The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (Forum Secretariat) is the region’s premier political and economic policy organisation, with a vision of helping to create a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.
The international organisation works to achieve this vision by fostering cooperation between governments, collaboration with international agencies, and by representing the interests of its members - including directly engaging with community members in order to identify pressing needs of the region.
The work of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) is guided by the Framework for Pacific Regionalism (FPR) as:
The expression of a common sense of identity and purpose, leading progressively to the sharing of institutions, resources, and markets, with the purpose of complimenting national efforts, overcoming common constraints, and embracing sustainable and inclusive development within Pacific countries and territories and for the Pacific region as a whole.
The FPR is underpinned by the Blue Pacific narrative, endorsed by Forum Leaders in Samoa in 2017, which calls for a long-term regional commitment to act as one “Blue Continent” as the means to achieve its development aspirations. The Leaders vision was that it would serve as the platform to reinforce and inspire the region in its shared stewardship of the Pacific Ocean, and to reaffirm the connections of Pacific peoples with their natural resources, environment, culture and livelihoods.
The Forum Secretariat has undergone an organisational restructure, with a view to achieving greater consistency across the organisation in the way workforce capability is developed, and capability gaps are identified and addressed. As such, the organisation has produced a highly professional workforce that is capable of creating and delivering high quality outcomes for the people of its member countries.
The policy work of the Secretariat is divided into three broad areas - Policy, Governance & Engagement, Programmes & Initiatives - depicting the different stages of the regional public policy cycle.
The Governance & Engagement team is tasked with building strong and meaningful relationships with PIF Members and external stakeholders, and to understand their interests, as a means to advocate for, and advance the collective values and priorities of the PIF as one Blue Pacific continent
The Policy team’s focus is on developing quality high-level policy advice to member governments in consultation with members and CROP and international partners on a broad portfolio of issues, including social, economic and security related matters.
The Programmes & Initiatives team is focused on driving for outcomes of programmes and activities, including oversight of various development partner funded projects and programmes, that would contribute directly to the achievement of the prioritised KRAs from the Forum Leaders’ decisions as well as those from other Forum ministerial meetings.
The Forum Secretariat is looking for a Trade Policy Officer (WTO & UN) to join the team in Geneva. The Trade Policy Officer will be responsible to the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO and United Nations) in Geneva. The Officer will assist in providing technical support and advice to Forum Island Countries (FICs) on issues relating to WTO negotiations, as well as on trade issues in trade-related international institutions based in Geneva. To facilitate the above, the incumbent will be responsible for:
The Secretariat seeks a strategic and proficient individual with a university bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance or international trade (a postgraduate degree, would be desirable, specializing in international economics or economic development issues and Diploma in WTO Trade Policy and/or successful completion of WTO internship program). The candidate to possess sound relevant substantial work experience dealing with international trade, trade policy, WTO issues and economic research in the Forum Island Countries or in a similar environment.
The appointment carries a competitive remuneration and benefits package including medical and life insurance. Salary for the Trade Policy Officer (WTO & UN) position depends on qualifications and experience. Paid in Euro dollars, this range is within an adjusted base salary of SDR37,144 to SDR47,147. At the 1st June 2020 exchange rates, this was equivalent to FJD113,486 to FJD144,048 per annum. This salary is also dependent on foreign exchange rates at the time of payment. For non-Fijian nationals, this salary may be tax-free. To be eligible for this position, the applicant must be a national of a Forum member country*.
Click here to view the information package for the job description and remuneration details. Applicants must be willing to travel periodically via economy class.
Candidates must include in either their application or Curriculum Vitae the full contact details of three referees. Deadline for applications is at 5pm (Fiji time), 31 July 2020.
The Forum Secretariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
*Member States of the Pacific Islands Forum: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.