International Partnerships and Business Development Officer
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, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The Partnerships, Integration and Resource Mobilisation Office (PIRMO) leads SPC’s strategic partnerships, drives business development in support of SPC’s Strategic Plan 2022-2031, and contributes to SPC’s development effectiveness by championing an integrated approach to the way we work.
The International Partnerships and Business Development Officer will play a key role in supporting SPC’s strategic resource mobilisation and partnership development efforts. Working within PIRMO and in collaboration with SPC divisions and flagships. This role contributes to securing sustainable funding, enhancing and monitoring donor engagement on various finance instruments, and supporting the development of strategic partnerships. The officer will help embed UBPP within the pilot period and play a key role in the Blue Finance Mobilisation function. They will ensure consistent, high-quality engagement with key donors and partners, and support divisional efforts to align with SPC’s strategic goals and funding priorities.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships:
- Help identify and track funding opportunities aligned with SPC’s strategic goals and its flagships, more specifically the Climate change flagship and Climate finance for ocean climate nexus.
- Ensure alignment with divisional requirements, business plans and flagships supporting integrated and cross-sectoral programming.
- Assist in preparing documents and research to support funding proposals, in particular for blue economy initiatives
- Use tools and templates to support fundraising and programme development.
- Keep the funding pipeline updated and aligned with members’ needs.
- Support monitoring and coordination of new funding opportunities across SPC including a range of funding instruments and modalities.
- Help draft and format proposals and grant agreements.
- Maintain records of partnerships and engagement activities.
- Support development and implementation of the GEF-funded proposal and complementary financing pathways for Component 3, including engagement with bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic and private-sector partners
Integration, Engagement and UBPP Support:
- Collaborate on and quality assure UBPP knowledge products for alignment with donors, SPC and members requirements.
- Help coordinate meeting and event planning and arrangements including UBPP informal working group, virtual donor roundtable and sub-regional missions.
- Collect and organise information to support integrated planning.
- Assist in linking partnership activities to UBPP process ensuring knowledge management of UBPP programme including the funding and engagement data is accurate and accessible.
- Maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders, including government counterparts, donors, and civil society.
Communication and stakeholder engagement:
- Align tasks with the Resource Mobilisation Strategy, SPC Strategic Plan and climate change flagship.
- Help coordinate member country engagement activities.
- Collect and organise information to support integrated planning.
- Assist in linking partnership activities to the UBPP process and SPC’s flagships.
- Ensure funding and engagement data is accurate and accessible.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria:
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in political or social sciences, business management, law, international relations, environmental management or a related field, is required or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
Technical expertise:
- A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in a project management, policy development or related role.
- Good knowledge and understanding of project design, technical cooperation, resource mobilisation and stakeholder engagement.
- Demonstrated experience in climate change, biodiversity or conservation policy development.
- Experience in managing project budgets, procurement and consultant contracts.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Good research and analytical skills.
- Able to apply sound judgement in the context of assignments given.
- Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel).
- Ability to work self-sufficiently and self-motivate.
Language skills:
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness:
- Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.
Salary, terms and conditions:
Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until 18 November 2029 and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration – The International Partnerships and Business Development Officer is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale.
For a Noumea based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,350-4,092 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 483,424-590,374 (USD 4,489-5,483; EUR 4,051-4,947). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.
For a Suva based position – a starting salary range of 2,399?2,998 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,412–9,265 (USD 3,214–4,018; EUR 2,900–3,625). Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.
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.
Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea or Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance (or subsidised housing in Noumea). 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.
How to apply:
Application procedure:
Closing date: 6 December 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: CR000637
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.
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):
- Describe a project or initiative where you supported the mobilisation of funding or partnerships for oceans, food systems, climate change, blue economy or sustainable financing program. What was your role, what approach was used, and what was the outcome?
- How would you develop and manage a regional investment program that aligns donor priorities with Pacific development objectives, mobilises sustainable financing, and delivers measurable outcomes for member countries?
- Tell us about a time you successfully engaged internal and external stakeholders to achieve a shared objective. What strategies did you use to build alignment, manage differing interests, and secure support for a common direction?