Implementation Adviser - PCREEE

Country: Tonga Organization: Pacific Community Closing date: 6 Dec 2026 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division: • Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development. • Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use. • Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation. The Implementation Adviser – PCREEE will be pivotal in implementation, delivery and reporting on the annual work programme and budget of the PCREEE during its Third Operational Phase: 2027-2031. The role will work collaboratively with the Manager of the PCREEE as well as the rest of the PCREEE Team, the Georesources and Energy Programme of the GEM Division as well as partners and the Global Network of -Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC). The key responsibilities of the role include the following: Work Programme and Budget Design • Design the annual planning and periodically review the PCREEE work programme, portfolio and budget, ensuring alignment with the PCREEE Business Plan, regional priorities, SPC strategic frameworks and donor commitments • Translate regional energy priorities and identify emerging opportunities, trends into coherent programme strategies, investment priorities, concept notes and initiatives • Provide technical advice to the PCREEE Manager, governance bodies, and senior stakeholders on programme direction, delivery options, resource requirements and risks • Maintain continuous engagement through high level stakeholder consultations with governments, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector to shape programme design • Establish integrated portfolio planning, prioritisation and performance arrangements across PCREEE projects and funding streams Work Programme Coordination and Implementation • Be responsible for the coordinated implementation and delivery of a complex portfolio of multi-country and multi-donor renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes • Oversee the development, effective execution and expansion of the national G-RES project portfolio and facilitate SIDS-SIDS cooperation under the GN-SEC/G-RES platforms • Set delivery priorities, implementation standards and accountabilities across project teams, consultants, secondees and implementing partners, and resolve delivery constraints • Mobilise and coordinate national and regional expertise, institutional partnerships and implementation capacity across member countries, SPC, CROP agencies, development partners and the private sector. • Build and maintain high-level partnerships with governments, regional organisations, development partners, financial institutions, industry bodies and private sector stakeholders. • Oversee programme performance, financial and resource utilisation, quality assurance, procurement dependencies, risk management and compliance with agreed obligations. • Facilitate regional collaboration and knowledge exchange to strengthen renewable energy and energy efficiency outcomes across Pacific Island countries and territories. • Supervise and mentor direct report and contribute to building organisational and partner capacity. Reporting, Visibility and Knowledge Management • Ensure an integrated performance, monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting framework across the PCREEE portfolio. • Ensure timely, accurate and high-quality reporting to SPC, donors, and relevant regional frameworks. • Interpret portfolio evidence, emerging risks and lessons to advise management, support decisions and improve programme design and delivery. • Set the strategic direction for PCREEE communications, knowledge management, advocacy and visibility, ensuring technical integrity and consistent positioning. • Oversee the production and dissemination of technical publications, knowledge products, success stories and outreach materials. • Oversee the preparation of technical publications, knowledge products, success stories and promotional materials. Resource Mobilisation and Investment Promotion • Engage with governments, donors, climate-finance institutions, development banks, investors and private-sector partners to convert regional priorities and country pipelines into viable financing opportunities. • Ensure effective governance of the Prospectus Partners Group and maintain current, credible country profiles and project pipelines. • Design and ensure delivery of regional and national investment forums and dialogues that connect priority projects with finance, technical support and partnerships. • Develop and advance funding proposals, co-financing arrangements and strategic partnerships that diversify and strengthen the sustainability of the PCREEE portfolio. For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description. Key selection criteria Qualifications • A postgraduate degree from a recognized institution in a discipline relating to energy or similar field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience. Technical expertise • At least 10 years of demonstrated technical delivery experience in a national / regional energy office or a similar field. • Demonstrated experience and success in working with various donors and development partners, the private sector, the academia and the media • Proven history of successfully planning and coordinating training workshops and investment forums, consultancy studies, consultation and planning meetings as well as awareness and promotional activities. • Knowledge in key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, industry, etc. • Proven ability to influence work collegially and in partnership with stakeholders and internal partners towards an agreed outcome. • High-level verbal and written communication skills and the capacity to represent SPC effectively, at regional and international forums. • Proven ability in project design, management and reporting. • Ability to work constructively to resolve issues, concerns or differences of opinion. • Good Financial management skills. Language skills • Good communication skills in English. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness • Knowledge of the Pacific Island countries and understanding context in the Polynesian countries. Salary, terms and conditions Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 2 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance. Remuneration – the Implementation Adviser – PCREEE is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,739–4,632 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately USD 5,010–6,208 (EUR 4,521–5,601). 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 Tonga. Tonga nationals employed by SPC in Tonga will be subject to income tax. Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Nuku’alofa – SPC provides a housing allowance of USD 1,000–2,000 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 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: 6 December 2026 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time) Job Reference: CR000640 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): • Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) have ambitious renewable energy and energy efficiency goals, but translating these ambitions into implementation and investment remains challenging. As implementation adviser for PCREEE, what practical actions would you prioritise to help countries develop and deliver bankable, implementable, and sustainable energy projects? • Describe one or two partnerships you have facilitated across government, development partners, the private sector, utilities, or other stakeholders that resulted in tangible energy or development outcomes. What was your specific role, what challenges did you encounter, and how would you apply this experience in the implementation adviser for this PCREEE role? • Why is climate resilience critical to renewable energy investment and implementation in PICTs? Using a practical example, explain how you would integrate climate resilience into the design, financing, and implementation of a renewable energy project.