Climate change adaptation adviser

Background

SPREP is the regional organisation established by the Governments and Administrations of the Pacific charged with protecting and managing the environment and natural resources of the Pacific. It is based in Apia, Samoa, with about 65 staff and an annual budget of USD $14 million in 2012. The establishment of SPREP sends a clear signal to the global community of the deep commitment of Pacific island Governments and Administrations to better management of the environment as a key element of sustainable development.
The future directions for SPREP are clearly set out in the 2011-2015 SPREP Strategic Plan. This Plan outlines the mandate, vision and programmes for the organisation. The Strategic Plan places strong emphasis on effective delivery of services to SPREP Member countries and territories.

Mandate

SPREP’s mandate is to promote cooperation in the Pacific region and provide assistance in order to protect and improve its environment and to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations.

Vision

SPREP is guided by its vision for the future: “The Pacific environment, sustaining our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our cultures”.

Description

The position of Adaptation Support Officer - Climate Change (ASO-CC) addresses the following Key Result Areas (in line with Climate Change Strategic Priority CC1: Implementing Adaptation Measures and its relevant strategies, goals and targets given in the 2011-2015 Strategic Plan):

Provide support to the coordination, operation and implementation of SPREP’s adaptation programmes through provision of technical support and reporting requirements, working with the sub-programmes of SPREP’s Climate Change Programme, key partners, regional agencies and countries, and to coordinate delivery at the national level based on identified national priorities. 

• Technical support and facilitation
• Project planning and management
• Financial management
• Synthesis and report writing

Technical support and facilitation

- Provide technical background on climate change, water management, and ecosystem based adaptation.
- Facilitate workshops and meetings with various stakeholders and partners in country to elucidate threats, vulnerabilities and develop adaptation options.
- Familiarise with integrated vulnerability assessment and ecosystem based Adaptation options in an island context.
- Work with partners and countries to deliver implementation actions on Ecosystem based Adaptation priorities.
- Familiarise with relevant scientific literature, ability to write concise, accurate, appropriately referenced summaries on specific topics of relevance.

Project planning & management;

- Ensure that planning for all project activities is carried out to highest standards of efficiency.
- Facilitate operational management of the project according to SPREP operating standards, and other requirements as a appropriate.
- Organise and facilitate project activities according to the project work plans, in order to produce the project outputs in a timely manner.

Financial management

- Maintain an overview of the planning, execution and financial management of projects.
- Revise budgets and allocations to ensure output delivery within budget.
- Provide information to SPREP and appropriate funding agencies, as well as feedback to countries on progress and financial status of the projects.

Synthesis and report writing

- Lead the preparation of project technical reports and work with partners to synthesize key outputs of the project, providing regular and effective feedback to partners and country participants.
- Produce synthetic communications products for dissemination to a broad audience.
- Compile 6-monthly progress and annual financial reports.
- Liaise with appropriate partners to facilitate public relations and information management for the projects.

Qualifications

Education

A Bachelor degree in Science, specializing in water or coastal management, climate change or environmental management.

Knowledge/experience

• At least 5 years of extensive project and programme management experience relating to climate change adaptation in the area of climate change impact of the water--including monitoring and evaluation, multi-project coordination, project financial management, proposal and report writing and resource mobilization preferably in climate related projects in Pacific island countries
• Demonstrated experience and broad knowledge of island ecosystem functions and management as related to climate change and adaptation, preferably on small islands and atolls and preferably with demonstrated experience in both marine and terrestrial habitats.
• Excellent computer skills with experience in using GIS or other tools such as Computer Based Assessments
• Sound knowledge of climate change issues facing the Pacific Islands region with demonstrated ability to work effectively with multiple levels of government, NGOs and diverse groups of stakeholders
• Ability to establish and implement workplan objectives including strong organizational, time management, coordination and facilitation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English, with proven ability to synthesize information and communicate effectively to multiple audiences, as well as proven experience working in a team within a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.