Adviser Regional Policy and Coordination for Resilience to Climate change & Disaster

• Exciting international development programme
• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Adviser – Regional Policy and Coordination for Resilience to Climate Change and Disasters, located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.

Description

The Pacific Community 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 surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Division – The division has three technical work programmes: Geoscience for Development, Water and Sanitation, and Disaster Reduction. Its services to SPC’s members include assessments of the potential of ocean and onshore mineral resources, maritime boundary data collection, coastal protection and management, geo-hazard assessment, and technical advice and assistance in the areas of water, waste-water, sanitation, disaster risk management, mapping and surveying (including GIS and remote sensing) and natural resources economics.

The Role - The Adviser is responsible to the Deputy Director-General – Suva, through the Manager of the Disaster Reduction Programme (DRP) for providing technical advice and support to facilitate the regional and internal coordination as well as policy advice and implementation for resilience to climate change and disasters. The purpose of the position is to: coordinate, facilitate and provide support for the implementation of the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) and SPC’s role in the Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP); support Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) through policy review and development; and coordinate Post Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNAs).

The incumbent will be responsible specifically for:

• Project management of SPC’s role in regional governance coordination for FRDP implementation through SPC’s role in the Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP);
• Support to coordinate actions within SPC to build resilience to climate change and disasters;
• Technical advice and support to implement the FRDP and other climate change and DRM policies and plans;
• Support and advice to PICTs for policy development, review and governance related to climate change and DRM;
• Facilitation and coordination of regional PDNAs; and
• Support to climate change and disaster data collection and management.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field relating to policy, governance, disaster risk management, or climate change

2. Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of practical experience at regional level in governance coordination, monitoring and evaluation, PDNA, and developing and providing policy advice and support to PICTs
• Experience in the design, organisation, delivery, monitoring and review of institutional strengthening and capacity building programmes
• Experience in project design, development and management
• Understanding of issues related to disaster risk management and climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Pacific
• Coordination, convening and facilitation skills for regional governance mechanisms including meetings, taskforce, working groups and conferences
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting at a regional and organisational level
• Coordination and collaboration with partners for the development of PDNAs
• Ability to provide policy advice and support in relation to climate change and DRM policies, plans and legislation
• Working knowledge of DRM and climate change issues in the Pacific

3. Essential skills

• Demonstrated work in multicultural environments
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work without supervision
• Ability to work as part of a small team, with a high level of interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills for briefings, presentations, training and workshops
• Strong writing and analytical skills for development of reports, conference papers, briefing papers and strategic communications
• Proactive relationship building and stakeholder liaison skills as well as ability to undertake tasks collaboratively with partner organisations

4. Language skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential to communicate with member country governments and other regional and international organisations and other stakeholders
• Working knowledge of French would be an advantage

5. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Good interpersonal skills
• A team player with the ability to network and work effectively in a multicultural setting
• Cultural sensitivity and a strong awareness of Pacific region issues relating to vulnerability to ongoing stressors and extreme events
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Three years

Required start date – This position is expected to be filled by 1 September 2017.

Remuneration – The Adviser – Regional Policy and Coordination for Resilience to Climate Change and Disasters is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2017 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,884–3,605 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,422–10,527 (USD 4,009–5,011; EUR 3,647–4,558). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being 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 staff employees based in FIJI – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170–2,625 per month. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and 30 days of sick leave per annum, 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.

As an equal-opportunity employer, SPC recruits on merit; however if two interviewed candidates are ranked equally by the selection committee, preference will be given to nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories.

Application procedure

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, containing the contact details of three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

All international positions at SPC have specific screening questions.  Please ensure that you respond to all the screening questions.  If you do not respond to the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.