Project Coordinator (INTEGRE) based New Caledonia

The Pacific Community is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are renowned 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 EDF-10 (European Development Fund) funded INTEGRE project is designed to promote integrated coastal management (ICM) in those European Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in the Pacific that are participating in the project, and, more broadly, in the Pacific region.

Its overall objectives are as follows:

- Improve sustainable environmental management and development for the benefit of Pacific peoples

- Promote integrated coastal management with institutions, communities and partners in the region

- Strengthen regional cooperation in the area of sustainable development and better integrate the European territories into regional dynamics

It comprises two complementary and mutually supportive components, i.e.

• Component 1 covers activities at the regional level: exchanges and networking, formulating a methodology framework for implementing ICM, and support to territories;
• Component 2 covers activities designed to introduce the ICM approach at the nine pilot sites that have been selected by the territories as coherent management units representative of the region’s high and low islands and because of their major ecological importance, use by local communities and suitability as demonstration sites for integrated environmental projects. These sites are spread out over four Pacific OCTs (3 in French Polynesia, 3 in New Caledonia, 2 in Wallis and Futuna, 1 in Pitcairn).

The project is coordinated by a team of five at the Pacific Community (SPC): three territorial coordinators in charge of the sites in Wallis and Futuna (the Coordinator works out of the Wallis and Futuna Office of the Environment), French Polynesia (from French Polynesia’s Environment Department) and New Caledonia (the Coordinator is based at SPC in Noumea).  The Project Assistant and Project Coordinator (who is also in charge of the Pitcairn site) are also based at SPC in Noumea. This project is funded by the European Union, with an overall budget of some 12 million euros for the period 2013-2018.

The INTEGRE Project Coordinator is responsible for the effective implementation of the project as a whole. He or she is accountable to SPC, the project partners and donors and will, therefore, work in close collaboration with partner countries, SPC divisions and regional organisations such as SPREP. The position covers four major areas, namely project management, technical advice and support to partners involved in the project,  project communications and establishing and maintaining robust relationships with the various stakeholders.

Key selection criteria

 1.     Qualifications

- Post master’s qualification in environmental economics or development management. A master’s level qualification in project management and monitoring or doctorate-level qualification related to the position's requirements would be an advantage, although not essential.

 2.     Technical expertise

-   10 years of significant experience, at least five of which have been in international project management and integrated management

-   Demonstrated experience in managing relationships with local public officials, authorities and partners.

-   Experience in designing activity reports, reporting and relationships with donors.

-   Proven experience in budget management as part of similar multi-site, multi-partner projects

 3.     Essential skills

-   Ability to think strategically regarding current environmental issues in the Pacific

-   Ability to guide and influence others: real leadership capacity and experience

-   Ability to generate new approaches and develop original solutions

-   Be a good communicator and have well-developed political skills

 4.     Language skills

-   Fluent French (language of the agreements and reports) and proficiency in English is essential

 5.     Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

-   Cross-cultural skills and ability to work with team members from different cultural backgrounds

Required start date –This position is to be filled as soon as possible.

Remuneration – The INTEGRE Project Coordinator is a Band 13 position within SPC’s 2016 salary scale, with a salary range of 5,100 to 6,279 SDR (special drawing rights, including cost of living differentials ) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 731,073 to 900,044 (USD 7,089 to 8,727 or EUR 6,448 to 7,939). 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 will be based on annual performance reviews.  SPC salaries are not subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time.