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Small Island Development States Network (SIDSnet) Pacific Information Officer
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.
SIDSnet was established in 1997 as a follow-up to the 1994 Barbados Programme
of Action (BPoA). SIDSnet is an important communications tool for the Small
Island Developing States (SIDS) stakeholders on issues regarding the BPoA,
promoting the sharing of SIDS experiences and the development of the global
SIDS agenda. SIDSnet also provides an influential tool and means for galvanising
awareness of the need for improving Internet access and infrastructure
in SIDS. In phase II, SIDSnet has created regional presence through establishment
of three regional nodes in the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the AIMS regions,
emphasizing on capacity building for sustainable development information
in the SIDS regions. The recent BPOA+10 Mauritius Meeting resolved that “The
SIDSnet is a critical mechanism in support of the sustainable development
of small island developing states and needs maintenance, strengthening
and further enhancement.” From the BPoA and Mauritius Strategy, the
agreed goals, objectives and activities for the SIDSnet are:
(a) Facilitate knowledge transfer within the region targeting governments,
regional stakeholders and communities on sustainable development and the
significance of the ‘BpoA’ in providing a vehicle for coordinated
progress;
(b) Provide a clearing-house of information and communication network
system targeting sustainable development to stimulate debate, ideas, approaches
and methods suited to Pacific island countries (PICs);
(c) Related to the above highlight the availability of and promote modern
technology and communication systems that extend the communication network
to remote communities, bearing in mind for instance the work undertaken
by SPREP through its Pacific Environment Information Network, and that
of SOPAC having the regional mandate for disaster management and hazard
risk management;
(d) Improvement of the information packaging in relation to sustainable
development;
(e) Encouragement of private sector opportunities and involvement;
(f) Provision of necessary human resources support and training;
(g) Establishment of links to existing clearinghouses and similar network
mechanisms and other relevant conventions;
(h) Invitation of appropriate international cooperation for the above
purposes;
(i) Strengthening of the Network as an important source of information
on best practices in integrated environmental and development planning;
and
(j) Extending the use of the network to assist in regional environment
and sustainable development governance.
Key Responsibilities and accountabilities
The SIDSnet Pacific Information Officer will be responsible to the Director,
primarily to undertake the following responsibilities:
1. Develop and improve advocacy strategies to promote the objectives
of SIDSnet within the Pacific region:
·
Develop and maintain contacts with other development partners including
CROP agencies, and island stakeholders to keep abreast of emerging knowledge
and to share SIDS experience on sustainable development;
·
Coordinate SIDSnet capacity building activities in conjunction with
other information activities carried out by SPREP;
·
Strengthen collaboration between SIDSnet, UN agencies, Global Environment
Facility, SPREP, National and Regional organizations, including CROP;
·
Identify the specific needs of national and regional information focal
points and coordinate actions aimed at strengthening their capacity to
deliver information centered around the BPoA issues;
·
Promote methods to assist with coordination of, and communication between
key information stakeholders (governments, non-governmental organizations,
private sector, research institutions);
·
Develop synergy between SIDSnet activities and various existing SPREP,
international, regional, and national reporting and clearinghouse initiatives
related to the BPoA, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JpoI), and
the Mauritius Strategy.
2. SIDSnet Pacific web site management (www.sidsnetpacific.org):
·
Collaborate with the relevant sections of SPREP, other CROP agencies
and regional stakeholders involved in implementing the BPOA, JPoI and the
Mauritius Strategy in order to gather, verify, and publish information
on the website.
·
Produce regular electronic newsletter to inform the pacific stakeholders
of current issues and events relevant to the implementation of BPOA, JPoI
and Mauritius Strategy in the Pacific.
·
Collaborate with SIDSnet New York, Caribbean and AIMS regions in inter-regional
activities serving SIDSnet Goals;
·
Ensure that regional meetings related to the BPoA are announced and
reported on SIDSnet Pacific Website;
·
Responsible for implementation of Pacific SIDS experts and experiences
database on SIDSnet;
·
Ensure that SIDSnet is used in broadcasting the inputs to, deliberations
and outcomes of key national, regional and international conferences and
meetings related to sustainable development.
Other related activities required from time to time as directed.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Applications are invited from nationals of Pacific island countries
and territories for the above position, with the following:
- University degree in information and communications technologies (ICTs)
related fields;
- Minimum of 3 years progressive professional experience with Internet
or Information applications, programming, web development and technical
skills.
- Excellent skills in Information technology using mainstream software
applications;
- Ability to write clear and concise reports and policy papers;
- Demonstrated good organizational, analytical, negotiating, communications,
training and advocacy skills;
- Well informed on information and Internet issues in the Pacific region
in the context of environment information for sustainable development issues.
Terms and Conditions
Duty Station: Apia, Samoa.
Duration: Appointment is for a short term of 2 years or less initially, with renewal for a further period depending upon the officer’s performance and continuity of related programme activities and availability of funds.
Grade: Appointment will be at the Grade H of SPREP’s authorised salary scale for professional staff.
Salary: The basic salary range is expressed in International Monetary Fund Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). The salary range is from 14,534 SDRs to a maximum of 21,289 SDRs (including COLDA), depending on the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience. From 1 February 2005, the equivalent salary in Samoan Tala is SAT$58,950 to a maximum of SAT$86,348 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 = SAT2.70.
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:
- economy class airfares; and
- reasonable cost of packing, insuring, shipping and unpacking furniture,
household and personal effects as follows:
- 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: Not applicable for a short term contract. For a
full 3-year term, one return economy class airfare between Apia and
home after completing 18 months of service 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.
General: Appointment will be under the terms and conditions of SPREP’s Staff Regulations, a copy of which will be made available to the successful applicant.
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 E-mail: SPREP@sprep.org
Closing Date: 31 March 2005. Late applications will not be considered.