Job Description

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

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, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Legal and Governance Team plays a critical role in overseeing governance, legal and risk management support and advice to SPC. The Team is heavily involved in improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services and improve operational compliance.

The role – the Legal Officer will manage the flow of requests to the Legal and Governance Team, review procurement contracts and grant agreements, funding arrangements, letters of agreement, memorandums of understanding and other legal documents as required, and provide legal advice on these matters to SPC.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Manage the daily flow of legal assistance requests received. This includes recording requests, filing emails and documents in dedicated folders, acknowledging receipt, allocating requests within the team according to complexity and rigorously managing a response timetable in line with the team's priorities.
• Draft and review procurement, grants and other contracts, as well as letters of agreement, memorandums of understanding and templates to protect SPC and minimize risk while adhering to the principles of international administrative law and taking into account the domestic law as it impacts SPC’s operations. Provide legal advice to divisions on legal issues that arise in the preparation of the contracts.
• Build strong collaborative relationships internally throughout SPC and with external stakeholders.
• Contribute to governance and corporate services improvements, especially procurement and grant reforms.
• Provide outreach, education and training and raise awareness of SPC’s governance framework, legal obligations and responsibilities to SPC staff.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description .

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in international law or related area.
• Meets the professional requirements to practice law in one or more jurisdictions of an SPC member country.

Technical expertise

• At least 2 years PQE in providing legal advice on governance, organizational or international law issues or contracts.
• Excellent legal analytical skills.

Language skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication and negotiation skills.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Legal Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,044‒2,555 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,152–7,691 (USD 2,719–3,398; EUR 2,504–3,130). 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. 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.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. 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.

Application procedure  

Closing Date: 15 June 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000080

Applicants must apply online at

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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):

1. Please describe your experience in reviewing and providing legal advice on contracts, in particular procurement contracts, grants agreement and funding agreements with international donors.
2. What do you see as the main legal challenges for an intergovernmental organisation like SPC?
3. Please describe your experience in providing legal advice to stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, both culturally and in terms of seniority.

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