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Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

Market Access Adviser

Job No: 79184
Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands

  • Fantastic opportunity for ongoing career progression within an established intergovernmental organisation!
  • Excellent salary package (tax free!) including COLDA and Location Allowance PLUS a host of other benefits!
  • Make the ultimate sea change and take your career to the next level!

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 here.

About the Opportunity

FFA is now looking for a Market Access Advisor to join their team in Honiara, in the Solomon Islands, on a full-time basis.

Reporting to the Director of Development, this newly created position is responsible for supporting member countries in their efforts to secure and maintain market access for fisheries products and comply with the requirements of importing states.

Some of your key result areas will include:

  • Assisting member countries in meeting market access requirements;
  • Establishing and managing a Regional Competent Authority Support (RECAS) Unit;
  • Maintaining networks and relationships; and
  • Performing administration and reporting tasks.

This role is unique in the sense that your responsibilities will progress over time. After a year or two of effective performance, this position will transition into a leadership role, responsible for establishing a Regional Competent Authority Support (RECAS) unit, and undertaking delegated functions of national CAs for inspection and sampling of fisheries product exports for the European market.

Please Note: This role requires regular travel. Initially you will be based in the Solomon Islands, however upon development of the RECAS unit you will be based in another location with a major transshipment port. As such, FFA is looking for someone who is enthusiastic about the opportunity to work in various locations.

About You

The ideal candidate will hold a graduate qualification in Food Science or a closely related field, along with demonstrated experience working in a responsible position in the Competent Authority of a country that exports fisheries products to the European and other markets. Thorough familiarity with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and export certification issues will be required.

As this role will involve leading a small, self-contained technical unit, it's important you have experience in this area, including financial accountability and supervision of one or more staff. Additionally, excellent interpersonal skills will see you effectively liaising, negotiating and building strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Importantly, an understanding of technical barriers to trade in a developing country context will be essential to your success.

Although not essential, the following would be highly regarded:

  • Experience with basic legal drafting (agreements and MoUs) and the ability to interpret European legislation
  • Prior experience working in the Pacific and / or a developing country situation
  • Knowledge of oceanic pelagic fisheries, with emphasis on tuna and knowledge of private sector activities in the tuna fishery
  • Knowledge and experience with Pacific regional food testing facilities and services

About the Benefits

If you are looking to make the ultimate sea change and find out more about life on the edge of Pacific development, this is the opportunity for you!

You’ll be offered a competitive, tax free remuneration package, commensurate with your skills and experience.

You will also have superannuation paid at 7.5% into either a nominated fund or as an additional cash supplement. FFA 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. 

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.

On top of all this, you will have access to 6 weeks of annual leave each year, giving you plenty of time to explore this stunning part of the world!

Applications close 6th January, 2017 at 11pm AEST.

To apply for this role, please complete the questions below and attach your resume.

The full position description can be downloaded here.

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