SPREP Director General

A. Background Information on SPREP

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (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 95 staff and an annual budget of USD $20 million in 2015.

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”.

Members

SPREP has 21 Pacific island member countries and territories (American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Wallis & Futuna) and 5 developed countries (Australia, France, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America) with direct interests in the region.

Divisions

The SPREP Strategic priorities are delivered through four divisions:

Climate Change: has lead responsibility for Adaptation, Science & Policy and Mitigation.

Biodiversity & Ecosystem Management: has lead responsibility for Coastal & Marine, Threatened & Migratory Species, Invasive Species and Biodiversity.

Waste Management & Pollution Control: has lead responsibility for Hazardous Waste Management, Pollution and Solid Waste Management.

Environmental Monitoring & Governance: has lead responsibility for Environmental Monitoring & Planning and Governance. The divisions work in an integrated way on project development and implementation

Corporate Services & Internal Audit 

Corporate Services provide corporate support to the delivery of the Secretariat’s strategic priorities and include Finance & Administration, Human Resources Management, Information Technology, Information Resources & Archives, Communications & Outreach and Monitoring & Evaluation. The Internal Audit Unit provides independent monitoring of the organisation's operations and governance procedures including risk management and internal controls.

B. Job Description

Division: Executive
Group / Team: Senior Management Team
Responsible To: Members, principally through the SPREP Meeting and its Chair
Responsible For: All Staff

Job Purpose:

This job exists to:

• Provide strategic leadership, direction and management to the Secretariat
• Be fully informed on stakeholder needs and realities, especially those of members
• Keep members fully informed on all aspects of the organisation's operations

Key result areas

The position of Director General (DG) addresses the following key result areas:

• High quality strategic leadership and direction
• High quality strategic organisational management and planning
• Eeffective and efficient preparation and implementation of the strategic plan
• Successful SPREP meetings and effective environmental advocacy
• Effective and productive donor liaison, regional coordination and cooperation, and networking

Work Complexity

Most challenging duties typically undertaken:

• Ensuring continuing effective leadership and management of the Secretariat
• Representation and advocacy of SPREP and Pacific Island positions at high level international and regional meetings and other fora, including Ministerial meetings
• Securing long term funding for the operations and management of the Secretariat
• Ensuring Members, donors and partners have continuing full confidence in the management of the Secretariat, and strongly encouraging them to fulfil their commitments towards the organisation​

Level of Delegation

 The position holder:

• Has decision making and delegation authority
• Leads negotiations on behalf of SPREP
• Accountable for the Secretariat’s performance

Person Specifications

Nationality requirement

​Essential:

• Must be nominated by a SPREP member Government or Administration.
• Must be a national of the nominating SPREP member Government or Administration

Qualifications

Essential:

• A Masters degree or higher qualification in relevant Management/Development/Environment or related fields.

Knowledge / Experience

Essential:

• At least 15 years of significant and relevant practical experience and educational background in strategic leadership and management, including working in senior management and leadership at senior executive level, preferably in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary work environment in the Pacific region
• Outstanding credentials in his or her individual field of expertise, demonstrated sound judgement and strong analytical and strategic planning skills
• Established track record of performance, and extensive high level experience and competency, in dealing with regional and extra-regional governments and institutions and in negotiations with donors and development agencies, with a very good understanding of donor policies and processes
• Demonstrated experience of operating in the unique Pacific way and in partnership building, including capacity and resource mobilisation
• A vision for, commitment to, and empathy with, the sustainable social, economic and environment development aspirations of the Pacific island countries and territories
• Confidence and ability to advocate for, and promote, the environmental concerns, the protection and development of the environmental resources of the region and proven experience of high level negotiation work with Governments, especially SPREP Member countries and partners
• Exposure to development issues and opportunities, and to living conditions in developing countries, and an ability to engage and build rapport and trust with stakeholders around various and complex issues
• Hands on experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, as both a team leader and member, with flexibility to adapt to a shifting and demanding work load
• Excellent capability to write and communicate verbally in English, and good computer and related technical skills, including an ability to communicate and interact effectively with Governments, development partners, the private sector and civil society
• Deep interest in, and an extensive knowledge of, the Pacific Islands region, including a good understanding of the environmental management issues in the Pacific and challenges facing Pacific Island countries and territories, and the region as a whole.

Desirable:

• Excellent ability to communicate verbally and to write in SPREP's two working languages