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Background
The Vanuatu Meteorological and Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) sits within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU). The vision of the service is to establish and maintain a: Skilled and motivated staff, using modern science and technology within a sound, efficiently managed organization, providing high quality meteorological services that are widely available, effectively applied, beneficial, and highly valued by all sections of the community.
The Vanuatu Meteorological Service primary functions include:
- Taking and recording of meteorological observations and other observations as required
- The forecasting of the weather and the state of the atmosphere
- The responsibility to issue warnings of gales, storms, hurricanes and other weather conditions likely to danger life or property
- Supply of meteorological information
- Promotion and advancement of meteorological science by research and investigation
- Advice on meteorological matters
- Cooperation with other National Meteorological Services and appropriate international communities
Department Overview
The Department consists of five major programs to carry out its functions and they are as follows: Administration, the Weather Forecasting Section, the Climate Services Section which also includes Climate Change, the IT and Engineering Section and the Observation Section.
Assignment Overview
The Climate Change Officer will work across the sectors of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, specifically with the Climate Change Office. By early 2012, the Climate Change Office will have over 4 staff working on national climate change coordination, technical adaptation, technical mitigation, and grant writing.
He/she will report directly to the Program Manager, Climate Change Office. The Climate Change Officer will work closely with the Technical Advisor on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) of the VMGD. The assignment is based at VMGD headquarters in Port Vila, and will have opportunities to travel to provincial branches.Reduction (DRR) of the VMGD. The assignment is based at VMGD headquarters in Port Vila, and will have opportunities to travel to provincial branches.
Expected outcomes and key relationships
The main outcomes expected from this role are
- Assist the staff of the Climate Change Office to enhance their knowledge, understanding and application of technical extension activities and services related to CCA and Disaster Risk Management (DRM)
- Assist the Climate Change Office to engage with and help communities and organisations throughout Vanuatu on CCA and DRM activities
- Assist the Climate Change Office to develop national CCA and DRM coordination processes with VGMD, National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and development partners (including civil society);
- Assist the Climate Change Office to provide specific technical support to the newly expanded National Advisory Board on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAB)
Capacity development outcomes
- Provision of Climate Change Adaptation extension resources
- Provision of Climate Change Mitigation extension resources
- Provision of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction integration resources
- Assisting with mainstreaming in legislation, policy, strategies and plans
Who will be this volunteer's supervisor?
Manager Climate Section
Will the volunteer work closely with a counterpart or other staff?
Climate Change Coordinator and Technical Adviser on CCA & DRM
Volunteer Requirments
Personal attributes
- Self awareness and cross-cultural sensitivity
- Commitment to sharing knowledge and skills
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Resilience and ability to manage stree
- Initiative and self direction
- Enthusiasm
Skills or experience relevant to assignment
- Techinical backgound in Climate Change, natural resource management or renewable energy
- Experience working with community groups in Pacific or similar locations
- Strong leadership and mentoring skills, and experience in working effectively across different stakeholders
- Developed organizational, administrative and project management skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Qualifications
- Minimum diploma qualifications or certified training in climate change or related area
Language skills and level required
- Bislama (desirable)
Any further attributes, experience, skills or qualifications that are desirable
- First Aid Certificate
- Experience working with community organizations and churches in developing countries
- Experience working with Red Cross Red Crescent or other humanitarian aid organizations in a similar role
- Experience in business administration or management
- Experience living/working in the Pacific