Senior Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network Project Management Officer (PGEN)

Project Description         

GGGI’s Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) project supports the development of new business ideas that contribute to addressing challenges to the sustainable development of Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. This project aims to prepare youth in designing green business concepts that can help Pacific countries meet their emissions reductions and other climate change and green growth goals while creating green jobs and developing local green industries.

GGGI is delivering a corresponding project in the Caribbean region in partnership with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.

Purpose

The purpose of this role is to enable the scaling up of green entrepreneurship across the Pacific region, through developing a platform to identify innovative green entrepreneurs and support them to design and implement their business ideas. The selected candidate will enable the development of solid business plans by providing training, advice and on the job support. The business plans will be submitted for scale up funding, where those successful will be supported through mentorship and training – resulting in projects that will provide both profits and a social good. This role will require sound knowledge of how to take ideas through from concept to a fully fledged business, as well as expertise in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders from the private, public, and civil society sectors.

• Develops mechanisms that support entrepreneurs in generating and further developing innovative green business ideas that align with national development priorities and can be promoted to the private sector and donor community.
• Establish a platform that provides Pacific entrepreneurs with training and mentorship opportunities, as well as access to grant funding that supports for green start-up businesses.
• Review and improve on business plans for innovation, readiness for receiving seed funding and impact linked to GGGI strategic Objectives.
• Present the finalized business plans to Government Stakeholders, Private sector players, GGGI pacific and HQ management and get their buy in for providing support to the selected Entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
• Capture the essence and needs of the project and ensure optimal progress and delivery of component/outputs. Show immediate results and actions on the ground as well as ability to focus on longer term outcomes.

Engagement

• Facilitate in-depth and effective consultations with entrepreneurial groups in target countries and across disciplines/sectors relevant to the project components/work streams and build strong relationships with engaged entrepreneurs to support participation and progression with PGEN activities.
• Develop and foster strong relationships with key government institutions, key private sector institutions including green businesses, relevant academic institutions, and other   key stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of the project
• Deploy strategies to secure collaboration/garner buy-in and support from a diverse range of stakeholders, particularly private-sector, to ensure local ownership of the various analytical outputs
• Help maintaining productive donor partner relationship by assisting with regular reporting and present opportunities to participate in appropriate PGEN activities and outreach.
• Identify, recruit and manage staff and consultants in support of project delivery as appropriate
• Regularly updates and consult with GGGI Country Representatives from the target countries to ensure and enhance project delivery.
• Coordinate and communicate regularly with GGGI colleagues leading the delivery of other green entrepreneurship projects, particularly in the Caribbean region.
• Advise GGGI colleagues and team on opportunities for further engagement in Kiribati
• Promote green growth based on GGGI principles and methodologies with the donor community and other stakeholders.
• Maintain close communication with the technical divisions in HQ on relevant topics to ensure their participation in program delivery for quality outputs.
• Build support and understanding, working closely with national counterparts for application of green growth in development planning.

Delivery

• Develop and implement a workplan to establish and operationalize the Pacific Green Entrepreneurship Network.
• Deliver PGEN activities including the development of an online training program and pool of private-sector mentors, disbursement of start-up funds and growth grants, and knowledge sharing in the Pacific to enable the environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Manage the PGEN’s Incubator program to train participating entrepreneurs, and award and disburse start-up funds to select entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
• Manage the PGEN’s Accelerator program to connect participating entrepreneurs with potential investors and create funding opportunities, and aware and disburse grants to select MSMEs.
• Build the capacity of existing business development bodies and platforms in the Pacific to deliver entrepreneur trainings
• Identify project delivery issues and ensure effective coordination of project activities and resources to ensure attainment of objectives against established timeframes.
• Organize program activities including capacity building workshops, mentorship meetings, and knowledge sharing events, and support in the facilitation of these activities based on yearly/ biannual work programs and budget plans
• Design general and country-specific content to raise awareness on the PGEN project, increase entrepreneurs’ participation in the program, and enhance buy-in among stakeholders. 
• Develop project execution modality and documents across project management cycle per country.
• Develop results reporting of program activities and facilitate internal and external communications
• Capture lessons learned in project management to support refinement/improvement of existing policies and procedures.
•  Ensure deliverables are met in a timely manner to support subsequent work and be consistent with the workplan and project cycle

Requirements

Qualifications

• Advanced academic degree in the field of business management/development, finance, sustainable development and/or a combination of the above (Undergraduate degree may be considered if coupled with relevant experience)
• At least seven years of relevant experience in private-sector engagement, innovation, “start-ups”/business development and/or project implementation in the energy, agriculture, or cities/community development sectors in developing countries/ small island developing states.
• Experience in day-to-day engagement with private-sector, particularly micro and SMEs, and government ministries and agencies
• Experience in identifying and of mobilizing funding opportunities for SMEs
• Experience in engaging with development partners and other stakeholders (NGOs, rural/island communities).
• Experience in project management, policy and planning, research and analysis and project design.
• Experience in applying online platforms to support delivery of project activities such as trainings
• Experience in organizing consultations, validation meetings, workshops, and capacity building events.
• Experience applying participatory approaches, gender, environmental and social inclusion safeguards.
• Experience working in Pacific Island Countries is an advantage.
• Overall understanding of the concept of green growth and climate change vulnerability in the context of developing countries.
• Fluency in English and excellent report writing skills are essential. 

Functional

• Leadership, teamwork, and creative problem-solving abilities
• Excellent multi-cultural literacy and interest in being a part of an international team working in an evolving and entrepreneurial environment
• Excellent communication (both written and oral) and facilitation skills.
• Problem solver, able to find and implement solutions
• Innovative thinker, able to see opportunities across different sectors/disciplines
• Anticipate and provide necessary technical and content-based support
• Willingness to relocate to Suva, Fiji once COVID-19 related travel restrictions have been lifted (if the candidate is currently living outside Suva)
• Willingness and ability to travel within the Pacific.

Corporate

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote the optimum use of public resources
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Process and share information easily.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Be able to lead where needed and support the Country Representative to make sound decisions.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.