• Pohnpei-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

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 Climate Finance Access Network Advisor will support the FSM Department of Finance and Administration in accessing climate finance to achieve FSM’s climate objectives.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Support the FSM government in the identification, development, design and implementation of climate finance projects under multilateral or bilateral funding sources.

• Provide strategic advice to the FSM government on climate change funding opportunities and how CFAN can support them.
• Upon request, support the identification, development and submission of climate finance proposals.
• Collaborate with the Readiness-supported Climate Finance Advisor on the development of project proposals targeting a range of donors.
• Conduct (pre-)feasibility assessments of climate investment projects and programs engaging all relevant stakeholders.
• Perform and/or facilitate financial, economic, social and regulatory analysis throughout project concept and design stages in collaboration with the country teams and government counterparts.
• Coordinate inputs between/amongst government departments/agencies to accelerate projects through the investment pipeline.

Provide technical guidance, awareness and training to the FSM government concerning climate finance donors on operations, requirements and development processes of climate change projects.

• Participate and successfully complete CFAN’s Advisor Training Program.
• Support CFAN in designing and facilitating in-country capacity-building efforts to support transfer of skills and knowledge to local staff in relevant departments and government offices.
• Serve as an active member of the CFAN community.
• Provide training, information, technical guidance and awareness to government departments/agencies regarding climate change donors on their policies, their modalities and the various project development and implementation requirements.
• Provide government department/agencies with up-to-date information.

Support the FSM government in providing strategic advice on FSM’s work on climate change, and engagement with donors on climate change projects

• Provide inputs into FSM’s national climate finance strategy, to improve access to climate and carbon finance, create a national financing vehicle for all climate change projects, coordinate recommendations in the public financial management systems to enable sharing of experiences across the nation and align bilateral, multi-lateral climate finance reporting at the national level.
• Where possible, support the identification of opportunities to finance projects through domestic resources as a means of enhancing country ownership.
• Provide strategic advice to the FSM government to support strong collaboration with multilateral and bilateral climate change donors.
• Support the FSM government in providing strategic advice on resource mobilization.

Support the coordination, management and implementation of FSM-led climate change projects.

• Support the FSM government offices at the national and state level in overseeing the flow of climate finance to the State and local levels.
• Support the FSM government in coordinating the implementation of climate change projects to ensure that climate finance flows reach ultimate beneficiaries.
• Ad-hoc support to the FSM government in the management and implementation of climate change projects.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Economics, Climate Finance, Environmental Economics, Sustainable 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 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 3,256–4,004 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately USD 4,363–5,365. 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. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Federated States of Micronesia; Federated States of Micronesia Nationals employed by SPC in Pohnpei will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international staff employees based in Pohnpei – SPC provides a housing allowance of USD 1,000–2,000. 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.

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: 8 October 2023 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000098

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. In your opinion, what are the major priorities for building resilience to climate change in the Pacific?
2. What would you say are the three largest challenges when developing a climate change project for a Pacific country?
3. What do you think are the most important factors to consider during project design and why?