Papua New Guinea: Provincial Project Associate - Milne bay

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

Papua New Guinea (PNG) joined the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in 2012, embarking on a partnership to foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth. GGGI's presence in PNG, established in 2018, supports the government's integration of climate-resilient green growth (CRGG) strategies and the execution of green growth projects through mobilization of climate finance and investments.

The GGGI PNG main office is embedded within the Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA), government of PNG, with presence in the Center of Excellence for Financial Inclusion at the Central Bank of Papua New Guinea, and at the sub-national level within Enga, New Ireland, and Milne Bay Provincial Government Administrations. GGGI PNG Program is scaling up its activities with the support from Australia, New Zealand, USA, and France for inclusive green economic growth for PNG over the next five years with a target to mobilize USD 500 million in climate investments and scale up climate resilience and green growth planning at national and subnational levels. 

GGGI PNG currently has seven national and five regional active projects, with the four-year AUD 20 million Australian DFAT-funded Climate FIRST project as its flagship initiative. Launched in March 2024 and concluding in February 2028, Climate FIRST is poised to expand PNG's access to climate finance. It focuses on engaging seven provinces sub-nationally and bolstering the institutional capacity and coordination necessary for mobilizing climate finance. The project aspires to scale up PNG’s access to climate finance through global climate funds, innovative financing mechanisms, increased private sector climate financing and investments, and the development of MSMEs in green businesses.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Provincial Project Associate will be based in Milne Bay Province and  acts as a crucial liaison between the provincial government and GGGI, coordinating the implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation projects. This role involves project management, data analysis, stakeholder coordination, and capacity building to support PNG's climate targets. The Associate will work closely with the Provincial Project Officer, Country Office, and local stakeholders to enhance project delivery and foster effective collaborations.

PURPOSE

The provincial Project Associate will be the liaison agent of the provincial government. S/he will be responsible for but not limited to: 

• Project Implementation: coordinate and ensure quality on the implementation of project deliveries on the field.  This may include gathering and analyzing data, while monitoring project outputs, as well as providing necessary technical assistance to relevant stakeholders when required. As well as managing logistical arrangements and stakeholder coordination, when needed.
• Capacity building:  support and facilitate the creation of material that will enable the provincial government administration to develop institutional memory on relevant project thematic areas. As well as compiling thorough case studies and other illustrative materials which give practical guidance to project development.

ENGAGEMENT

As the liaison agent, in close collaboration with the Provincial Project Officer of Milne Bay Province, and the Country Office, and the provincial government. The PPA will, but is not limited to:

• Serve as the organization's focal point for provincial government counterparts, fostering effective relationships and collaboration.
• Enhance the organization's visibility in the province as a trusted advisor to the Government of Papua New Guinea, facilitating discussions between the Government and stakeholders.
• Acquire data and information through participation in PNG program and project assessments to inform program and project design, development, and implementation.

DELIVERY

The PPA will be expected to:

• Monitor and report to the PPO Morobe and relevant project manager(s) the progress and completion of project activities and expenditures related to the province on a regular basis where required (monthly, quarterly, six-monthly, annual).
• Organize analytical work to ensure timely delivery of project goals, in line with the project program plans.
• Support the project manager(s) in preparing project workplans and budgets, including monitoring and reporting plans that are relevant to the province on a regular basis where required (monthly, quarterly, six-monthly, annual).
• Understand project methodologies and provide a wide range of contributions supporting delivery of components/workstreams in the PNG country program activities. 
• Assess delivery issues in consultation with the provincial counterparts to build common understanding and coordination of PNG Program and project activities in the province.
• Work closely with the GGGI teams including internal staff in country, regional and headquarter levels, and consultants and firms to ensure the design and delivery of high-quality program and project activities in a timely fashion. 
• Work closely with project team stakeholders in the province to develop and disseminate project products that are relevant for the provinces.
• Capture, collect, analyze, and present data and information, including lessons learned, best practices, success stories, and project outcomes in the province.
•  Utilize technical skills to acquire and analyze information from diverse sources to support the delivery of high-quality outputs.
• Contribute to maintaining a database of data and information of external and internal stakeholders, and collect, develop, and disseminate information relevant to the type of stakeholders in the province.
• Support the organizing of climate change meetings related to the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of country program and project activities (including among others, the Climate FIRST project activities, outputs, and outcomes in the province). 
• Support administration and logistics of meetings relevant to the GGGI PNG program and project activities in the province. 

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field. A Master's degree is advantageous.
• Three to five years of experience in sustainable development, green growth, or climate change, especially in Papua New Guinea or similar regions.
• Familiarity with provincial government systems and policies is essential.
• Knowledge of national and provincial development, climate change policies, social and environmental safeguards, and inclusive development, is a must.
• Experience working with government ministries/agencies, private sector, NGOs, and communities is advantageous.
• Experience with community engagement, particularly with indigenous groups, and integrated village development, is an advantage.
• Previous work or residency in the province is highly preferred.
• Experience in designing, preparing, or implementing small-scale income-generating activities is beneficial.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is a must, with knowledge of Tok Pisin being desirable.
• Awareness of child safety policies.
• Understanding of the requirements and procedures of international financing institutions and donors.

FUNCTIONAL

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision to meet tight deadlines. 
• 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.
• Innovative thinker, able to see opportunities across different sectors/disciplines.
• Anticipate and provide necessary technical and content-based support.
• Willingness to relocate to one of the 3 target provinces and ability to travel within the province and to Port Moresby when needed.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary teams; has stakeholder engagement, client relationship, and consensus building skills.

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Excels at problem solving, ask questions and seeks support when needed, easily shares information and knowledge with others both internally as externally.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills; including public speaking.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is an X6, national grade level in GGGI's salary scale. For X6 PNG national grade, the base salary starts from USD 21,136. Determination of base salary is subject to candidate's experience, academic background and internal equity. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision. 

GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members