The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), wishes to appoint a person to a new position of Extensionist within its Plant Protection Service based in Suva, Fiji Islands. The SPC is a technical advisory, training and research organisation serving 22 Pacific Island countries and territories. It currently has more than 230 staff members at its two centres in Noumea, New Caledonia and in Suva, Fiji Islands. SPC uses English and French as its official working languages. English is the principal working language of SPC-Suva, Fiji Islands.

The SPC Plant Protection Service provides advice, training, materials, information and other services to support the development of national capacities in plant quarantine and pest management in 22 Pacific island countries and territories.

Pest Management in the Pacific (PMP) is a project of the SPC Plant Protection Service and is funded jointly by aid agencies of Australia (AusAID) and New Zealand (NZODA).

Reporting to the Plant Protection Advisor, and in collaboration with national extension services and NGOs in the countries concerned, the Extensionist will work with the SPC Plant Protection Information Service to assist with the effective transfer of appropriate plant protection technology, knowledge and skills to relevant community target groups. An important component of the work will be the social characterisation of rural communities with a view to improving the adoption of new technology. The Extensionist is expected to travel extensively in the region and, in collaboration with national authorities, develop and implement appropriate participatory extension programmes for identified target groups.

1. Develop training and extension procedures and extension materials, in collaboration with SPC plant protection specialists, national authorities and NGOs, for the delivery of information, skills and technology to target groups to increase the adoption by farmers of sustainable pest management practices for general and high priority pests.
2. In co-operation with national plant protection and quarantine services and other appropriate national authorities, facilitate the development of national plant protection and quarantine public awareness programmes and the adoption of global standards and trade facilitation practices.
3. Study and characterise rural communities and identify appropriate target groups for the purpose of designing culturally appropriate extension materials and methodologies to transfer plant protection technology.
4. Provide culturally sensitive training for national extension services, NGOs and community leaders in extension methodology and the design of appropriate extension materials.
5. Conduct evaluations and facilitate independent conduct of evaluations on the effectiveness of extension materials and methods for the transfer of plant protection technology and quarantine procedures and awareness.
6. Co-ordinate a small extension team and collaborate closely with other components of the SPC Plant Protection Service.
7. Carry out other extension work as directed by the Plant Protection Adviser.

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Essential:

1. either?a degree and experience in social anthropology and familiarity with the social structure of different rural communities preferably amongst the Pacific Islands; or, a degree in agriculture or environmental science or biological sciences or in information science with extensive experience in extension and skills in participatory extension practice preferably in the Pacific region;
2. demonstrable skills in the development of participatory social or agricultural or environmental extension programmes in developing countries preferably in the Pacific region;
3. a high level of proficiency in English language;
4. experience of PC-based LAN, Internet and MS Office systems;

Desirable:

5. knowledge of the social structure of Pacific island rural communities;
6. knowledge of / experience in identifying sociologically distinct farming systems / groups and designing appropriate extension materials;
7. some experience of plant protection and knowledge of the importance of quarantine services;
8. knowledge of desktop publishing; experience in editing technical publications & brochures;
9. experience in writing and speaking English to communicate with Pacific communities that use English as a second language.

Additional details are available on request from the SPC-Suva Administration Officer

The salary will be in the range FJD 54,599 - 71,515. Entry level will depend on qualifications and experience. SPC salaries are currently under review. Rental assistance of FJDl,170 per month will be provided and an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of Fiji. Removal and repatriation expenses for appointees and families are paid by SPC. SPC emoluments are not subject to income tax in Fiji at the present time. The currency exchange rate at the time of writing is approximately USD 1.00 = FJD2.10.

Appointment is for a period of three years in the first instance, subject to the satisfactory completion of a one-year probationary period. The duty station is Suva, Fiji Islands. Leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. Sick leave is 30 working days per annum. SPC's Staff Medical Insurance is a contributory scheme. The appointee will be eligible for membership of the SPC's Staff Provident Fund. Staff contribute eight percent of basic salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution.

SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Smoking is not permitted in the work place.

Applications may be e-mailed, faxed or posted to the Administration Officer, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Islands to arrive by 30 August 2001.

Facsimile – (+ 679) 386326 E-mail - PPS@...

Applicants should provide a current curriculum vitae with personal details, their qualifications and experience, previous appointments, current appointment and salary and the names and addresses (including telephone, fax, e-mail contacts) of three referees. A separate statement should be provided on how the applicant's qualifications and experience match each of the listed qualifications and experience required for appointment to the position. Confidential reports will be commissioned by SPC direct from referees.

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