Job Description

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• 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 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 Programme – Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme (CCES) was established to support SPC in strengthening and streamlining its climate change initiatives by consolidating the existing climate change work of SPC under strategic and technical management. In addition, CCES provides leadership in SPC’s climate change and environmental sustainability actions, coordinates and liaises with regional and international partners coherently for the organisation and enhances mainstreaming of the issue within its divisional development work.

The role – The Climate Change Adaptation Specialist will assist in the screening, assessment and development of country requests pertaining to climate change Adaptation issues, in particular NDC enhancement and implementation. The specialist will lead and coordinate the implementation of country requests in the area of Adaptation, collaborate with SPC divisions, programme and flagships and other relevant partners.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Climate Adaptation project development and screening

• In context of the NDC Hub, lead the identification, review, and development of climate change Adaptation related activities at the NDC hub.
• Identify potential climate change Adaptation projects in alignment with national and regional NDC priorities.
• Provide recommendations and advisory services to countries and the NDC Hub implementation unit in the field of climate change Adaptation.
• Coordinate active synergies and collaboration with SPC technical divisions (including GEM, SDD, LRD, FAME, PHD, HRSD and CCES team leads), on climate change Adaptation priorities and activities.
• Assist countries in identifying relevant areas of gaps and needs to enhance climate change Adaptation targets and delivery.
• Coordinate with NDC Hub focal points, implementing partners and relevant stakeholders to gather necessary data and insights for project development.

Lead the project implementation and reporting

• Lead technical advisory and project implementation including consultation of focal points, procurement, technical backstopping and implementation, on streams of work under climate change Adaptation
• Advise on avenues for project delivery and secure the relevant expertise: external (through procurement of consultancies) or internal (SPC experts through time sheets).
• Organise and coordinate the implementation of the activities, including field missions, workshops and training.
• Document the process of implementation and lessons learned in the delivery of the country activities, for the purpose of dissemination of learnings.
• Ensure the monitoring & evaluation of the country request.
• Ensure the implementation of all activities are inclusive of gender, human rights and environmental considerations.

Capacity Building

• Identify, assess and lead support capacity development and training needs requirements under climate change Adaptation for project beneficiaries.
• Identify opportunities for regional activities to support needs expressed by one or more Pacific countries.
• Provide strategic advice and expertise to the NDC Hub partners in supporting their implementation of country requests.
• Support the organization of regional dialogues to share experience in enhancing NDCs.
• Promote NDC Hub’s dialogue with countries, partners and financing institutions.
• Coordinate and organise appropriate training exercises for the benefit of PICTs.
• Provide technical guidance, awareness and training to the NDC Hub partners and beneficiary countries in the area of climate change Adaptation.

Support the Pacific NDC Hub Implementation Unit in all issues pertaining to climate change Adaptation

• Support SPC engagement in UNFCCC and CROP activities to promote and support Pacific interests arising from the work of the NDC Hub, as well as emerging issues.
• Serve as a technical contributor for project development activities through contributing to proposal development, conceptualizing technical approaches.
• Ensure that climate change Adaptation data and information is captured into the data & information portal of the NDC Hub.
• Maintain timely, high quality of the project implementation delivery, monitoring of results, and reporting requirements to the donors on climate change adaptation and contribute to the NDC Hub overall reporting and monitoring.
• Support SPC under the Climate Change Flagship in leading, developing and implementing inter-divisional programmes that mainstream climate change across the whole organisation.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree qualification in a relevant subject relating to climate change, environment, project development, science

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years relevant climate change experience in NDC Adaptation related areas, preferably within the Pacific region
• Practical experience in technical advisory, oversight and implementation of PIC’s NDC projects
• Practical experience in climate change Adaptation project development and/or design, particularly those related to country NDC’s
• Experience in day-to-day engagement with Government ministries and agencies
• Experience in engaging with other stakeholders (private sector, NGOs, development partners, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to build and strengthen partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance on climate change Adaptation aspects
• Strong technical advisory, analytical and problem-solving skills relating to climate change Adaptation sectors (energy, transport, others)
• Experience in organizing consultations, validation meetings, workshops and capacity building events at the national and regional level
• 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

Language skills

• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communications skills in English are essential as well as excellent team building and interpersonal skills

  Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This position is budgeted until 31 August 2027.

Remuneration – The Climate Change Adaptation Specialist is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,672–9,591 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,191–3,989). 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 10% 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: 20 October 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: CR000295

Applicants must apply online at

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. What experience do you have in conducting capacity-building activities, such as workshops or training, specifically focused on climate change adaptation in sectors?
2. How do you ensure that climate change adaptation projects address gender sensitivity, human rights, and environmental sustainability as per organizational policies?
3. Can you provide an example of a climate change adaptation projects you have developed or implemented, particularly one related to NDCs in the Pacific region?

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