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Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

Air Surveillance Planning Officer

Job No: 103853
Location: Honiara

  • Take on a Pacific Maritime Security role with the Forum Fisheries Agency in Honiara, Solomon Islands!
  • Be on the front-line of efforts to combat Illegal. Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing!
  • Excellent salary package (tax-free, for citizens for most countries!), including COLDA and Location Allowance PLUS a host of other benefits!
  • Make the ultimate sea change and take your career to the next level!
  • Applications close Monday 8th October at 7pm AEST

There have been minor modifications to this role - Previous applicants for this position are welcome to reapply!

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 full-time Air Surveillance Program Officer to join their team in Honiara, in the Solomon Islands, working within the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre.

The Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre manages the aerial surveillance program on foreign fishing fleets in the region, providing air surveillance service to FFA member countries, based on regional risk assessments and responding to nationally-determined air surveillance tasking.

Reporting to the Coordinator - Aerial Surveillance Program (CASP), you will primarily be responsible for coordinating, planning, executing and reporting on operational functions of FFA Aerial Surveillance deployments for FFA members, focused on the execution of the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP).

Please note this is a 3-year contract role, with possible renewal for a further 3 years subject to performance appraisal and availability of funding.

Some of your key responsibilities will include (but not be limited to):

  • Supporting CASP in managing relationships with national surveillance, diplomatic and civil aviation authorities as required to ensure effective aerial surveillance approvals, operations and assessments;
  • Leading the operational planning, tasking, execution and communication of intelligence collection as part of the AS process to member surveillance authorities and FFA Secretariat;
  • Conducting intelligence-based scheduling of aerial surveillance in coordination with the Pacific Patrol Boats across 15 Member Country Exclusive Economic Zones' Territorial Waters and adjacent High Seas Pockets;
  • Working effectively with the FFA Secretariat, regional partners and aerial surveillance operator to provide operational guidance and intelligence analysis to FFA member surveillance authorities; and
  • Maintaining effective communication with relevant member governments agencies to ensure equitable delivery of aerial surveillance services to member nations and meets the agreed objectives.

The full position description can be downloaded here.

About You

To be considered for this role you must possess a tertiary qualification in a relevant field, such as Project Planning, Logistics, Maritime Operations or Transport Planning, alongside a minimum of 3 years demonstrated experience in logistics planning and management, regional fisheries surveillance operations, multinational coordination and communication or other relevant fields. 

The ideal candidate will use their excellent prioritisation, coordination, communication and planning skills to work proactively under changing requirements. You will have proven technical competency and experience in planning and scheduling aircraft deployments and/or intelligence collection, with analytical and creative problem-solving skills.

As you will be reporting to various multinational stakeholders and international bodies frequently, your excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication/presentation skills will be crucial to your success. Previous experience in Maritime Law Enforcement, GIS System Operation and Air Logistics and Planning will be very highly regarded.

Most importantly, FFA is looking for an organised, flexible and operationally minded professional with the ability to responding to short notice requests and manage the flow-on effect on scheduled activities.

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 (for citizens of most countries), 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 the country of repatriation will be provided, and a repatriation allowance of 2 weeks’ base salary on return to home-base at the end of the contract. There is also a retention incentive of 14% 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!

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

Applications close Monday 8th October at 7pm AEST.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be directly engaged at the cutting edge of intergovernmental fisheries management policy-making and implementation - Apply Now!

 

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