here, that these three cultures merge and cohabit as one nation, proud of their rich and unique cultural identity. Solomon Islanders have a rich cultural heritage commonly called kastom, which vary from one province to another. Communal, clan and family ties remain very strong.
About the Opportunity
FFA has an exciting opportunity for a Chief Economist to join their team in Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands, on a 3 year, fixed term contract with possibilities for extension.
Reporting to the Director of Fisheries Development, in this role you will provide leadership, technical oversight and guidance to the Economics Intelligence Unit, to provide high quality economic and financial analysis and advice on all aspects of the tuna fishery. You will have primary responsibility for the development, coordination and production of economic and financial analysis for FFA members.
Your key responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to:
- Overseeing the collection of data to support economic performance indicators for the Western and Central Pacific Tuna Fishery and other economic analysis of the fishery;
- Assessing the economic viability and economic benefits to FFA members of tuna fisheries development/domestication proposals of all types;
- Liaising and coordinating with the Tuna Development and Investment Facilitation Units to provide economic analysis in support of their work;
- Providing support and mentoring for the two Fisheries Economists on staff, as well as staff on attachment from member Fisheries Administrations; and
- Overseeing work of up to four staff in the Economic Intelligence unit and broader Division.
To be considered for this role you will possess:
- A degree and post-graduate qualifications in economics, AND/OR a fisheries subject with strong economics content (essential);
- Practical economics experience within an agricultural, fisheries or natural resource background (essential);
- Experience in the application of economics in fisheries management or development (desirable);
- Experience working in the Pacific Islands and/or other developing countries (desirable);
- Experience of regions with shared international fisheries resources (desirable).
FFA is looking for someone with demonstrated experience working with economic data and analytical skills, particularly in the provision of economic input and analysis in the formulation of fisheries management measures. With superior communications skills, both verbal and written, you will be comfortable in researching, preparing and presenting submissions to national and international forums, including the delivery of Fisheries economics publications in peer reviewed journals.
Importantly, you will be able to work in a culturally and disciplinary diverse team and will have high levels of respect for individual and cultural differences. Extensive travel is an essential part of this role, as you will be frequently visiting all member nations for periods of up to one month, and travel further afield may also be required from time to time.
Please note: All candidates are required to submit their answer to the selection criteria and attach as part of their application. To view the selection criteria click here. To view the full position description, click here.
About the Benefits
If you are looking to make the ultimate sea change, to take your career to the next level, and to find out more about life on the edge of Pacific development, this is the opportunity for you!
In exchange for your hard work and dedication, you will be rewarded with a highly attractive salary package circa US$78,545 to US$90,562, including COLDA and location allowance per annum. In addition to this, FFA staff recruited in internationally advertised posts (who are not Solomon Island citizens) are exempt from local income tax. (This applies to citizens of most countries with the exception of a few. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check with their national authorities if they are exempted.)
You will also have superannuation paid at 7.5% into either a nominated fund or as an additional cash supplement! FFA also 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 (Conditions apply).
Accommodation assistance is also available.
Additionally, relocation expenses will be paid, with an establishment grant paid on arrival in Honiara. Annual airfares back to country of repatriation will be provided, and a repatriation allowance of 2 weeks base salary on return to home-base at the end of contract. There is also a retention incentive of 21% of your base salary which will be paid on the completion of your three year contract.
You will also have access to 6 weeks of annual leave each year, giving you plenty of time to explore this stunning part of the world!
Don't miss this amazing opportunity to live and work in a tropical paradise while making an impact with this key NGO - Apply now!
Applications close 29July, 2016 at 11pm.