Project Implementation Officer At Pacific Community

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 26 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The other two focus areas within this division are Programming and Operations, which is responsible for driving integrated programming excellence and operational support across the division, and Geoinformatics, which is responsible for providing diverse, integrated, and unique and demand-driven information and spatial data services across SPC work programmes, projects and countries.

The EU-funded Global Climate Change Alliance Plus Scaling up Pacific Adaptation (GCCA+ SUPA), which aims to enhance climate change adaptation and resilience within ten Pacific Island countries (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Tonga and Tuvalu) is housed in the Georesources and Energy Programme area.

The three outputs of the GCCA+SUPA project are: (i) Climate and disaster risk information, knowledge management, monitoring and strategic planning capacities strengthened at national and regional levels led by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP); (ii) Planning and decision making capacities to address climate change and disaster risks at sub-national and community level strengthened, applying participatory, gender-sensitive and rights-based approaches led by the University of the South Pacific (USP); and (iii) Strategic and local interventions for climate change adaptation and mainstreaming scaled up in up to five sectors led by SPC.

The role – Project Implementation Officer will coordinate with country partners to design, implement and close sector-focused on-the-ground interventions and related mainstreaming activities that fulfil the criteria for scaling-up Pacific adaptation to climate change. Provide oversight and guidance for the implementation and M&E of the national activities. Covers four of the ten countries.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Assist the countries to understand scaling-up, and design measures (on-the-ground measures and mainstreaming measures) that fulfil the criteria for scaling-up Pacific adaptation to climate change within the framework of the GCCA+ SUPA budget and SPC’s Financial Regulations
• Assist four of the countries implement, monitor, evaluate and close the delivery of the on-the-ground measures and mainstreaming measures in collaboration with the National Coordinators
• Contribute to national and regional training, technical exchange, capacity building and communication activities, and coordinate closely with CROP agencies delivering Outputs 1 and 2 of the project

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the job description online.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• University degree in environment management, climate change, or related field; and a postgraduate degree in project management or financial management. (The order of degrees may be reversed, but must cover the two separate areas of expertise)

Knowledge and experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience working with Pacific Island countries in areas relating to climate change, disaster risk management and capacity building
• At least 5 years of experience working in the operationalisation of donor-funded projects in the Pacific region
• Demonstrated experience with the implementation of multi-sector projects in a cross-cutting field such as climate change

Essential skills

• Proven track record in the monitoring and evaluation of project outputs
• Experience with multi-stakeholder participatory and consultative approaches including gender sensitive and rights-based approaches
• Excellent PC-based computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written)

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Excellent interpersonal skills in the multicultural environment of the Pacific Islands
• Ability to work within an inclusive and equitable environment

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – until 30 June 2023

Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.

Remuneration – The Project Implementation Officer is a Band 9 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,229‒2,786 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,731–8,413 (USD 3,098–3,872; EUR 2,734–3,417). 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. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. 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 matching 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 bilingualism, 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 be given to the Pacific Islander.

Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.