Description
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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The Climate Change and Sustainability division (CCS) strengthens and streamlines SPC’s actions on climate change by bringing together work already undertaken by the organisation under a coherent strategic and technical leadership. In addition, it leads the actions of SPC on climate change and sustainability, works with SPC’s regional and international partners and promotes the integration of these issues into all development activities conducted by its divisions.
The Climate Finance Officer will support the identification, development, and implementation of climate finance projects across SPC and its member countries. The role includes providing technical guidance, training, and outreach to SPC divisions, Designated Authorities, and line ministries on climate finance project development and implementation processes. The officer will also contribute to the management and coordination of SPC-led climate finance projects, while supporting the overall operations of the Climate Finance Unit (CFU) and the Climate Change and Sustainability (CCS) Division.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Provide technical assistance in the identification, development and design of GCF and AF projects
- Contribute to the writing and review process of climate finance concept notes, funding proposals and Readiness grant applications, under the direction of the Climate Finance Coordinator and in coordination with the Climate Finance Adviser and other members of CFU.
- Provide technical inputs on climate rationale, theory of change, logical framework, investment criteria and other aspects of concept notes and funding proposals.
- Support collaboration with SPC’s technical divisions for SPC-executed projects or co-executed projects.
- Coordinate the environmental and social risk assessment of proposals (including gender and social inclusivity), in line with the SPC SER policy and in collaboration with other CFU colleagues.
- Coordinate project development meetings, workshops, and in-country visits with relevant stakeholders
- Oversee the procurement process and management of external consultants supporting the development and design of concept note and funding proposals, including development of Terms of Reference, Technical Evaluations, and management of consultant deliverables.
- Draft and submit applications to secure funding from the GCF Project Preparation Facility (PPF) and AF Project Formulation Grant (PFG).
- As appropriate, participate in relevant webinars and workshops on project identification, development and design.
Provide technical guidance, training and outreach to SPC’s divisions, Designated Authorities and line ministries on climate finance project development and implementation
- Deliver trainings, and provide guidance and information to SPC’s divisions, Designated Authority offices and line ministries regarding multilateral climate funds, their policies and modalities, their requirements and project development processes at SPC.
- Provide technical guidance to relevant SPC staff, Designated Authorities and line ministries on specific issues regarding multilateral climate finance project identification, development, design and implementation.
Support the management and oversight of SPC-led projects
- Guide and support project supervision in SPC’s accredited / implementing / access entity function to ensure project activities comply with funding requirements, including submitting necessary documentation to donors, government and other partners on time.
- Engage with Project Management Units (PMUs) to ensure development of and adherence to detailed project plans and budget, including ensuring these are regularly updated to reflect progress and changes.
- Guide and support upstream and downstream engagement from SPC to donors as well as executing entities, through regular meetings and communication, addressing concerns and incorporating feedback.
- Ensure monitoring and evaluation frameworks track performance and prepare progress reports for donors in a timely manner, in coordination with CFU and project monitoring and evaluation personnel.
- Organise and support project inception phases, including coordination of legal and other post approval processes, project inception meetings and training for PMUs on SPC and donor requirements.
- Ad hoc support to the Climate Finance Adviser, Climate Finance Coordinator, CCS Director and Deputy Director, and other SPC divisions in the management and implementation of climate change projects.
Support the CFU operations and the CCS programme
- Contribute to the management of knowledge and monitor updates on multilateral climate finance policies and procedures, as well as regional efforts, including through an internal information sharing system.
- Support the organisation of and participate in SPC Climate Finance Committee meetings.
- Develop and maintain CFU’s internal project and portfolio monitoring tools, including maintenance of CFU’s Dashboard and Sharepoint.
- Provide support to CFU staff on CFU procurement processes.
- Support accreditation, re-accreditation and accreditation upgrade processes with the development and provision of associated documents.
- When deemed appropriate by CCS management, the Climate Finance Coordinator or others, participate in multilateral climate finance events.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- A degree in a relevant field relating to climate change, sustainable development, development assistance or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
Technical expertise
- At least 7 years of experience in project development and/or project management in field of climate change and/or sustainable development.
- A proactive and positive team player able to work effectively, with great initiative, willing to lend a hand in a broad range of tasks to support the CCS team in achieving their goals.
- Demonstrated competence in being well organised, works effectively under minimal supervision, able to multi-task, and effectively meet deadlines on multiple, and sometimes urgent requests for support.
Language skills
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in multicultural environment.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This contract is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration – the Climate Finance Officer is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,350-4,092 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 483,424-590,374 (USD 4,489-5,483; EUR 4,051-4,947). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.
Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea – SPC provides housing support in Noumea. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).
Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.
Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing date: 26 July 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: CR000601
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
- an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
- a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
- responses to all screening questions
Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference.
Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.
Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):
- Describe your experience developing climate finance proposals (e.g. GCF, AF or similar donor-funded projects). What was your role, and how did you contribute to the proposal development process to ensure donor requirements were met?
- Provide an example of delivering technical guidance, training or capacity-building support to government counterparts, project teams or other stakeholders. What was your approach and what was the outcome?
- Describe a situation where you supported the implementation of one or more donor-funded projects while managing competing priorities and deadlines. How did you ensure effective stakeholder coordination, timely reporting, compliance with donor requirements, and the delivery of project activities?