Project Coordinator, Safe and Sustainable Drinking Water for Kiritimati Island Project

• Kiribati-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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime – Driving growth in blue economies through well-informed and inclusive action from integrated solutions for ocean and coastal management and maritime and transport.
2. Geo-resources and Energy – Strengthening the management of the Earth’s non-living resources through responsible harnessing of mineral resources, including metalliferous and development minerals, and clean and renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, and geothermal for sustainable development.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience – Improving resilience and sustainability through the management of disaster risk and adapting to climate change. This includes building resilience through wider support for climate change, disaster risk management (DRM) initiatives, and water and sanitation initiatives. The RENI project falls within this programming area.
4. The other two focus areas within this division are Programming and Operations, which is responsible for driving integrated programming excellence and operational support across the division, and Geo-informatics, which is responsible for providing diverse, integrated, and unique and demand driven services across SPC work programmes, projects and countries. This includes developing, managing, building on and retaining or preserving spatial data and information for the benefit of all scientific areas.

The role – the Project Coordinator – Safe and Sustainable Drinking Water for Kiritimati Island Project will be responsible for the overall project management and delivery of the Safe and Sustainable Drinking Water for Kiritimati Island project. This includes project management, procurement, team coordination, oversight of financial management, performance and reporting, risk management and the provision of high-level advice to participating Kiribati Government Ministries, partners and SPC. In doing so the Project Coordinator will lead project team members and work closely with selected SPC technical division staff, international, national and local development partners, national and local counterparts and contracted Technical Assistance. 

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Overall leadership and governance of the Kiritimati Island Water Project

• Strategic leadership of the project at all levels, and development of effective working relationships.
• Establishment and maintenance of the resources, systems and enabling environments needed for effective Project implementation.
• Day-to-day management, implementation and coordination of all Project activities.
• Oversight and management of all funded services, supplies and equipment.
• Effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of Project implementation.

2. Effective coordination and management of agreed Project deliverables

• Effective coordination of Project establishment and essential start-up activities Prepare a risk-based audit Coordination and delivery of initial resource assessments and urgent maintenance works.
• Coordination and delivery of detailed activity designs and costings.
• Initiation and coordination of required studies and assessments.
• Coordination of Project construction works, including: preparation of Requests for Proposals for major works, equipment and materials; undertaking procurement process and finalising contracts; and securing and managing all necessary contracts.

3. Provision of high-level support to institutional strengthening and capacity development

• Provide high-level support, guidance and oversight for implementation of multi-sector capacity development programme.
• Support GoK to implement agreed institutional improvement programmes.
• Strengthen GoK capacity to manage water supply systems.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree from a recognised institution, and/or equivalent work experience, in a discipline relevant to project management, international development, water resources management, geosciences, engineering, construction, surveying, community development, and/or another relevant field.  

2. Technical expertise

• At least 10 years in the management of complex infrastructure projects, including for the augmentation of water supply infrastructure and for projects carried out in remote locations, preferably in a Pacific Island Country environment.
• Thorough understanding of project management including project cycles, log-frames, and risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to work in isolation, while effectively maintaining necessary consultation and reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated skills in leadership, coordination and the mentoring of staff.
• A demonstrated proficiency in meeting the monitoring and reporting requirements of development partners such as the EU.
• Demonstrated experience managing a high volume and high dollar value procurement.
• Excellent computer skills across necessary applications

3. Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written), including report writing and preparation of communicative presentation materials.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years 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 Project Coordinator – Safe and Sustainable Drinking Water for Kiritimati Island Project is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2020 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,397-5,423 per month, which converts to approximately AUD 8,750-10,792. 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.

Benefits for international staff employees based in Kiribati – SPC provides housing allowances, 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.

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: 7 February 2021 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time).

Job Reference: SH000040

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. Describe an example in which you have been responsible for the coordination of a complex infrastructure project in a remote location, and what you feel were some of the key factors of success.
2. In your experience, what are the most difficult challenges in managing the financial and procurement processes associated with donor-funded projects, and what approaches have you utilised in addressing these?
3. Describe some approaches and tools that you have used to ensure the effective and impactful reporting of project outcomes to beneficiaries and donors.