Associate Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Officer

Applications are invited from nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories for the above position with SPREP in Apia, Samoa. Appointment is for a short-term up to 31 December 2006.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is an independent intergovernmental agency that provides assistance and technical advisory services to Pacific Island countries, territories and administrations in the protection and management of their environment to ensure they achieve sustainable development for present and future generations. SPREP’s membership comprises 21 Pacific Island countries and territories and 4 developed countries. SPREP has a current staff establishment of more than 70, inclusive of professional and support staff.

The SPREP Strategic Programmes is to be delivered through two programmes: Island Ecosystems and Pacific Futures. The Island Ecosystems Programme includes components of Terrestrial ecosystems management, coastal and marine ecosystems management, species of special interest and people and institutions. The Pacific Futures programme includes components of waste management and pollution control, environmental planning, climate change and atmosphere, environment monitoring, reporting and multilateral environmental agreements and regional coordination mechanisms. The ODS project is a component of the climate change and atmospheric program.

The ODS project is an outcome of the “Regional Strategy to implement the Montreal Protocol in the Pacific region”, which is a commitment by eight Pacific countries to phase-out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by 2005. The project has been extended to December 2006 to cater for three additional countries. Key elements of the project include: (i) institutional strengthening through setting up of national ozone offices, (ii) capacity building through training programmes for refrigeration technicians and customs officers, and (iii) establishment of national controls on imports of ODS through appropriate legislation, regulations and licensing systems.

The project is funded by the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund that includes the Government of Australia’s bilateral contribution and channelled through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). SPREP works in collaboration with UNEP DTIE (Division of Technology, Industry and Economics), UNEP ROAP (Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific) and Australia’s Department of Environment and Heritage in implementing the Regional Strategy.

Key Responsibilities and accountabilities

The Associate ODS Officer is responsible to the Manager, Pacific Futures Programme, through the Climate Change Adviser for the effective management and implementation of the Regional Programme for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol in the Pacific Region, in consultation and working closely with SPREP Staff and the Regional Consultant (ODS) in performing and implementing the following duties and activities:

• Facilitate the overall implementation, management and monitoring of the project;

• Coordinate activities to phase-out ODS with participating Pacific island countries (PICs), including :

• Where required, provide technical briefs for PICs to assist them with meetings convened by the Protocol Secretariat;

Required Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications (in a relevant field, preferably science based) from a recognized educational institution;

• At least 2 years’ work experience preferably in the Pacific islands region; and

• Be familiar with the Montreal Protocol and other related international agreements.

Highly Desirable

• Proven project management experience and the ability to meet project deadlines, often under difficult circumstances;

• A self starter who can work effectively as part of an inter-disciplinary an/or multi-cultural team;

• A proven ability to prepare project proposals and reports and good communication skills; and

• Applicants with a demonstrated interest in the environment and the protection of the atmosphere from Ozone Depleting Substances will be highly regarded.

Terms and Conditions

Grade: Appointment will be at Grade H of SPREP’s authorised salary scale for professional staff.

Salary: The basic salary range for this position is expressed in International Monetary Fund Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). The salary range is from 14,534 SDRs to a maximum of 21,289 SDRs (including COLDA), depending on the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience. From 1 September 2005, the equivalent salary in Samoan Tala is SAT$57,700 to a maximum of SAT$84,517 per annum (including COLDA).

Adjustments: Professional staff salaries and appropriate allowances are paid in Samoan Tala and adjusted every month based on the monthly average in the value of the SDR relative to the Samoan Tala (SAT) at the time the salary payment is processed. SDR movement however is limited to within 5% above or below a reference point set annually. Remuneration is paid monthly in SAT equivalent. The international currency exchange rate at the time of writing is approximately USD1.00 = SAT2.80.

Term: For those recruited from outside Samoa, the term begins from the day the appointee leaves his or her home to take up the appointment. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical examination, as well as a 6 months’ probationary period. Termination is by way of either (i) completion of term of contract or (ii) by way of one month’s notice by either party.

For staff recruited from outside Samoa, the following applies:

Relocation Expenses: SPREP will meet certain appointment and termination expenses for professional staff recruited from outside Apia, Samoa, including transport and accommodation en-route for the appointee and accompanying dependent(s) between home and Apia, and return, by the shortest and most economical route. This includes:

Establishment Grant: A lump sum, of SDR1,100 is payable upon taking up appointment and arrival in Apia.

Temporary Accommodation and Assistance: On arrival in Apia, the appointee and dependent/s are entitled to temporary accommodation at a suitable hotel or other fully furnished accommodation for up to 6 working days (or up to 12 days in circumstances as approved by the Director). Appointee will be assisted to settle into Apia. This will include help in finding suitable rental accommodation.

School Holiday Travel: One return economy class airfare between the place of education (home) and Apia each year to enable a dependent child being educated outside Samoa to visit parents.

Home Leave Travel: One return economy class airfare home after each completing eighteen months of service (for a 3-year term) except the last year, for the appointee and dependent(s). This condition does not apply under this short term appointment.

Privileges and Immunities: SPREP remuneration is tax-free for non-citizens or non-residents of Samoa, including duty-free importation of household and personal effects which have been owned and used by them for no less than six months, within 6 months of taking up appointment.

Repatriation allowance: The appointee is entitled to a repatriation allowance equivalent to two week’s basic salary, upon successful completion of contract.

For ALL professional staff, the following applies:

Cost of living differential allowance: Cost-of-living differential allowance reflects the difference in the cost of living between Suva and Apia. This allowance is reviewed periodically based on data determined by an independent reviewer.

Education Allowance: Education expenses maybe reimbursed against actual receipts for dependent children. For expatriate officers, the entitlement is limited to tuition and boarding fees up to a maximum of SAT15,600 per child with a maximum of SAT46,800 per family per annum. For local professional officers, the entitlement is limited to a maximum of SAT3,200 per child with a maximum of SAT9,600 per family per annum. This benefit is currently under review.

Housing Assistance: A rental assistance of 75% of the rent payable in Samoa for expatriate executive furnished housing is a component of remuneration for all professional staff. This supplement is currently under review.

Annual Leave: 25 working days a year (up to a maximum accumulation of 50 days).

Sick Leave: 30 working days a year (up to a maximum accumulation of 90 days).

Other Leave: Provisions also exist for maternity, family (compassionate and paternity) and special (without pay) leave.

Duty Travel: SPREP meets travelling expenses at prescribed rates necessarily incurred by staff required to travel away from Apia on official business.

Personal Accident Insurance: All employees are covered by SPREP’s 24 hour Life and Personal Accident Insurance Policy.

Medical Insurance: All employees and their dependents are entitled to have all reasonable medical, dental and optical expenses met by SPREP or by SPREP’s medical insurance scheme.

Superannuation: An expatriate contract staff member will receive a superannuation allowance of 7% of basic salary. For local contract staff, SPREP will pay 7% of basic salary to the Samoa National Provident Fund.

Definitions:

“ Dependent” means the financially dependent spouse or dependent child of an employee.
“ Dependent child” means an employee’s unmarried legally and financially dependent natural or legally adopted child who is:

“expatriate” means a professional staff member, not a citizen or permanent resident of Samoa, who resides in Samoa only by virtue of employment with SPREP.

Equal Opportunities: SPREP is an equal opportunities employer. Men and women are equally eligible for all posts in SPREP.

General: Appointment will be under the terms and conditions of SPREP’s Staff Regulations, a copy of which will be made available to the successful applicant.

Applications

Applications should be accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae containing full personal details (birth date, sex, nationality, marital status, number of dependents and age/s, health status, home address, and full contact numbers); qualifications and experience relevant for the position; previous and current appointments with salaries, names and contact addresses/numbers/E-mail of three professional referees who are prepared to provide testimonials. References, if available, are to accompany your application from three recent employers and/or supervisors. In addition, application should include copies of academic qualifications. Application should also indicate how soon you are available to start if successful, and must be addressed to: