The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer (Climate Finance Projects) within its Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme. This position will be located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.
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**ESS and GESI Officer (Climate Finance Projects)**will technical support to SPC’s Climate Finance Unit on integration of ESS and GESI considerations project and programme development and implementation, with a focus on Green Climate Fund projects. This includes engagement with, support and guidance to National Designated Authorities, line ministries, Direct Access Entities, Executing Entities and other country partners as well as support to the CFU, CCES and other SPC divisions as required.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
ESS and GESI technical support to project and programme development
- Lead quality control and enhancement of environmental, climate and social risk and impact assessments and management approaches into the formulation of climate finance design documents.
- Support project design consultants to strengthen the climate and environment rationale and activities in project proposals in alignment with SPC’s SER policy and Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), in compliance with SPC’s accreditation with GCF.
- Lead the enhancement and quality assurance of Environment and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environment and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Environment and Social Management Frameworks (ESMFs) and Gender Assessment and Action Plans (GAAPs).
- Draft and revise Terms of References for consultants related to ESS and GESI designs and document development in liaison with the SPC SER Practice Group.
ESS and GESI support to project and programme implementation
- Support Project Management Units (PMUs) in the co-ordination, management and implementation of project safeguards in compliance GCF and SPC policies and guidelines.
- Support relevant PMUs in the development and rolling out of safeguard monitoring and reporting systems for project-specific ESIAs, ESMPs, ESMFs and GAAPs.
- Advise PMUs on the coordination and implementation of relevant environmental and social audits for projects.
- Ensure the timely and accurate consolidation of ESS- and GESI-related reporting requirements at the project and portfolio levels.
- Provide technical backstopping and troubleshooting in high-risk projects.
- Monitor and ensure information, disclosure and grievance redress mechanisms are in place and functioning in alignment with SPC and GCF requirements.
- Participate in supervision missions to provide support to the implementation of ESIAs, ESMPs, ESMFs and GAAPs, as required.
ESS and GESI support and guidance to NDAs, DAEs and other country partners
- Design knowledge products for training on GCF-specific ESS and GESI requirements.
- Identify and implement trainings for NDAs, DAEs and local partner institutions on ESS and GESI requirements for GCF projects as required.
- Engage with NDAs to provide technical support on grievance redress mechanisms as required.
Technical support and capacity building to CFU, CCES and SPC divisions
- Keep abreast of and produce guidance materials to colleagues on changes to ESS, GESI and other related GCF policies and practices.
- In the case of any ESS or GESI related grievances, support relevant SPC divisions as necessary.
- Provide in-house training on ESS and GESI requirements under the GCF to relevant SPC staff and divisions on request and in liaison with the SPC’s SER Practice Group for ESS/GESI mainstreaming.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in social studies, business administration, international development or related fields.
Technical expertise
- At least 5 years of experience in ESS and GESI, including experience with gender equality analysis, planning and integration activities for international development projects and/or private sector diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Language skills
- Proficiency in English (oral and written).
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural and gender-sensitive 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 until 31 July 2025 and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration– the **ESS and GESI Officer (Climate Finance Projects)**is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 2,850-3,467 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 408,167-496,426 (USD 4,076-4,957; EUR 3,420-4,160). 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 New Caledonia.
Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia– SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. 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 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.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing date: 30 October 2022 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: SH000180
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. What are the key considerations to successfully mainstreaming environmental and social safeguards into climate change projects?
2. How does climate change impact on gender equity, social inclusion and human rights in the Pacific context?
3. Please provide an outline for a half-day training for National Designated Authorities on GCF-specific requirements on ESS and GESI.
