careers

The Pacific Islands Forum

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) is an Employer of Choice in the region, aiming to recruit and employ staff based on merit and organisational needs. The Secretariat’s employment selection upholds its values and commitment to Forum membership, gender balance and building a diverse and inclusive organisation. The PIFS is committed to achieving gender balance and being fully representative of our member countries*. The Secretariat’ s workforce is currently over 50% female, with representatives from 15 of the 18 Forum member countries.

The Opportunity – Trade Policy Officer

Applications are invited to fill this vacant international position to be based at the Secretariat in Suva. The position reports to the Trade Team Leader in providing support in the broader regional trade and investment focusing on strengthened support for effective implementation of trade policy and trade agreements, enhanced Aid for Trade support and other trade and integration initiatives. The key responsibilities are summarised as:

• Coordinate and organise meetings, workshops and training seminars including preparation of meeting and workshop papers and materials.
• Provide services and technical advice, either directly or through consultants, development partners or other counterparts.
• Monitor and report on mandates from Forum Trade Ministers, including Pacific ACP (PACP) related meetings at the Ministerial and Leaders levels; and
• Develop and deliver work programs and budgets and prepare periodic reports according to requirements.

Applicants should have a university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, or international trade, with at least five (5) years’ of relevant and direct work experience dealing with trade and economic research and policy issues in Pacific Island Countries or a similar environment

Candidates with direct experience in trade negotiations, the implementation of trade policy and agreements, trade mainstreaming, Aid for Trade, and regional trade development and integration—gained in a national, regional, or international environment—would be highly desirable.

The Package

The position carries a competitive and attractive remuneration and benefits package including allowances for housing and education; and medical, accident and life insurance coverage. This position is based on Band 9 of the PIFS salary scale. The starting salary for the position is SDR 29,181 per annum, which is equivalent to FJD 90,624 based on 1 March 2026 foreign exchange rate.

How to apply

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply through the PIFS website: www.forumsec.org where an information package containing the position description and full remuneration details are available. Candidates must include in either their application or Curriculum Vitae the full contact details of three referees.

To be eligible for the position, applicants must be nationals of Forum member countries. The Forum Secretariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The deadline for applications is 5 May 2026, 5pm (Fiji Time).

*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.