The Climate Change Project Development Specialist will support the work of the SPC FAME CFAP in the identification, development and design of climate change project concepts for identified coastal fisheries and aquaculture related priorities. The role will also provide high level advice on options and avenues for financing climate change project ideas and concepts, in close consultation with the SPC FAME and CFAP senior management and the Climate Change Flagship Programme. Support the CFAP team by providing technical guidance, awareness and training to the technical teams and the beneficiary countries and territories in project development tapping into climate finance.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following
Climate change project development
Lead in coordinating the development of new climate change project ideas and concepts.
Lead and manage the project development work in line with modalities of the identified climate finance opportunity.
Provide technical support for the development of climate change project level reporting and reviews.
Ensuring that planning monitoring, evaluation, reflection, and learning (PMEL) activities and methods are incorporated into project development and implementation.
Ensure that new concepts and projects are strongly aligned to the overall SPC Key Focus Areas and integration with other SPC Divisions is explored where possible.
Ensure that all regional priorities across CROP agencies working on climate change actions and international undertakings are factored.
Provision of climate change technical support and advisory
Lead in supporting the identification, development and design of climate change mitigation and adaption related project concepts as per the priorities of food systems transformation, coastal fisheries and aquaculture in the member PICTs.
Upon members’ request, support the identification, development, and design of climate finance project concepts.
Support implementation of climate finance projects in the coastal fisheries and aquaculture sectors through provision of technical advice.
Provide technical leadership, engagement, and operational guidance to contribute to the effective delivery of all climate change related projects within the technical programme.
Lead, coordinate and facilitate multi-stakeholder consultative approaches and forums.
Provide strategic advice to member PICTs on how they can be supported in developing and implementing food systems, coastal fisheries and aquaculture projects that focus on addressing climate change.
Support leveraging of climate finance and resource mobilisation
Identify coastal fisheries and aquaculture related climate change needs drawing from relevant regional and national strategies, policies, frameworks, directives.
Contribute to, and support mobilisation initiatives with funding agencies and advocate for long-term funding support.
Explore new work opportunities that align to new / emerging development priorities of PICTs, through engaging with line ministries, sector specialists and government focal points on climate change and climate finance.
Map climate change priorities in the coastal fisheries and aquaculture sectors against funding sources to identify opportunities for accessing climate finance.
Lead in the preparation and organisation of a portfolio of project ideas for potential funding and promote dialogue.
Seek active synergies and collaboration opportunities with other SPC Divisions.
Enhancing capabilities in climate project development and financing
Provide technical guidance, awareness and training to the member PICTs and SPC FAME CFAP on project development using climate finance.
Provide expert advice on current thinking and innovations in coastal food systems, coastal fisheries and aquaculture in relation to climate change.
Provide expert advice and up-to-date information to PICTs regarding climate finance options, policies, modalities, and the various project development requirements.
Organise relevant training for the benefit of PICTs on modalities to develop concepts.
Develop guidance tools such as communities of practice, participatory workshops, learning events, templates, to enhance awareness and understanding of climate change project development capacity of the technical programmes within SPC FAME CFAP.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
A master’s degree from a recognised institution in a discipline relevant to sustainable development and climate change (coastal fisheries, aquaculture, natural resources management, environmental sciences, international development, or economics).
Technical expertise
At least 8 years of practical experience in international development and climate change areas.
Over 5 years of experience in medium-large climate change project management and /or development.
Demonstrated experience in grants/proposal writing and mobilisation of funds.
Sound knowledge of issues related to climate change adaption and mitigation in the Pacific islands region.
Demonstrated ability to lead strategically with a solid understanding of project development and management of complex regional or international funded projects.
Demonstrated experience in relationship building and working with a wide variety of donors and development partners with awareness of their policies and procedures.
Proven history of successfully building and leading project design and development, including with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Demonstrated experience of leading and coordinating strategic consultation processes for regional positioning across a relevant sectoral agenda such as climate change in coastal fisheries and aquaculture.
Proven knowledge of international climate governance context, including financial aspects.
Demonstrated knowledge of climate finance providers and their models and requirements.
Have a sound knowledge of the Pacific island region’s development context and the science of climate change impacts.
Proven experience in developing highly complex projects on a tight schedule with a several partners in the coastal fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Language skills
Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with the capacity to engage scientific, government, public and community audiences.
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
Demonstrated capability for collaborating and working in an integrated programme involving colleagues from several different countries and cultures.
Proven ability to work collaboratively and openly within a team dynamic.