Kiwa Regional Technical Assistance Coordinator

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 Sustainability (CCS) division strengthens and streamlines SPC’s 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 sustainability, works with SPC’s regional and international partners and promotes the integration of these issues into all development activities conducted by its divisions.

The Kiwa Regional Technical Assistance Coordinator will coordinate SPC’s delivery of the Kiwa Initiative Phase II Regional Technical Assistance, providing overall coordination of programme activities, technical oversight for ecosystem and forest restoration interventions, and ensuring effective administration and financial management of the financing agreement. The position will work closely with SPC’s Land Resources Division to support the technical quality and implementation of restoration activities and liaise with the dedicated GEDSI Adviser within the Human Rights and Social Development Division to promote inclusive, equitable and socially responsive approaches across all activities.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Coordination & Financial Management

• Coordinating SPC’s delivery of the Kiwa Technical Assistance, ensuring coherence across restoration, GEDSI, and knowledge-sharing components.
• Acting as focal point with the Kiwa Secretariat, AFD, SPREP, and other partners.
• Preparing and submitting progress reports, ensuring accuracy of technical and financial data.
• Overseeing the financing agreement, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, and audits.
• Coordinating with SPC’s Finance, Procurement, MEL, and Legal units to ensure compliance with SPC and donor standards.
• Ensuring timely responses to requests from AFD, the Kiwa Secretariat, and partners.

Capacity Strengthening and Technical Oversight for Forest and Ecosystem Restoration

• Providing technical oversight on ecosystem/forest restoration, in close partnership with LRD.
• Identifying specific needs from Kiwa’s grantees and partners.
• Guiding the design, delivery, and monitoring of the restoration-focused micro-qualification.
• Supporting targeted capacity building activities for Kiwa’s grantees and partners including national forestry/environment departments.
• Documenting lessons learned and best practices on restoration approaches.
• Ensuring restoration work integrates NbS principles and is scientifically sound and context-specific.

GEDSI Integration

• Working in collaboration with the GEDSI Adviser from HRSD.
• Ensuring GEDSI principles are systematically embedded across restoration and NbS activities.
• In collaboration with HRSD GEDSI Adviser, supporting Kiwa grantees to unpack, scale up, and mainstream GEDSI in their NbS projects.
• Facilitating the production of GEDSI-related tools, case studies, and knowledge products.
• Promoting inclusive participation and equitable access in all Kiwa-supported training and events.

Stakeholder Engagement & Regional Knowledge Sharing

• Fostering peer-to-peer learning and regional knowledge exchange on restoration and GEDSI.
• Coordinating the development and dissemination of case studies, knowledge products, and communication materials.
• Promoting Pacific-led restoration and inclusive NbS practices at regional and international events.
• Engaging with government agencies, NGOs, and training institutions to strengthen ownership and uptake.
• Ensuring alignment with SPC’s communications strategy and Kiwa visibility requirements.
• Identifying opportunities and supporting resource mobilisation to scale up restoration efforts in the Pacific.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in environmental management, forestry, natural resources management, climate change, or a related field, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 8 years of professional experience in forestry, ecosystem restoration, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, or NbS programming.
• Experience in project management and coordination of multi-partner, donor-funded initiatives, including work planning, reporting, and budget oversight.
• Proven technical expertise in forest and ecosystem restoration, covering practical restoration practices (such as seed collection, nursery management, propagation, site preparation, and species selection in tropical and island ecosystems) as well as capacity building and applied training in Pacific or similar contexts.
• Experience engaging with government forestry/environment departments, universities, and training institutions in the Pacific.
• Experience coordinating cross-cutting functions such as GEDSI integration into technical programmes.
• Good communication skills across multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments.

Language skills

• Fluency in English (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Solid understanding of the Pacific region, including political, cultural, environmental, and socio-economic contexts.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This contract is budgeted until 31 December 2029 and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Kiwa Regional Technical Assistance Coordinator is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,703‒3,379 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,354–10,442 (USD 3,623-4,528; EUR 3,269-4,086). Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. 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 10% 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.