Technical Officer - Ocean Observations

About the role

The Pacific Community (SPC) is hiring a Technical Officer for its Ocean Observations role within the Earth and Ocean Observation Services of the Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division. The officer provides hands-on technical support for regional ocean observation and monitoring, with a focus on wave monitoring systems, supporting the deployment, maintenance and operational sustainability of wave buoys and other in situ systems (ADCPs, water-quality sensors, multi-sensor platforms) across SPC member countries.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and take part in the deployment, recovery and redeployment of wave buoys and other in situ instruments, including diving operations where required, and prepare mission plans, risk assessments and field reports.
• Contribute to site assessments, mooring design and deployment planning, and lead or support offshore and coastal field operations in line with SPC safety procedures.
• Provide maintenance and troubleshooting support for buoys, sensors, telemetry, power systems and moorings, plan preventative and corrective maintenance, and keep maintenance logs, calibration records and technical documentation.
• Support data quality assurance, data management procedures and SOPs, and help ingest observation data into SPC and national data platforms.
• Give technical input to procurement of ocean observing equipment, maintain asset records, and coordinate logistics such as shipping, customs clearance and insurance.

Required profile

• Degree in electronics, electrical engineering, marine science or technology, ocean instrumentation or a closely related field, or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Open Water Diving certification or equivalent, and fitness to dive for work-related tasks.
• Minimum 4-5 years of progressive technical experience in marine, oceanographic or environmental monitoring fieldwork.
• Experience deploying, recovering and commissioning in situ observation systems such as wave buoys, moorings, ADCPs or multi-sensor platforms, and maintaining marine instrumentation.
• Experience mentoring or training adult learners and working with government agencies and regional partners.
• Excellent English (oral and written); French is an advantage.

What we offer

• Band 8 position in the 2026 SPC salary scale, starting at 2,146-2,683 SDR per month (about FJD 6,632-8,290).
• Housing allowance of FJD 1,500-5,200 per month for staff posted to Suva.
• Establishment and repatriation grants, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, health and life insurance, and education allowances for eligible dependents.
• 25 working days of annual leave and access to the SPC Provident Fund.
• Remuneration of expatriate staff in Fiji is not subject to income tax; Fiji nationals are.

Contract runs until 30 June 2028, subject to renewal. Applications close on 29 November 2026 and must be submitted online with a resume, cover letter and answers to screening questions.