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Post Description:  Global Environment Facility (GEF)
                        Support Adviser (GEFSA)

Applications are invited for the above position with SPREP in Samoa. Appointment would be for a 3-year term.

SPREP is an Intergovernmental Organisation that assists Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) to protect and manage their environment to ensure they achieve sustainable development for present and future generations. SPREP’s membership comprises 21 Pacific Island countries and territories, together with 4 developed countries . It has a total staff of about 70 professional and support staff.

American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Sates of America, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna.

Background

In 2004 a report on the performance of the GEF in the Pacific found that PICs were experiencing difficulty gaining access to GEF funding compared to other Small Island Developing States . The report recommended that the GEF strengthen its coordination and support presence in the region.

PICs requested this strengthened GEF coordination at the 5th Pacific Environment Ministers’ Meeting in 2004, and the 3rd Regional Workshop on Overall Performance of the GEF (OPS3) in March 2005. In May 2006, the Pacific Island Forum Ambassadors Working Group in New York endorsed the concept of a GEF regional support position.

The need for regional support was reiterated by Pacific Island representatives at the Seventeenth SPREP Meeting in September 2006. Particular emphasis was placed on the new requirements under the GEF Resource Allocation Framework.

In August 2006, the GEF Secretariat, the governments of Australia and New Zealand, and the SPREP agreed that this position would be created in the region to support national level engagement in GEF processes and access to GEF resources.

The GEF Support Adviser for PICs will be employed by SPREP and based in the SPREP offices in Apia, Samoa. SPREP is a key regional agency facilitating international financing for sustainable development, biodiversity, and environmental protection and climate change in the Pacific including through the GEF. Funding support for this position will be provided by Australia and New Zealand.

“Views and Lessons: Effectiveness of the Global Environment Facility in the Pacific” Delta Networks and Pacific Environment Consultants, October 2004.

Objective

The objective of this position is to maximise PICs’ access to funding from the GEF’s 4th Replenishment.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

he GEF Support Adviser will be responsible to the Manager, Pacific Futures Programme, through the Sustainable Development Adviser.

Key tasks are expected to include (but not be limited to):

•  Assisting SPREP Members to identify environmental priorities for GEF funding;

•  Identifying opportunities for co-financing GEF projects;

•  Facilitating networking and information sharing among the GEF, Convention Secretariats, Implementing Agency officials, SPREP and GEF National Focal Points and stakeholders;

•  In full consultation with SPREP Members, facilitating and coordinating regional briefs to assist the Pacific Representative to the GEF Governing Council Meetings;

•  Reporting on the outcomes of the GEF Governing Councils and other matters at the Council that are particularly relevant to Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in a timely manner;

•  Providing briefings to those coordinating Pacific participation in the COP’s, in particular issues likely to influence or impact on the GEF and future allocation of funding to strengthen the capacity of Pacific SIDS to promote sustainable resource management and conservation, particularly those that produce global environmental benefits, and support efforts by Pacific SIDS to meet international environment-related obligations;

•  Liaising closely with GEF Implementing Agencies to facilitate relationships with PICs and improve information flow regarding opportunities and criteria for GEF projects’;

•  Providing information on the options presented through the various Implementing and Executing Agencies of the GEF;

•  Working together with the PICs and relevant partners, including CROP Agencies, to rationalize and prioritize regional projects for GEF funding according to prevailing and emerging GEF funding policies and strategies;

•  Collaborating with the GEF Secretariat, Implementing Agencies, and CROP Agencies, to assist with capacity building of national OFP’s, committees and other stakeholders, to improve access to, and effective and responsible management of, GEF resources;

•  Backstopping Pacific SIDS with the development of nationally driven projects, including from concept phase, project development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation;

•  Developing the capacity of SPREP Programme Officers (and other CROP Agencies where requested), responsible for coordinating the implementation of projects contributing to the major Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA’s), in understanding the relevant machinery and project cycle of the GEF;

•  Fostering improved collaboration amongst Regional Agencies, including through joint regional projects, involving GEF resources; and

•  Encouraging stronger links between ongoing national and regional projects and those GEF initiatives that are developed at the regional and global level.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

1. A substantial body (over five years) of work experience at a senior level, preferably within the Pacific Islands region, in a field relevant to the position;
2. Comprehensive understanding of GEF procedures, the GEF Resource Allocation Framework, and the institutional arrangements that support GEF funding and projects;
3. Commitment to improving environmental and development outcomes in PICs;
4. Excellent communication, liaison, negotiation, and representation skills, including cross-cultural communication;
5. Willingness / ability to work and travel in the Pacific;
6. Familiarity with PICs and the environmental issues or constraints facing them;
7. Project management experience; and
8. A good understanding of the MEA’s that the GEF is the funding mechanism for, as well as obligations the PICs have as signatories to these Conventions.

Highly Desirable

1. A tertiary qualification in a discipline that supports the objectives of this position.
2. Experience in developing and reviewing GEF project proposals and associated documentation.

Anticipated Outcomes

The GEF Support Adviser will be expected to support this objective by contributing to the following outcomes:

1.   Improved knowledge and capacity in the region regarding GEF processes and procedures, in particular the requirements under the Resource Allocation Framework (RAF).

2.   Improved quality and quantity of country and regional project proposals that PICs submit to the GEF council.

3.   Greater awareness among PICs and regional agencies of similar, related, or duplicative environment projects across the region.

4.   Better understanding among countries and regional agencies of the processes roles and functions of the different machinery of the GEF including implementing and executing agencies.

5.   Greater understanding of the special circumstances of the PICs in the GEF Secretariat and GEF implementing and executing agencies.

6.   Increased delivery of environmental benefits nationally among PICs, regionally and globally.

Terms and Conditions

Duty Station: Apia, Samoa.

Duration:   Appointment is for a term of 3 years.

Grade:   Appointment will be at Grade J 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 34,415 SDRs to a maximum of 45,781 SDRs (including COLDA), depending on the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience. Currently, the equivalent salary in Samoan Tala is SAT$140,486 to a maximum of SAT$186,882 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 = SAT2.81.

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:- economy class airfares; and- reasonable cost of packing, insuring, shipping and unpacking furniture, household and personal effects as follows:- 6m3 for the staff member;- 2m3 for dependent spouse;- 1m3 for each dependent child; and- up to 20 kilos of excess baggage for the appointee (and family) if recruited from outside of Apia.

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.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 or recognized home and Apia each year (except the last) to enable a dependent child being educated outside Samoa to visit parents, or either parent to visit the child.

Home Leave Travel: One return economy class airfare home after completing 18 months of service (for a 3-year term) except the last year, for the appointee and dependent(s).

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 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, to cover up to 75% of the actual cost of tuition and boarding fees only. Currently the allowance is up to a maximum of Samoan Tala $15,600 per annum per dependent child, with a maximum of Samoan Tala $46,800 per annum per family of 3 or more eligible children.

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.

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:- under the age of 16 years; or- under the age of 19 years if undertaking full-time study at a secondary school; or under the age of 22 years if enrolled and undertaking full-time study at a university or other tertiary institution; or mentally or physically incapacitated.

“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 must address selection criteria and be accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae containing full personal details (birthdate, 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:

The Director
SPREP                      Telephone: (685) 21 929
PO Box 240                Fax: (685) 20 231
Apia, Samoa               E-mail: SPREP@sprep.org

Closing Date: 15 December 2006.

Late applications will not be considered.