The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Senior Adviser, Climate Change Multilateral Agreements within its Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme. This position will be located at its regional office 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 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 Senior Adviser, Climate Change Multilateral Agreements will support the coordination and development of SPC’s overall strategy for international climate change and related environment negotiations. The role will provide the Director CCES with key advice, guidance and support in the areas of climate change priorities of the region addressed in relevant Multilateral Agreements. The role will work under direct supervision of the Director CCES and in close collaboration with section heads and CCES broader team.
Technical and strategic advice and support in the areas of international climate change and environment negotiations
- Provide technical and strategic advice and support in the areas of climate change priorities of the region addressed in relevant Multilateral Agreements.
- Support the coordination and development of SPC’s overall strategy for international climate change and related environment negotiations.
- Support SPC Members’ negotiating efforts ensuring that the SPC delegation is regarded by Leaders, Ministers, senior officials, stakeholders and negotiating partners as credible and effective.
- Provide advice and analysis on the alignment between domestic and regional policy and international climate change obligations and expectations.
- Work closely with the Climate Finance and Resource Mobilisation and Integration capability within SPC to identify SPCs climate change priorities are aligned with and inform relevant climate change efforts in relevant Multilateral Agreements, Financing Mechanisms and opportunities.
- Coordinate SPC’s contribution to the development of well-tailored negotiating mandates and keep pace with developments in the negotiation.
Relationship Management and Representation
- Serve as the technical focal point on international climate change and related environment negotiations for SPC internally, Members and external partners, ensuring a high level of coherence and coordination.
- Support and sometimes lead consultation with key stakeholders to inform SPC’s work in the area of international climate change negotiations, keeping them informed of progress and drawing on their input relevant to particular issues and interests.
- Participate in bilateral and senior official’s talks where climate change is under discussion.
Executive and SLT Support
- Provide advice to the SPC Executive and Senior Leadership Team in engaging with local and foreign media ensuring messaging is appropriate and supports SPC and Member efforts.
- Support and sometimes lead engagement with the SPC Executive and Senior Leadership Team ensuring they are well-informed of developments and are well briefed to engage with Members and external stakeholders.
- Assist the Director CCES and Executive in leading, developing and implementing inter-divisional programmes that mainstream climate change and environmental sustainability across the whole organisation, including supporting implementation of the Paris Agreement’s objectives by SPC’s programmes and operations.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Postgraduate qualifications in environmental management of climate change or equivalent field; or, alternatively, in management/administration with an undergraduate qualification in environment or a related field.
Technical expertise
- At least 15 years of demonstrated experience in international climate change and/or environmental negotiations.
- Highly developed planning skills.
- Experience in representation in regional or international meetings.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in climate change and environmental sustainability at international, regional and national level relevant to the Pacific.
- Demonstrated experience with the development of policy and the provision of policy advice.
- Demonstrated experience supporting country delegations in international climate change and/or environmental negotiations.
- Demonstrated ability to operate and represent effectively at national, regional and international levels.
Language skills
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Cross-cultural skills and the ability to work with team members from different cultural backgrounds.
- Demonstrated effective communication, networking and coordination skills.
- Extensive knowledge of the Pacific region’s climate change strategies and positions and that of SPC’s Member States and territories.
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 Senior Adviser, Climate Change Multilateral Agreements is a Band 12 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,685–5,760 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 670,858–824,789 (USD 6,699–8,236; EUR 5,622–6,912). 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 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 matching 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.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing date: 27 November 2022 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: SH000204
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) What are the main priority areas for the Pacific in the area of CC negotiations?
2) Looking ahead from COP26, what is required to “keep 1.5 alive” and how can an organisation like SPC contribute?
3) How can the Pacific enhance its positioning in multilateral climate change negotiations and what role could organisations like SPC play?