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Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

Manager, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)

Job No: 79181
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 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 Manager, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), 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 Operations, in this role you will manage the operations of the FFA VMS, FFA Vessel Register, and the resources available to FFA to drive improvements to the VMS and Vessel Register services made available to FFA members and other clients. 

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • Contributing to Fisheries Operations services and provide advice (in conjunction with the VMS team) to FFA Executive Management on effective utilization of the Agency’s VMS and Vessel Register resources to support core activities for the FFA Members and the FFA Secretariat;
  • Maintaining strategic vision for the operation and usefulness of VMS, especially in light of changing priorities and emerging technologies;
  • Contributing to FFA Corporate planning process, Budget process, Capability planning process for the Division and Annual Work Programs and Budget (AWPB);
  • Contributing to FFA strategic planning and reporting framework and key strategic and operational planning documents such as the Strategic Plan, Statement of Intent and Annual Report;
  • Managing the current Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the provision of WCPFC VMS and support services; and
  • Managing the operations and resources associated with the FFA VMS and the Vessel Register, including 5 direct reports.

To be considered for this role you will possess a degree and post-graduate qualifications in fisheries or a related field and/or in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), as well as academic maritime MCS training. You will have extensive, demonstrated experience in managing a fisheries compliance and fishing vessel registration program, as well as proven project and contract management experience. Any prior experience in the Pacific and/or developing nations is highly desired, but not mandatory for your success. 

As you will have five direct reports, the ability to lead, manage and engage a team is essential, as is highly developed written and verbal communication skills, which will enable you to effectively liaise with FFA members, clients, FFA staffs Service Providers and contractors to develop, test and implement new services.

FFA is looking for someone with demonstrated working experience in a Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) environment with direct experience in operating maritime VMS. You will be proficient in Windows, UNIX and networked environments and have strong skills in the use of GIS applications. 

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, 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.

To apply for this role, please complete the questions below and attach both a document with your responses to the selection criteria form and your resume. (note that your application will not be considered unless both are attached).

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