SPC invites applications for two Climate Change Adviser positions in its Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility, based at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.
SPC is the Pacific Island regions principal technical and scientific organisation. It delivers technical, scientific, research, policy and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories in public health, geoscience, agriculture, forestry, water resources, disaster management, fisheries, education (community, TVET, quality and standards for all school levels), statistics, transport, energy, ICT, media, human rights, gender, youth and culture. For more information, visit www.spc.int.
In applying, candidates should be guided by SPC?s vision, mission and corporate values, the role and profile of the position and the key result areas and selection criteria.
SPC?s vision for the region is a secure and prosperous Pacific Community, whose people are educated and healthy and manage their resources in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way.
Our mission is to help Pacific Island people position themselves to respond effectively to the challenges they face and make informed decisions about their future and the future they will leave for the generations that follow.
Our corporate values are underpinned by the principle of ?making a positive difference in the lives of Pacific Island people ? putting people first?. They include accountability, integrity, respect, transparency, sustainability, people-centeredness, gender equality and cultural sensitivity.
Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility ? is the strategic, analytical, corporate planning and standards monitoring and evaluation arm of the office of the Director-General. It employs over 20 staff based in Noumea, New Caledonia, and Suva, Fiji. It provides policy and planning support to all of SPC?s technical divisions and programmes; assists members with the design of national development strategies; prepares sectoral or thematic analyses to inform decision-making at national level; and coordinates the mainstreaming of SPC wide initiatives in priority cross-cutting sectors such as climate change, gender and food security. The Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility has four key functions: (i) country and programme support; (ii) strategic positioning, regional cooperation and partnerships and resource mobilisation; (iii) policy analysis and development, research, coordination and mainstreaming; and (iv) corporate standards, organisational development and performance management.
Global Climate Change Alliance: Pacific Small Island States (GCCA: PSIS) Project ? is funded by the European Union to support the governments of nine Pacific small island states, namely Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Tonga and Tuvalu, in their efforts to tackle the adverse effects of climate change. The project aims to promote long-term strategies and approaches to climate change adaptation planning, and to pave the way for more effective and coordinated aid delivery on climate change at national and regional levels. In delivering the project, SPC works collaboratively with other regional agencies including the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the University of the South Pacific (USP). The project has four key result areas: (i) supporting national efforts to successfully mainstream climate change into national and sector response strategies; (ii) identifying, designing and supporting implementation of national adaptation activities; (iii) enhancing the contribution of regional organisations to national adaptation responses; and (iv) building regional capacity to coordinate the delivery of streamlined adaptation finance and targeted technical assistance to countries.
The role ? The Climate Change Advisers are accountable to the GCCA: PSIS Project Manager based in Suva. The role is responsible for providing climate change policy and technical support directly to nominated Pacific small island states to increase their capacity to manage and respond to the impacts of climate change. This will involve delivering country level project outputs and contributing to regional capacity building via training and technical exchange. The appointment is for two years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
The profile ? SPC seeks experienced climate change advisers with expertise in providing technical assistance and training to developing countries. Attributes will include sophisticated analytical, communication and coordination skills and the ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse regional stakeholders.
Key result areas ? The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress in the following three key result areas:
1. Technical and policy advice ?Provide climate change policy advice and technical assistance to countries. Work with national counterparts to identify, design, implement and evaluate a climate change adaptation demonstration project for each country. Assist countries to develop national climate change policies and action plans, building on existing national strategies and plans. Prepare the terms of reference and oversee the provision of short-and medium-term technical assistance to countries to meet specific climate change capacity development needs. Coordinate and assist in the delivery of national consultations and workshops on climate change issues, particularly in relation to integrating climate change into sector policies and programmes. Provide advice and support to SPC national climate change coordinators.
2. Capacity building ? Work collaboratively with other regional organisations to deliver regional consultations and workshops on climate change issues. Work with national counterparts and technical experts to identify and establish reforms and budgetary/governance measures that enable countries to qualify for future direct budget support for climate change-related response measures. Compile national capacity development needs assessment. In conjunction with national counterparts, develop training and technical activities to build national climate change capacity.
3. Project support ? Assist the Project Manager in preparing progress, annual and final reports that are tailored to meet national level project operational needs. Effectively coordinate project activities and proactively identify and address risks.
Key selection criteria ? Candidates will be assessed against the following seven criteria:
1. Innovation and analytical skills ? Able to generate new approaches; develop and support original solutions based on sound analysis.
2. Results oriented problem solver ? Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results.
3. Influencing and relationship building skills ? Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals; demonstrate strong communication, advocacy and interpersonal skills; contribute to building productive team relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
4. Qualifications ? Degree in a discipline relevant to climate change, i.e. natural resource management/economics, climate change policy and/or planning; and a qualification and/or experience in climate change applications. A master?s or higher level qualification would be an advantage.
5. Technical expertise ? Extensive experience in the provision of technical, policy and planning advice to developing countries, ideally with regional or international organisations. A track record in managing the delivery of climate change technical assistance and training. Project management skills and experience in adapting multi-stakeholder participatory and consultation processes. Experience in planning and implementing climate change projects, particularly with governments in the Pacific Islands region, would be advantageous.
6. Language skills ? Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
7. Cultural awareness ? Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, particularly Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.
Remuneration ? The Climate Change Adviser is a Band 11 position within SPC?s 2013 salary scale, with a salary range of 2,666?3,998 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD7,308?10,960 (USD 4,100?6,200; ? 3,000?4,500). 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 will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will, however, be subject to income tax.
Benefits ? SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170?2,625 per month. An establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants. Employees are entitled to 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; life insurance; and access to SPC?s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Application procedure ? The closing date for applications is Monday 4 March 2013. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the seven key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses for three referees.
Appointment ? SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Staff appointments are based on merit, without restriction as to nationality. Preference is given to Pacific Islanders, given equal merit, qualifications and experience.
Apply online ? Please use SPC?s online recruitment system at http://www.spc.int/job.html.
Important note: Prepare and save your curriculum vitae, response to key selection criteria and referee information as Microsoft Word documents BEFORE attempting to submit your application online. It is not possible to partially complete your application via the online system, save it and return to complete later.
Can?t access the online recruitment system? Apply via email: recruit@spc.int; fax: +687 26 38 18 or post: Sally Clark Herrmann, Human Resources Adviser (Recruitment and Training), Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia.
Need assistance? Contact Sally in confidence, at sallyh@spc.int or telephone +687 26 01 40.
BACKGROUND ? Established in 1947, SPC employs over 570 staff and is headquartered in Noumea, New Caledonia, with offices in Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. SPC has 26 member countries and territories including its founding members, Australia, France, New Zealand and United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners are the European Union; the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; United Nations agencies, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility, to name a few. SPC?s working languages are English and French.
SPC is led by the Director-General supported by two Deputy Directors-General and the Directors of its technical divisions - Applied Geoscience and Technology, Economic Development, Education, Training and Human Development, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems, Land Resources, Public Health and Statistics. SPC also has a strategic engagement and planning facility and an operations and management division.