Climate Finance Access Network Advisor

• Papeete-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 French Polynesian Government in accessing and structuring climate finance and investments to achieve French Polynesia’s climate objectives.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Support the Government of French Polynesia in the identification, development, design and implementation of climate finance projects

• Provide strategic advice to the Government of French Polynesia on climate change funding opportunities and how CFAN can support them in developing and implementing projects with a focus on priority pipeline projects identified by the government.
• Develop and submit climate finance funding proposals, including by navigating the range of financing sources, engaging stakeholders to fulfil funding proposal requirements, and assessing financial instruments to structure investment in the energy, water, and waste management and other critical infrastructural sector.
• Conduct (pre-)feasibility assessments of climate investment projects and programmes 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.
• Support the design of project proposals through the analysis of financial data to recommend suitable structure of financing.

Provide capacity building, awareness and training to the Government of French Polynesia concerning climate finance projects including operations, requirements and development processes.

• Participate and successfully complete CFAN’s Advisor Training Programme;
• Support CFAN in designing and facilitating in-country capacity building to support transfer of skills and knowledge to local staff in relevant departments and government offices;
• Conduct at least one in-country capacity-building initiative and 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.
• Provide training, information, technical guidance and awareness to government departments/agencies regarding climate finance on policies, modalities and the various project development and implementation requirements, in collaboration with the SPC Climate Finance Unit and CFAN.
• Provide government departments/agencies with up-to-date information on climate change project development and implementation as well as climate change priorities and trends in the Pacific region.

Develop tools for analysis, evaluation and decision-making on climate finance planning and programming

• Development of an analysis/evaluation tool for functional/investment budget operations based on climate change and sustainable development criteria (e.g. SDGs).
• Development of an analysis/evaluation tool for grant applications based on climate change and sustainable development criteria (e.g. SDGs).
• Collaborate and consult with relevant government and other stakeholders particularly the Budget Department, Socredo Bank and the French Development Agency in the collection/collation of data/information needed to develop these tools.
• Write up and pilot testing of these tools.
• Establishment of a budget greening strategy based on climate change and sustainable development criteria (e.g. SDGs).
• Collaborate and consultation with relevant stakeholders in developing the budget greening strategy.

Coordination, facilitation and outreach with climate finance partners

• Facilitation of discussions with financial partners to support climate change programming.
• Support and maintain smooth and close collaboration between institutional and technical partners involved climate finance project development and implementation.
• Coordinate inputs between/amongst government departments/agencies to accelerate projects through the investment pipeline.
• Coordination and consultations with financial institutions and the private sector on how investments in climate change-related work are strengthened.

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 in climate finance, infrastructure/related finance, accounting, public finance management or related subject areas.
• Experience accessing and structuring finance for climate investments.
• Experience with international climate finance institutions, particularly technical aspects of mitigation and adaptation activities.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate project proposals in compliance with requirements of various climate finance funds.
• Willingness and ability to commit to in-country work and travel as required.

Language skills

• Fluency in written and spoken French and 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 SDR (special drawing rights) 3,644 – 4,451 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 551,937 – 674,209 (USD 4,882 – 5,964; EUR 4,625 – 5,650). 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 French Polynesia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in Papeete – SPC provides housing allowance of XPF 105,000 – 185,000. 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: 4 February 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000183

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 main priorities for climate change in French Polynesia?
2. What are the main ways you would recommend integrating climate change into planning and budgeting processes in French Polynesia?
3. What are the most important factors to consider when designing a climate change project for French Polynesia and why?