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EDITOR AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICER  (Re-advertised)

Background

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is an independent intergovernmental agency that provides assistance and technical advisory services to Pacific Island countries, territories and administrations in the protection and management of their environment to ensure they achieve sustainable development for present and future generations.   SPREP’s membership comprises 21 Pacific Island countries and territories and 4 developed countries (Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States of America).   SPREP currently has a staff of more than 70.  

Key Responsibilities and accountabilities

The Editor and Publications Officer will be responsible to the Director and/or Deputy Director through the Corporate Services Manager for the effective management of SPREP’s editing and publication services.   In particular, the Editor and Publications Officer will perform the following primary duties:

•  Assume responsibility for and manage the production of SPREP materials and public awareness products such as brochures, the website, newsletters, etc in line with relevant communication strategies;

•  edit SPREP publications (both print and electronic forms), improve clarity, consistency and accuracy, and ensure publications meet the needs of target audiences and deadlines for publication;

•  implement the overall production process in close liaison and consultation with Programme staff, including layout and graphic design services, quotations, printing and distribution;

•  provide professional and technical advice to SPREP Programmes on format, length and content of publications, as well as the choice of medium;

•  coordinate production of French language and Pacific island language versions of some documents, as and when required;

•  research, write and produce SPREP’s Annual Report, in electronic and paper forms;

•  Manage the budget and p rovide relevant information to assist with SPREP’s cash flow management for the publication / media area, including developing and writing funding proposals;

•  Develop, maintain and update corporate electronic online content (website and other corporate electronic publications);

•  Write and compile content for public awareness products such as brochures, newsletters, posters, etc.

Other duties include the following:

• Participate and provide technical advice in developing and implementing communications initiatives and strategies for SPREP and its programmes;
• Coordinate and provide support to Member countries relating to publishing; and conduct writing and editorial training sessions for SPREP staff;
• Act as the media liaison officer, in conjunction with the Assistant Media and Publications Officer, to :

•  Prepare press and media releases for SPREP;

•  Liaise with national regional and international media representatives to place stories concerning SPREP;

•  Write monthly columns in Island Business Monthly and Pacific Magazine;

•  Provide general information on the organization and its activities to media and the public;

Required Qualifications and Experience

Essential requirements for this position are :

Applicants must be nationals of SPREP member countries and territories with the following competencies:

•  A university degree preferably in communications, public relations or a related field with experience in communicating environmental science issues or in a related discipline;

•  At least five years experience in editing and publishing in English; and some professional experience in high volume and high quality publications production under tight deadlines;

•  Ability to edit and write a wide range of materials (technical and other), for a variety of target audiences;

•  Highly organized, detail-oriented and team-player who has the ability to manage the work of consultants and outsourcing, supervise and develop staff and to work in a multi-cultural and gender-sensitive environment;

•  Advanced knowledge of computerized editing and publishing software;

•  Demonstrable excellent verbal and written communications skills, both at a technical level and in the preparation of information.   Familiarity and knowledge of participating countries and their languages would be an advantage.

Also, highly desirable are the following :

Shortlisted candidates will be required to take an editing test.

Terms and Conditions

Duty Station:  Apia, Samoa.

Duration:   Appointment is for a term of 3 years initially with renewal for a further period, up to a maximum of six years, depending upon the officer’s performance during the first term and availability of funds.

Grade:   Appointment will be at the Grade I of SPREP’s authorised salary scale for professional staff.

Salary:   The basic salary range for this position is expressed in International Monetary Fund Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).   The salary range is from 25,681 SDRs to a maximum of 35,084 SDRs (including COLDA), depending on the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience.   From 1 January 2005, the equivalent salary in Samoan Tala is SAT$105,677 to a maximum of SAT$144,370 per annum (including COLDA).

Adjustments:   Professional staff salaries and appropriate allowances are paid in Samoan Tala and adjusted every month based on the monthly average in the value of the SDR relative to the Samoan Tala (SAT) at the time the salary payment is processed.   SDR movement however is limited to within 5% above or below a reference point set annually.   Remuneration is paid monthly in SAT equivalent.   The international currency exchange rate at the time of writing is approximately USD1.00 = SAT2.74.

Term:     For those recruited from outside Samoa, the term begins from the day the appointee leaves his or her home to take up the appointment.   Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical examination, as well as a 6 months’ probationary period. Termination is by way of either (i) completion of term of contract or (ii) by way of one month’s notice by either party.

For staff recruited from outside Samoa, the following applies:

Relocation Expenses:   SPREP will meet certain appointment and termination expenses for professional staff recruited from outside Apia, Samoa, including transport and accommodation en-route for the appointee and accompanying dependent(s) between home and Apia, and return, by the shortest and most economical route.   This includes:

-   reasonable cost of packing, insuring, shipping and unpacking furniture, household and personal effects as follows:

 

-   for each dependent 6m3 for the staff member;

-   2m3 for dependent spouse;

-   1m3 child; and

-  up to 20 kilos of excess baggage per person.

Establishment Grant:   A lump sum, of SDR1,100 is payable upon taking up appointment and arrival in Apia.

Temporary Accommodation and Assistance:   On arrival in Apia, the appointee and dependent/s are entitled to temporary accommodation at a suitable hotel or other fully furnished accommodation for up to 6 working days (or up to 12 days in circumstances as approved by the Director).   Appointee will be assisted to settle into Apia.   This will include help in finding suitable rental accommodation.

School Holiday Travel:   One return economy class airfare between the place of education (home) and Apia each year (except the last) to enable a dependent child being educated outside Samoa to visit parents.

Home Leave Travel:   One return economy class airfare home after each completing eighteen months of service (for a 3-year term) except the last year, for the appointee and dependent(s).

Privileges and Immunities:   SPREP remuneration is tax-free for non-citizens or non-residents of Samoa, including duty-free importation of household and personal effects which have been owned and used by them for no less than six months, within 6 months of taking up appointment.

Repatriation allowance:

The appointee is entitled to a repatriation allowance equivalent to two week’s basic salary, upon successful completion of contract.

For ALL professional staff, the following applies:

Cost of living differential allowance:   Cost-of-living differential allowance reflects the difference in the cost of living between Suva and Apia.   This allowance is reviewed periodically based on data determined by an independent reviewer.

Education Allowance:   Education expenses maybe reimbursed against actual receipts for dependent children.   For expatriate officers, the entitlement is limited to tuition and boarding fees up to a maximum of SAT15,600 per child with a maximum of SAT46,800 per family per annum.   For local professional officers, the entitlement is limited to a maximum of SAT3,200 per child with a maximum of SAT9,600 per family per annum.   This benefit is currently under review.

Housing Assistance:   A rental assistance of 75% of the rent payable in Samoa for expatriate executive furnished housing is a component of remuneration for all professional staff.   This supplement is currently under review.

Annual Leave:   25 working days a year (up to a maximum accumulation of 50 days).

Sick Leave:   30 working days a year (up to a maximum accumulation of 90 days).

Other Leave:   Provisions also exist for maternity, family (compassionate and paternity) and special (without pay) leave.

Duty Travel:   SPREP meets travelling expenses at prescribed rates necessarily incurred by staff required to travel away from Apia on official business.

Personal Accident Insurance:   All employees are covered by SPREP’s 24 hour Life and Personal Accident Insurance Policy.

Medical Insurance:   All employees and their dependents are entitled to have all reasonable medical, dental and optical expenses met by SPREP or by SPREP’s medical insurance scheme.

Superannuation:   An expatriate contract staff member will receive a superannuation allowance of 7% of basic salary.   For local contract staff, SPREP will pay 7% of basic salary to the Samoa National Provident Fund.

Definitions:

“Dependent” means the financially dependent spouse or dependent child of an employee.

“Dependent child” means an employee’s unmarried legally and financially dependent natural or legally adopted child who is:

-   under the age of 16 years; or

-   under the age of 19 years if undertaking full-time study at a secondary school; or

-   under the age of 22 years if enrolled and undertaking full-time study at a university or other tertiary institution; or mentally or physically incapacitated.

Equal Opportunities:   SPREP is an equal opportunities employer.   Men and women are equally eligible for all posts in SPREP.

Applications

Applications should be accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae containing full personal details (birth date, sex, nationality, marital status, number of dependents and age/s, health status, home address, and full contact numbers); qualifications and experience relevant for the position; previous and current appointments with salaries, names and contact addresses/numbers/E-mail of three professional referees who are prepared to provide testimonials.   References, if available, are to accompany your application from three recent employers and/or supervisors.   In addition, application should include copies of academic qualifications.   Application should also indicate how soon you are available to start if successful, and must be addressed to:

The Director

SPREP                       Telephone:   (685) 21 929

PO Box 240                Fax:               (685) 20 231

Apia, Samoa             SPREP@sprep.org