Program Officer, Papua New Guinea

The Program Officer works closely with the Country Representative to support the overall management of the CRGG program while also being directly responsible for the delivery of technical outputs. The position, therefore, requires an individual with both operational and technical expertise, as outlined below.

• Operational skills: CRGG is a large program, spanning multiple provinces with a timeframe of several years and correspondingly high number of deliverables. The Program Officer – as a key staff of the Country Representative – must be capable of (1) monitoring overall program progress, (2) identifying potential risks / issues to successful completion, and (3) advising the Country Representative of viable solutions (as well as supporting the execution thereof). The Program Officer will also support the Country Representative in communicating / coordinating with and reporting to PNG government stakeholders, GGGI HQ, and foreign donors, along with deliberations of other strategic matters regarding the operation of GGGI PNG office.

• Technical expertise: The Program Officer, under close supervision of the Country Representative, will provide day-to-day technical support internally as well as to relevant government counterparts to implement the Climate Resilient Green Growth program in PNG. The position carries out analytical work related to his / her technical expertise and provides a wide range of contributions in support of delivery of components / workstreams in the country program. Specifically, the Program Officer must be familiar with climate change adaptation and the planning / designing of relevant activities. The Program Officer will be directly responsible for applying his / her specialized conceptual knowledge and judgement to produce technical deliverables, such as climate change adaptation plans based on a thorough risk assessment and prioritization of activities.

Purpose 

• Operations: Support the Country Representative in

1. Monitoring overall progress (i.e. technical deliverables and budget disbursement) and identifying / resolving issues.
2. Communicating and coordinating with PNG government stakeholders, GGGI HQ, and foreign donors.
3. Internal reporting and reporting to PNG government stakeholders, GGGI HQ, and foreign donors.
4. Other strategic matters regarding the operations of GGGI PNG office.

• Technical: Implement a specific component of CRGG program through, among others,

1. Compiling research case studies and other materials.
2. Performing quantitative and qualitative analyses through primary / secondary data.
3. Preparing technical reports and summary presentations.
4. Communicating, on a regular basis, interim results to stakeholders to secure their buy-in.
5. Supporting the delivery of other components by providing technical input as needed.

Engagement 

• Internal: Support the Country Representative by

1. Facilitating a regular and concise reporting of progress / issues among team members.
2. Ensuring that staff within and without Port Moresby (i.e. staff in the provinces and GGGI HQ) are working together as an effective team.
3. Becoming proficient, as quickly as possible, in using GGGI’s enterprise software for results reporting and other operational matters (e.g. project cycle management).

• External: Support the Country Representative by

1. Building rapport with working-level staff in stakeholder organizations for prompt communication of requests, concerns, and other information.
2. Engaging in stakeholder mapping and facilitating discussions between investors, government, and various stakeholders.
3. Applying technical skills to acquire relevant information / knowledge from a variety of sources which are often difficult to access, in support of delivery of a good quality output.
4. Conducting rigorous quality control on all major communication materials.

Delivery 

• The position understands the project cycle and is able to organize his/her analytical work to ensure that deliverables are provided in a timely manner to support subsequent work and consistent with the workplan and project cycle.
• Assesses delivery issues and works with national counterparts to build common understanding and coordination on project activities.

Requirements 

Qualifications 

• Advanced academic degree in the field of (Agricultural / Mechanical / Civil / Environmental) Engineering, (Agricultural / Biological / Environmental / Hydrological / Marine / Plant) Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics, or Economics and/or a combination of thereof.
• At least five years relevant experience or its equivalent in policy, planning, techno-economic analysis or engineering.
• Overall understanding of the concept of green growth and climate change vulnerability in the context of developing countries.
• Experience in project cycle management, including using online systems and software for project management and reporting.
• Experience in day-to-day engagement with Government ministries / agencies and other stakeholders (private sector, NGOs, communities).
• Experience of requirements and procedures of international financing institutions, bilateral donors/organizations or multilateral organizations.
• Experience applying participatory approaches, gender, environmental and social inclusion safeguards.
• Experience working in PNG or other states in Melanesia is an advantage.
• Experience in design, preparation and/or implementation of small-scale income-generating activities for islands is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and excellent report writing skills are essential

Functional 

• Leadership, team work and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently while following agreed work plans and instructions.
• 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 and ability to travel.

Corporate 

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote the best 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.