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 27 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 coordinate implementation of CFU-led climate change projects and provide technical guidance, awareness and training on operations, requirements and development processes of climate change projects.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Support eligible Pacific Island countries in the identification, development and design of GCF, AF and other climate change projects

• Provide strategic advice to Pacific Island countries eligible to GCF, AF and other sources of climate finance on SPC’s support for developing projects, including readiness, mitigation and adaptation projects.
• Upon countries’ requests, advise on the identification, development and design of GCF, AF and other climate change projects.
• Lead collaboration with SPC technical divisions to secure funding for SPC-executed projects.
• Strengthen SPC’s role as an accredited / implementing entity for GCF, AF and other climate change projects in the Pacific region.

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

• Lead project supervision in the accredited / implementing entity function to ensure project activities comply with funding requirements.
• Engage Project Management Units (PMUs) to ensure development of and adherence to detailed project plans and budget.
• Lead upstream and downstream engagement from SPC to donors as well as executing entities, through regular meetings and communication.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation frameworks track performance and prepare progress reports for donors in a timely manner, in coordination with CFU and project monitoring and evaluation personnel.
• Organise and lead project inception phases.

Provide technical guidance, awareness and training to key stakeholders on operations, requirements and development processes of climate change projects

• Provide training, information and technical guidance to SPC’s divisions, governments, PMUs and other key stakeholders on policies, modalities and project development and implementation requirements for the GCF, AF and other climate change donors.
• Provide SPC’s divisions with up-to-date information on GCF, AF and other climate change donor project development and implementation as well as countries’ climate change priorities.
• Facilitate the delivery of technical assistance from the GCF and other sources of support on relevant technical subjects, as necessary.

Support the Climate Finance Coordinator in liaison and engagement between SPC and the GCF, AF and other donors on climate change projects

• Support SPC’s dialogue and engagement with the GCF, AF and other climate change donors.
• Support the accreditation, re-accreditation and accreditation upgrades processes for the GCF, AF and other climate change donors.
• Actively participate in GCF, AF and other climate change programming events and meetings.

Line management and mentorship of the Climate Finance Officer and other CFU staff

• Set clear performance goals, conduct regular reviews, and support professional development for the Climate Finance Officer.
• Oversee the Climate Finance Officer’s planning and execution of tasks, ensuring alignment with CFU objectives and priorities.
• Facilitate effective communication to engage CFU colleagues in the CFU’s operational network.
• Foster a collaborative environment, encourage teamwork, and provide mentorship to help the CFU colleagues achieve their goals.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

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

Technical expertise

• Around 7 years of practical experience in the ODA and climate change areas.
• Around 3-5 years of experience in large (over USD 5 million) climate change project management and/or development.
• Proven experience in project development and implementation for GCF, AF or other multilateral sources of climate finance.
• Sound knowledge of issues related to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Prior experience in managing projects in complex institutional settings with numerous partners including design, organisation, delivery and oversight of project activities.
• Excellent drafting and writing skills including for a variety of reports and audiences
• Proven track record in organising, facilitating and presenting in workshops, trainings and seminars.
• 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 objectives.
• Demonstrated competence in being well organised, working effectively with minimal supervision, able to multi-task, and effectively meet deadlines on multiple and sometimes urgent requests for support.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Excellent interpersonal skills in the multicultural environment of the Pacific Islands.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Climate Finance Adviser is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,206-5,161 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 622,159-763,470 (USD 5,594-6,865; EUR 5,214-6,398). 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 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 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: 6 October 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000278

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

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.

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. Please describe the major priorities for building resilience to climate change in the Pacific?
2. What would you say are the main challenges when developing a Green Climate Fund project for a Pacific Island country?
3. What are the key considerations to include during post-approval processes with multilateral climate funds?