Climate Finance Adviser

• Noumea-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the 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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 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 Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme (CCES) was established to enable SPC to strengthen and streamline its actions on climate change by bringing together work already undertaken by the organisation under a coherent strategic and technical leadership. In addition, it leads the actions of SPC on climate change and environmental sustainability, works with the Organisation’s regional and international partners and promotes the integration of these issues into all development activities conducted by the Organisation’s divisions.

The role – the Climate Finance Adviser will be responsible for the following key responsibilities:

1. Support the Pacific island countries in the identification, development and design of GCF & AF projects

• Provide strategic advice to the Pacific island countries eligible to GCF & AF funding on how SPC can support them in developing and implementing projects.
• Upon countries requests, support the identification, development and design of GCF projects.
• Strengthen SPC’s role as an implementing agency for GCF readiness projects in the region.
• Collaborate on the project development work conducted by the Climate Finance Project Officer.
• Support in maintaining smooth and close collaboration with institutional and technical partners involved with GCF & AF project development in the Pacific region.

2. Provide technical guidance, awareness and training to SPC’s divisions on GCF & AF projects development

• Provide training and information to SPC’s divisions regarding the GCF and, pending accreditation, the AF, their policies, their modalities and the various projects development requirements.
• Provide SPC’s divisions with up-to-date information on GCF & AF projects development and countries priorities in the region.

3. Support the Climate Finance Coordinator in liaison and engagement between SPC and the GCF, AF and other donors

• Support the Climate Finance Coordinator in the development, review and implementation of GCF, AF and other climate change donors’ engagement and work plans.
• Support the accreditation and re-accreditation processes for the GCF, AF and other climate change donors.
• Actively participate in GCF, AF and other climate change global programming or regional events.
• Provide technical support to the Climate Finance Coordinator on design, development and implementation of a regional programmatic approach to climate change.

4. Support the Climate Finance Coordinator in providing strategic advice to the CCES programme to support SPC's work on climate change, particularly regarding the operations of the Climate Finance Unit

• Support the Climate Finance Coordinator in providing strategic advice on the development and operations of CCES and the CFU, and in managing the operations of the Climate Finance Unit including budget, procurement, communication, MEL, etc.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Climate Finance Officer on the operations of the CFU and contributions to the CCES programme.

5. Coordinate the management and implementation of CFU-led climate change projects

• Support in coordinating the implementation of CFU-led climate change projects.
• Ad-hoc support to the Climate Finance Adviser, Climate Finance Coordinator, CCES director and other SPC divisions in the management and implementation of climate change projects.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Master degree qualification in a relevant field relating to sustainable development and climate change (environmental sciences or management, economics, finance or business administration).

2. Technical expertise

• Around 7 years of practical experience in the ODA and climate change areas.
• Around 3-5 years of experience in large (over 5 million Euros) climate change project management and/or development.
• Proven experience in grants writing.
• 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.
• Proven track record in organizing, facilitating and presenting in workshops and seminars.
• Demonstrated competence in being well organized, works effectively under minimal supervision, able to multi-task, and effectively meet deadlines on multiple, and sometimes urgent requests for support.

3. Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• 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.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until August 2024 and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.

Remuneration – the Climate Finance Adviser is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,490–4,267 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 510,921-624,563 (USD 4,852–5,931; EUR 4,282–5,234). 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 is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. 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 bilinguism, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 11 July 2021 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: SH000069

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

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

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

Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. In your opinion, what are 2 or 3 of the key issues to watch for when developing a GCF project?
2. If you were given 1 hour to brief and train the SPC Fisheries team on opportunities with Climate Finance and the GCF, what would be the plan/outline of your proposed presentation? Kindly give the titles and a brief description for each of those parts.