*The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Manager Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme in the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme. This position will be located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.*
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 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 Manager Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme will support the Director CCES, mainly in managing operations and services of the Program, in particular in terms of liaising with SPC internal services and requirements, coordinating with divisions and partners, and contributing to the oversight of the Program’s initiatives and projects. The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Operations and management of the Program
• Lead the overall business planning of CCES – review and update the business plan, propose implementation modalities, monitor its execution in close collaboration with OMD services ;
• Coordinate and finalize reporting requirements of the Program, ensuring both projects reporting and overall CCES results reporting in close collaboration with SPL ;
• Support overall communication of CCES, liaising with the Communication Unit and building upon the work of the CCES Information and Knowledge office ;
• Lead and support the HR and recruitment processes at CCES ; • Oversee the budget planning of CCES, prepares quarterly overview and monitor program financial implementation in close collaboration with CCES Projects’ managers and SPC Finance division.
Programme Management and Technical Oversight
• Provide leadership, engagement and operational guidance to contribute to the effective delivery of multi partner projects within CCES, liaising with other implementing partners, SPC project teams recruited under these projects and SPC divisions, as appropriate ;
• Provide supervision of project level reporting and reviews to ensure project activities and budgets are executed in accordance with contractual requirements and approved budgets ;
• Resolve operational and technical problems and . Ensure risks are effectively managed
• Enhance collaboration with project partners;
• Ensure that monitoring, evaluation and learning activities and methods are incorporated into project implementation or service delivery ;
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of any SPC policies and procedures or changes and ensure that they are appropriately applied; • Foster collaboration with other SPC divisions to maximize impact and relevance of the projects and promote integrated programming.
Deputize the CCES Director, as appropriate
• Represent CCES Director in regional coordinating mechanisms, CROP-led specific meetings and other conferences concerning Climate Change, in particular feeding into the FRDP PRP governance arrangements, WARD and DPCC, as appropriate ;
• Participate in conveying SPC’s positioning, results, outputs and lessons learned on climate change to outside audiences ;
• Maintain strong linkages and relations with other CROP agencies, donors and funding partners to ensure a coordinated response to Pacific climate change Island needs ;
• Contribute to, drive and/or support mobilisation of initiatives and development of project proposals targeting climate finance funding agencies, in particular GCF, as led by and to the benefit of divisions.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
1. Qualifications
• A Master’s degree in a relevant subject area.
2. Technical expertise
• At least 10 years of demonstrated management experience of natural resource management or development work ;
• Demonstrated experience in project and financial management, and demonstrated ability to manage professional, technical, and programme support staff in a team environment ;
• Demonstrated experience in relationship building and working with a wide variety of donors and development partners with awareness of their priorities and positioning ;
• Practical work experience in a developing country environment preferably in the Pacific Island Region ;
• Proven ability to influence work collegially and in partnership with stakeholders and internal partners towards an agreed outcome ;
3. Language skills
• For English speakers, a fluent working knowledge of French, or for French speakers, a fluent working knowledge of English
4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a collaborative, inclusive mindset and leadership,
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness, and the ability to effectively work with team members from different cultural backgrounds,
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
Salary, terms and conditions
Required start date – As soon as possible
Contract Duration – This position is budgeted for three years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.
Remuneration – the Manager Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme is a Band 12 position in SPC’s 2020 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,685–5,760 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 689,925–848,231 (USD 6,465–7,948; EUR 5,782–7,108). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be 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 relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance, and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.
Equal opportunity – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit; in cases where two short-listed candidates are judged to be of equal rank by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.
Child protection – SPC is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. SPC’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Police clearance – Successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate.
How to apply:
Application procedure
Closing date: 18 March 2020 @ 11:00 pm Noumea Time.
Job Reference: AL000267
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:
What are, in your opinion, three of the priority themes for increasing the resilience of Pacific countries and territories to global and climate change?
Climate change is considered a significant threat to economic development and the achievement of sustainable development goals in the Pacific region. What do you see as the main linkages between climate change and development?
What tools and approaches do you think are essential in a project management cycle?