Director Pacific Community Climate Change Flagship Programme

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 Director Pacific Community Climate Change Flagship Programme will provide direction, support, and advocacy for the SPC Climate Change Flagship Programme.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Vision, Leadership and Direction of the Programme

• Coordinate inputs from members, SPC divisions and SLT representatives to frame SPC positioning on Climate Change for a coherent vision both internally and externally including in the format of a climate change flagship
• Lead technical work that informs the SPC agenda on climate change and contributes to informing SPC strategic planning and change management
• Ensure executive members are accurately informed of major sectoral issues
• Promote a corporate SER culture of environmental and social responsibility and sustainability
• Provide climate change leadership positions and pieces of advice in high level, donor coordination or multi-agency meetings

Management of the Programme (people, operations, budget)

• Lead the revision and development of the Climate Change Flagship and CCES Business Plan in relation to the SPC Strategic Plan objectives and resource mobilisation targets
• Ensure visibility and coordination of SPC efforts in Climate Change, through the work of the Information & communication unit
• Oversee management of programme operations, in line with administrative and finance policies and procedures
• Ensure adequate reporting as well as monitoring & evaluation of the Flagship’s results and achievements
• Manage, build, and sustain a motivated team, inspire a shared commitment and lead by example
• Supervise budgetary planning for CCES, monitor spending and disbursement, identify financial risks and opportunities, and ensure proper financial accountability and literacy

Resource mobilisation, donor management and engagement

• In close collaboration with the Director of Integration and Resource Mobilisation, develop and pursue climate change programme and multi-agency funding proposals
• Develop and strengthen the Climate Finance Unit at CCES to provide support to member countries and territories in accessing climate finance from the GCF, Adaptation Fund and other sources
• Oversee the development of project and programme proposals in line with donor requirements and members’ needs

Strategic and collaborative relationships with clients and other stakeholders

• Maintain strong, often matrixed working relationships across SPC
• Maintain strong links with Climate Change ministries, NDAs and officials in member governments and territories and the PSIDS grouping
• Maintain strong linkages with other CROP agencies and accredited entities and partners that deliver results to members in climate change and environmental management
• Maintain and develop SPC’s network of international partners active in climate change
• Maintain strong relationship with GCF, AF, GEF and other key multilateral funding mechanisms and engage activity in the development of direction from the relevant mechanisms of the UNFCCC.

Support to SPC Senior Leadership Team, including Integrated Programming and joint initiatives

• Lead/ contribute to the cross-divisional integration efforts and initiatives and ensure that the Programme is well placed to respond and contribute to multisectoral approaches
• Support to the SPC Senior Leadership Team in leading change in the organisation, developing corporate policies and plans, enhancing overall performance, and promoting a culture of sharing and learning
• Representing SPC at regional and international fora

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, earth science, climate change, sustainable development, 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 leadership and management experience in a public sector or research environment in managing climate change related work or a similar field, including in personnel, project, and financial management.
• 15 or more years’ experience in sustainable development work in the Pacific region or regions similar in nature.
• Advanced leadership and planning skills.
• Experience in representation in regional or international meetings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in climate change and/or environmental sustainability/sustainable development.
• Demonstrated experience with the raising of external funding and liaison with international donors.
• Demonstrated experience in multilateral climate and/or environmental negotiations and processes.
• Demonstrated experience with the development of policy and the provision of policy advice.
• Demonstrated effective communication, networking, and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and represent effectively at national, regional, and international levels.

Language skills

• SPC’s official working languages are English and French. For this position fluency in English is required. .

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and gender-sensitive environment with team members from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Good knowledge of the socio-political situations in Pacific Island countries 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 Director Pacific Community Climate Change Flagship Programme is a band 15 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 7,190-8,892 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 1,029,652-1,273,282 (USD 10,282-12,715; EUR 8,628-10,670). 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.

Application procedure

Closing date: 30 October 2022 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: AL000501

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. Access to climate financing is still a challenge for many PICTs. What options are there to address this challenge?
2. “If we do all the best we can with all the resources available to us in the Pacific, there will still be work to be done”. What opportunities do you see for collaboration and role delineation between the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies to better support PICTs with addresing Climate Changea?
3. “Pacific Islands Have Unique Moral Authority to Speak Out on Climate Change.” How can the Pacific use this ‘unique moral authority’ to better speak out on Climate Change.

JD_DirectorCCFlagship.pdf