Project Implementation Officer - Water Security Projects

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific 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 organisation works across more than 25 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management, and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The role – Project Implementation Officer – Water Security Projects will be responsible for working closely with beneficiary country project counterparts, collaborating under various Water Security projects to plan, budget, implement, report, undertake procurement and contract management, support quality monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL), prepare for, hold National Steering Committee (NSC) meetings and roll out local stakeholder communications, engagement and visibility activities. Includes supporting the strengthening of local project management systems and pulling in technical expertise from across the Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) and SPC, as necessary.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Support countries by guiding, coaching and building capacity to plan, budget, implement and report on in-country activities

• Guide and coach, the country lead implementation agencies in developing country activity plans addressing project results framework target needs, facilitating stakeholder engagement and ensuring the activity plans are align with project outcomes and country development strategy plans.

Supporting countries by guiding, coaching and building capacity on financial, procurement, contract, and grant management for in-country activities including acquittals  

• Coach and support country teams to ensure in-country financial management is sound and in accordance with SPC, donor and audit requirements. This includes regularly updating budget forecasts, and validating, tracking, reconciling, and analyzing costs with the country teams to deliver on the project budget and results.
• Guide and support all direct procurement and contract/grant management requirements for project-funded services, supplies and equipment in the countries (and sub-regional activities where necessary). This includes working with SPC Legal and Procurement team on major procurements and grants, including the DCRP Procurement and Grants Officer.
• Coach and guide country teams and train them on procurement planning processes and identification of procurement modalities that works best for each of the country implementations. Facilitate the disbursement of funds under approved modalities (Grants/Service contracts) and reconciliation of project acquittals, audit, and closure of project accounts.

Ensuring quality stakeholder engagement and MERL for in-country activities

• Support the Project Manager to convene the National project steering group, sub-regional steering committee meetings, and other regional events for the project as relevant.

Supporting and advising on project coordination, management and reporting

• Advise and support the country teams in coordination of project activities, progress of activity narrative and financial reporting.
• Support the Project Manager to draft high-quality and timely progress and completion reports, and work plans for the donor and SPC management.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A graduate degree from a recognized institution.
• Work experience in a discipline relevant to international development; community engagement; strategic communications; disaster risk reduction; community resilience; water resources management; water, sanitation and hygiene; governance and policy development, and/or another relevant field.

Technical expertise

• At least five years relevant supervisory and project management experience.
• Strong understanding and experience in project management, including with project-cycles; log-frames; financial forecasting and reporting; grant and contract management; MERL; and risk management.
• Knowledge of procurement and financial management systems, and implementing projects across multiple currencies.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of water security challenges and responses in atoll environments, at both the national and community levels, and including considerations such as the role of gender in water management.
• A demonstrated proficiency in meeting the monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning (MERL) requirements of development partners such as MFAT.        

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 – 30 June 2025 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Project Implementation Officer – Water Security Projects is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,284‒2,856 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,808–8,509 (USD 3,038–3,798; EUR 2,832–3,540). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration 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 be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. 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 bilingualism, 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 25 February 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000557

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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. Describe three personal characteristics that you feel make you an ideal candidate for this position.
2. Provide a recent example of how you managed the successful implementation of a project, and the most important factors you considered in your monitoring of its success.
3. Briefly describe your understanding of the key water security challenges facing atoll communities, and how you came to gain this understanding.