Climate Change Project Development Specialist

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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes plant protection, conservation, plant genetic resources, animal health and production, agroforestry, biosecurity and trade facilitation, and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. This work has two objectives: improved food and nutritional security, and resilient communities. The division’s services are provided through seven technical/thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production and Extension; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees.

The Climate Change Project Development Specialist will support LRD’s work with the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs’) in the identification, development, and design of climate change project concepts as per identified agriculture and forestry related priorities. The role will also provide high level advice on options and avenues for financing climate change projects ideas and concepts, in close consultation with the LRD senior management. The incumbent will support the division by providing technical guidance, awareness and training to the technical teams and the beneficiary countries and territories in project development tapping climate finance.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Climate change project development

• Lead in coordinating the development of new Climate change project ideas and concepts, closely aligned to the climate change priorities of the agriculture and forestry sectors in the region and to support climate resilient food system transformation
• Lead and manage the project development work (carried out either directly or through external support as appropriate) in line with modalities of the identified climate finance opportunity
• Provide technical support for the development of climate change project level reporting and reviews to ensure Programme/project activities are well aligned to the priorities of PICTs (Pacific Islands, Countries and Territories)

Climate change technical support and advisory

• Lead in supporting the identification, development and design of climate change mitigation and adaption related project concepts as per the priorities of food systems transformation, agriculture, and forestry in the countries
• Upon countries’ request, support the identification, development, and design of climate finance project concepts, in collaboration with relevant SPC divisions and other regional partners
• Provide technical leadership, engagement, and operational guidance to contribute to the effective delivery of all climate change related projects within the technical programme

Climate financing and resource mobilization

• Contribute to, and support mobilisation initiatives with funding agencies and advocate for long-term funding support for the climate change related work of the division among the donor community
• Explore new work opportunities that align to new / emerging development priorities of PICTs
• Lead in the preparation and organisation of a portfolio of project ideas for potential funding and promote dialogue with countries, partners, and climate financing institutions

Enhancing capabilities in climate project development and financing

• Provide technical guidance, awareness and training to the member countries and LRD programmes on project development using climate finance
• Provide expert advice on current thinking and innovations in agri-food systems, agriculture, and forestry in relation to climate change.
• Organise relevant training for the benefit of pacific countries on modalities to develop concepts, in line with their food systems, agriculture and forestry priorities and investment pipelines, seek technical inputs from the LRD programme teams and funding partners in those trainings as appropriate

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A master’s degree from a recognised institution (and/or equivalent work experience) in a discipline relevant to sustainable development and climate change (natural resources management, environmental sciences, agriculture, forestry, international development, or economics
• Project management certification

Technical expertise

• At least 9 years of practical experience in international development and climate change areas
• Over 5 years of experience in medium-large climate change project management and /or development
• Demonstrated experience in grants/proposal writing and mobilization of funds
• Sound knowledge of issues related to climate change adaption and mitigation in the pacific islands
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategically with a solid understanding of project development and management of complex regional or international funded projects
• Demonstrated experience of leading and coordinating strategic consultation processes for regional positioning across a relevant sectoral agenda such as climate change in agriculture and forestry
• Proven knowledge of international climate governance context, including financial aspects
• Demonstrated knowledge of climate finance providers and their models and requirements
• Have a sound knowledge of the Pacific region’s development context and the science of climate change impacts
• Proven experience in developing highly complex projects on a tight schedule with a several partners in the agriculture, forestry sectors

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written)

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration –