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 – theClimate Finance Access Network Advisor provides technical support on accessing climate finance to address the climate change priorities of Pacific countries through the Climate Finance Access Network.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Support the identification, development, design and implementation of climate finance projects under multilateral or bilateral funding sources
- Provide strategic and technical advice to the Pacific countries on climate change funding opportunities and how CFAN can support them in developing project pipelines.
- Support the identification, development and submission of climate finance proposals, including navigating funding sources, engaging stakeholders to fulfil funding proposal requirements, and assessing financial instruments to structure investments.
- Conduct pre-/feasibility assessments of climate finance projects and programmes engaging all relevant stakeholders.
- Support financial, economic, social and regulatory analysis throughout project design in collaboration with government counterparts, implementing partners and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate with and support other CFAN Advisors on the development of climate finance proposals and pipelines, as needed.
- Support and maintain smooth and close collaboration between institutional and technical partners involved in climate finance project development and implementation in the region.
Provide strategic advice, technical guidance, awareness and training on operations, requirements and development processes of climate change projects
- Participate and successfully complete CFAN’s Advisor Training Program.
- With guidance from the Climate Finance Coordinator, lead the design and facilitation of at least one in-country capacity building effort with CFAN support for transfer of skills and knowledge to local staff in relevant ministries, government offices and other stakeholders, where appropriate.
- Serve as an active member of the CFAN community, including by representing CFAN at events and external meetings, as well as by advancing CFAN’s value-add through peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange, and cohort activities.
- Remain up to date on key changes and developments in the policies, operations, modalities and requirements of key climate finance donors and development partners to inform project proposal and pipeline development.
- Provide strategic advice, training, information, technical guidance and awareness to government counterparts and other stakeholders regarding climate change opportunities concerning policies, modalities and project design and implementation requirements.
Support the channelling of climate finance to regional, national and local levels through SPC-led climate change projects
- Support Pacific governments, communities and other stakeholders to channel climate finance to the regional, national and community levels through implementation of climate change projects.
- Lead and backstop SPC’s work in the design and implementation of the Regional Pacific Climate Innovation Accelerator (RPCIA) including proposal design as well as revision and finalisation of Expressions of Interest, Requests for Proposals, grants agreements and other related documents (as needed) to facilitate flows of climate finance to beneficiaries.
- Provide technical support and assistance for identification and incubation of innovative opportunities to access climate finance for replication and upscaling for RPCIA and other funding sources.
- Provide ad hoc support to Pacific countries, SPC and other stakeholders in the management and implementation of climate change projects, as required.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Postgraduate degree in Economics, Finance, Climate Change, Environment, Development, or another related field.
Technical expertise
- At least 7 years of experience working in climate finance, or relevant field preferably for a financial institution or development agency.
- Experience accessing and structuring finance for climate investments.
- Experience with international climate finance institutions (e.g. AF or GCF), particularly technical aspects of mitigation and adaptation activities.
- Demonstrated ability to formulate project proposals in compliance with requirements of various climate finance funds.
- Demonstrated relationship-building and facilitation skills.
- Willingness and ability to commit to in-country work and travel as required and where possible.
- Experience working in developing countries (preferably in SIDS) on climate and development issues.
Language skills
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with team members from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration– This vacant position is budgeted for 12 months and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration– the Climate Finance Access Network Advisor is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,568–4,364 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 540,472–660,991 (USD 4,781–5,847; EUR 4,529–5,539). 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 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 August 2023 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: CR000056
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):
- In your opinion, what are the major priorities for building resilience to climate change in the Pacific?
- What would you say are the three largest challenges when developing a climate change project for a Pacific country?
- What do you think are the most important factors to consider during project design and why?