Programme Strategy Adviser - Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Programme

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific region

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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) 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 Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Programme (PHWP) is an eight-year multi-donor, multi-country investment to enhance humanitarian warehousing capabilities across 14 Pacific Island Countries and Timor-Leste via three areas of intervention – warehousing infrastructure, supplies (non-food items) and warehousing systems, including integration into local and regional humanitarian architecture. The program is framed by three thematic priorities – Gender equality, disability and social inclusion; localization; and green humanitarian action. By the end of the eight-year period, it is expected that Pacific Island Countries and Timor-Leste are able to respond to disasters increasingly independently and sustainably.

The role – Programme Strategy Adviser – Humanitarian Warehousing Warehouse Programme will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies and action plans and ensuring their coherent integration across all elements of PHWP delivery, with a focus on gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), localisation, and green humanitarian action and climate and disaster resilience.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Strategy design and integration   

• Design and deliver pragmatic, adaptive, evidence-based whole of programme and country-based programme strategies and action plans to ensure the promotion of, and achievement of positive outcomes toward, GEDSI, Climate and Disaster Resilience, Localization and Green Humanitarian Action; Lead annual reviews to ensure ongoing relevance of each strategy and action plan.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure strategies are seamlessly integrated across all aspects of PHWP programming fostering a holistic and collaborative approach.
• Develop and lead training and capacity-strengthening initiatives to support the integration of cross-cutting issues at the whole-of-programme and country level.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement    

• Take ownership of the Policy Dialogue Matrix to guide the programme’s policy engagement process, emphasising anticipatory action, sustainability, regional and sectoral coordination, and mainstreaming disaster preparedness.
• Forge relationships with internal SPC stakeholders (subject-matter experts), donors, participating countries, civil society actors, the private sector, universities, and CROP agencies to inform the policy development and implementation process.
• Represent PHWP at external events, forums, panels and working groups to share best practices, promote thought leadership efforts and remain abreast of emerging trends.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Develop and implement monitoring mechanisms to track the progress and impact of strategies and action plans. Provide technical assistance to the MEL team and implementing partners to develop, track, and report effectiveness against GEDSI, Climate and Disaster Resilience, and Localisation indicators, and disaggregate data by gender to facilitate analysis; Provide recommendations for amendments or pivots as required.
• Prepare high-quality written material (reports, presentations, and documentation) to communicate programme strategies. Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and contribute to organizational learning through the documentation of best practices and lessons learned.

Management and Leadership

• Contributes to a team environment that is high-performing, respectful and committed to continuous learning.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to other programme teams within PHWP, DCRP and the GEM Division more broadly. Offer expertise and support in strategic decision-making processes.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in law, international development, international relations, political science, gender, climate, or related field.

Technical expertise

• At least 7-8 years of relevant experience at the regional or international level in a strategic planning, programme management or advisory role for donor-funded projects or programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in the design, development or implementation of sectoral policies and strategies, in one or more of the following areas – GEDSI, localisation or climate and disaster resilience.
• Broad understanding of the development context and the challenges and opportunities that frame programme implementation within the Pacific.
• Experience in monitoring and responding to sectoral policy changes and adaptive programme management.
• A collaborative and open communication style with strong interpersonal and influencing capabilities to build relationships across different stakeholder groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including an ability to effectively communicate complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-based environment and supervise junior staff and consultants.
• Experience in successfully working within a deadline-driven environment.
• Fully functional computer skills across an array of Microsoft applications including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.    

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Programme Strategy Adviser – Humanitarian Warehousing Warehouse Programme 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 4,111–5,138; 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 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.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 28 April 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000617

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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):

1. Can you describe the approach you would take to integrate environmental sustainability and clean energy considerations into a program strategy and action plan for the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program?
2. How would you envision integrating disability-inclusive practices and accessibility considerations into the design and implementation of humanitarian warehousing strategies within the Pacific region?
3. Describe your approach to stakeholder engagement and collaboration in the context of humanitarian programs, particularly focusing on building partnerships with local communities, government entities, the Red Cross movement, CROP agencies and international organizations in the Pacific region to develop and implement program strategies.