Project Development and Technical Lead – NDC Hub

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 organisation works across more than 25 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 Programme – Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme (CCES) was established to support SPC in strengthening and streamlining its climate change initiatives by consolidating the existing climate change work of SPC under strategic and technical management. In addition, CCES provides leadership in SPC’s climate change and environmental sustainability actions, coordinates and liaises with regional and international partners coherently for the organisation and enhances mainstreaming of the issue within its divisional development work.

The role – Project Development Technical Lead will provide support for the development, management and implementation of climate change projects across the Pacific, including through “The Pacific Regional Nationally Determined Contributions Hub Project” referred to as “The NDC Hub Project”. The role will provide key project development, management, implementation and coordination for above project and provide advice, guidance and support in the areas of climate change project development with a particular focus on NDCs implementation priorities of the region.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Project development, Implementation, coordination, and reporting

• In the context of NDC Hub, lead identification, development and design of climate change project concepts, as per identified NDC-related priorities with the Pacific Island Countries.
• Act as a first point of technical contact for queries related to NDC Hub.
• Lead project activities including field missions, consultative workshops with key stakeholders, and validation meetings.
• Advise on options and avenues for financing project ideas/concepts, in close consultation with the NDC Hub’s management.
• Submit projects reports to NDC Hub and to SPC accounting for work undertaken and contribute to the NDC Hub in Pacific SIDS project overall reporting and monitoring.
• Contribute lessons learned, stories and communication materials to the communication media of the NDC Hub.
• Ensure that NDC project development is captured into the data & information portal of the NDC Hub.

Technical Coordination & supervision

• Provide leadership, technical guidance, overall coordination on NDC Hub project implementation.
• Manage the overall coordination of the technical aspects of the NDC Hub project.
• Oversee and coordination of the technical inputs from implementing partners and PMU.
• Design and lead call for country request cycles and technical review of the country requests.
• Provide timely technical advice and guidance on international funding opportunities from which NDC relevant projects may benefit and facilitate exchange between national contacts and various sources of funding.
• Undertake periodic reviewing of the structuring and technical project delivery at NDC Hub.

Relationship Management, Representation and Sustainability

• Ensure coherence and coordination on climate change activities internally, and with external partners.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with projects donors.
• Support SPC under the Climate Change Flagship in leading, developing and implementing inter-divisional programmes that mainstream climate change across the whole organization.
• Develop and maintain smooth and close collaboration with institutional and technical partners involved with climate change project development in the Pacific region.
• Support UNFCCC and climate change related conferences as appropriate.

Capacity Development

• Undertake annual TNA survey to assess capacity development and training needs requirements for project beneficiaries.
• Coordinate and organise appropriate training exercises for the benefit of PICTs.
• Actively develop capacity building across SPC and with counterparts including design and delivery of specific training on NDCs.
• Provide technical guidance, awareness, and training to the NDC Hub partners and beneficiary countries in the area of project development tapping climate finance.

Support leveraging of climate finance to address climate change priorities in NDC

• Engage with line ministries, sector specialists and government focal points on climate change and climate finance (e.g. NDAs) to identify national priorities for accessing climate finance.
• Map climate change priorities in the sector against funding sources to identify opportunities for accessing climate finance in collaboration with other stakeholders internally.
• Provide sector-specific inputs and support in the development and progression of concept notes and funding proposals, collaborating with CF stakeholders internally and CFU.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A master’s degree qualification in a relevant field relating to sustainable development, resource management and climate change (environmental sciences or management, economics, finance or business administration)
• Climate adaptation finance or Project management certification

Technical expertise

• 10 years of practical experience in the Development and climate change areas.
• Around 5 years of experience in large (over 5 million Euros) climate change project or development.
• Proven experience in grants writing and mobilization of funds.
• Sound knowledge of issues related to climate change adaptation and mitigation in SIDS.
• Prior experience in managing projects in complex regional or international institutional setting with numerous partners, incl. design, organization, delivery, and MEL of project activities.
• Excellent drafting and writing skills including for a variety of reports and audiences
• Excellent proven experience in engaging with other stakeholders (private sector, NGOs, development partners, etc.)
• Proven track record in organizing consultations, validation meetings, workshops and capacity building events at the national and regional level
• A proactive and positive team player able to work effectively in a multicultural environment, with great initiative, willing to lend a hand in a broad range of tasks to support the CCES team in achieving their goals.

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 and experience in day-to-day engagement with Government ministries and agencies

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This position is budgeted until 31 August 2027.

Remuneration – The Project Development and Technical Lead is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,211–11,513 (USD 4,111–5,183; EUR 3,831–4,789). 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 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 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.