Communications Assistant

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: | Communications Assistant Division/Programme: | Polynesia Regional Office Location: | Nuku'alofa, Tonga Reporting to: | Polynesian Regional Office Director Number of Direct Reports: | 0 Purpose of Role: | The Communications Assistant supports the Polynesia Regional Office (PRO) in planning, coordinating and delivering high-quality communications and visibility activities that strengthen SPC's impact across Polynesian member countries and territories. The position will identify, develop and disseminate compelling stories, multimedia products and communications that showcase SPC's work, promote regional priorities and enhance engagement with governments, partners, donors, media and communities. The role also supports regional events, digital communications, media engagement and member visibility initiatives, ensuring alignment with SPC's corporate communications standards. The role has a public-awareness and visibility mandate: to build broad recognition and understanding of SPC and PRO across SPC'S membership, reaching communities, schools, young people, governments, development partners and other stakeholders. Date: | September 2026 Organisational Context and Organisation Chart 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 20 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The Regional Offices (ROs) in SPC exist to support the delivery of SPC services across its membership. The intention of the sub-regional offices is to have a geographical focus and ultimately having more 'localised' expertise available across all SPC programmes. The PRO, the newest regional office for SPC, will lead on strengthening engagement and relationships with members towards better coordination, planning and delivery of regional programmes and services across the Polynesia sub-region. This includes strengthening integrated programming efforts and development of strategic approaches to country programming in Polynesian countries to increase sustainable development impacts and results for SPC members in particular progressing their Sustainable Development Goals. As part of programming, the work of PRO will also facilitate the harmonisation of approaches and contextualised models for programme execution in Polynesia. The PRO, the newest regional office for SPC, will lead on strengthening engagement and relationships with members towards better coordination, planning and delivery of regional programmes and services across the Polynesia sub-region. Key Result Areas (KRAs): The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below Jobholder is accountable for | Jobholder is successful when Content development and storytelling (40%)- Working closely with the Regional Director to contribute in developing a Polynesia sub-regional content plan aligned with PRO priorities, member engagement objectives and SPC corporate communications campaigns. - Assisting with public-awareness campaigns and creative initiatives that make SPC and PRO relevant, accessible and memorable to different audiences, including schools, youth, communities, government and development partners. - Identifying and documenting stories and achievements across Polynesian countries and territories. - Producing communications products including feature stories, news articles, media releases in formats that strengthen SPC and PRO brand recognition. | - A consistent pipeline of high-quality communications products showcases SPC's work across Polynesia. - Member impacts are effectively translated into compelling stories and visibility products. - Regional content regularly contributes to SPC-wide communications campaigns and corporate communications outputs. - Communications materials meet corporate standards and are published within agreed timelines. - SPC and PRO have a consistent, recognisable and memorable public presence across Polynesia, with content reaching audiences beyond traditional government and development-sector networks. - Awareness activities are organised regularly and attract participation from youth, communities and other target audiences. - Organising awareness activities including school quiz competitions and other youth/community initiatives, to increase knowledge of SPC's role, work and contribution in Polynesia. - Contributing to a planned stream of daily or weekly digital content to maintain a consistent and recognisable SPC/PRO presence. - Ensuring technical and programme information is translated into accessible, audience-focused communications products. - Contributing regional content to SPC internet, intranet and social media platforms by using SPC-established communications workflows, platforms, content repositories and planning systems. | - Daily/weekly digital content is delivered consistently, with appropriate use of formats. - Audience reach, engagement and awareness of SPC/PRO are monitored and used to improve future content and campaigns. Media relations and engagement (25%)- Building and maintaining relationships with media and communications focal points to secure regular opportunities for SPC/PRO visibility across Polynesia. - Monitoring regional media coverage and identifying proactive opportunities to enhance SPC visibility. - Maintaining a media engagement calendar (radio, television, digital, key events, international days or member priorities). - Supporting the preparation of media releases, key messages, speaking points and briefing notes or public-information segments that explain SPC's work and bring SPC/PRO closer to communities. - Liaising with government communications offices, regional organisations and partners on joint communications initiatives. - Coordinate with SCOPE on sensitive, crisis related or reputational communications, media enquiries, high-level announcements and content requiring corporate clearance. | - SPC achieves regular, positive and targeted media coverage across Polynesian member countries with content tailored to community and public audiences. - Media requests are coordinated efficiently and professionally. - Regional stakeholders have increased awareness of SPC programmes and achievements. - Increased public understanding of SPC's work, areas of expertise and contribution to Polynesian development. - Strong working relationships are maintained with national and regional media, enabling proactive rather than only reactive coverage. Regional engagement and member visibility (15%)- Producing event materials including programmes, presentations, signage, social media coverage and post-event communications products. - Coordinating photography, videography and branding requirements for regional events. - Supporting an annual SPC Day or SPC Week and other public engagement initiatives in | - Regional events are supported by effective communications and visibility plans. - Event-related communications products are delivered on time. - SPC branding and donor visibility requirements are consistently met. - Communications increase engagement and audience reach. collaboration with members and SPC programmes. - Organising opportunities such as 'A Day with the Regional Director' to connect SPC leadership with students, communities, media, government and stakeholders. - Organising Development Partner Talanoa sessions and stakeholder engagement activities to strengthen relationships, information-sharing and visibility of SPC. - Supporting community-level, school-level and stakeholder-level engagement activities that explain what SPC does, how members can access