Project Manager - Pacific Ocean Initiative (PM-POI)

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Job Description

The Secretariat of the Pacific Region Environment Programme (SPREP) is the regional organisation established by the Governments and Administrations of the Pacific charged with protecting and managing the environment and natural resources of the Pacific. The head office is based in Apia, Samoa with other SPREP offices in Fiji, the Republic of the Marshalls Islands, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. SPREP has around 160 staff and has an annual budget of approximately USD51 million in 2026. The establishment of SPREP in 1993 sends a clear signal to the global community of the deep commitment of Pacific Island Governments and Administrations for better management of the environment within the context of sustainable development. The strategic direction for SPREP is clearly set out in the 2017-2026 SPREP Strategic Plan. The Plan outlines the mandate, vision and programmes for the organisation, and places strong emphasis on effective delivery of services to SPREP Member countries and territories.

This role exists to provide strategic leadership and management for the Pacific Ocean Initiative and Project Management Unit (PMU) in implementing the activities to achieve outcomes and results.

Outcomes

Organisational Stakeholders
1. Project leadership and management
Provide leadership and management of the project and the project team. Facilitate, coordinate and manage components of the project in collaboration with the project team, SPC and national partners,Technical Programmes and Governance and Operations Departments of SPREP. Manage the day-to-day operations of the project including activity scheduling, task assignment, and resource allocation to ensure timely delivery of project outputs and outcomes. Collaborate with the project team and implementing partners to develop and implement Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWP&B) for the project. Provide guidance to implementing partners to ensure project activities are delivered in a timely and coordinated manner and in accordance with the approved project logframe, workplan and budget. Lead the development of project risk management strategy in collaboration with consortium and national partners and ensure quality control of outputs and outcomes.
2. Technical and policy advice, support and capacity building
Provide relevant information to support technical and policy advice to Pacific Island Countries and Territories for the identification, planning and implementation of activities related to coastal and marine ecosystems’ health and resilience, especially on regional cooperation and Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Support research and data analysis and consolidate findings to strengthen evidence based on coastal and marine ecosystems and resources at national and local level. Work with SPREP technical programmes to ensure an integrated and consistent approach to the development and implementation of project activities. Facilitate complementarities and synergies among project components, ensuring alignment with national and regional strategies dealing with coastal and marine ecosystems, resources
3. Communication and visibility
Work with the project’s Communications and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer to ensure communication and outreach activities are efficiently designed and implemented, in collaboration with SPREP and SPC Communications teams and stakeholders in accordance with AFD level 2 Communication and Visibility requirements.
4. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Work with the Communications and MEL Officer, SPREP MEL Adviser and SPC to establish a robust internal and external reporting system ensuring clear linkages and timely reporting to SPREP, donor, project steering committee and national partners. Lead the monitoring of project delivery and progress through established monitoring, evaluation and reporting processes, tools and platforms including through SPREP Project Management Information System (PMIS). Lead the development of high-quality reports, including technical, financial, and performance reports for submission to the donor, partners, and SPREP Members. Assist with the preparation of BCP’s contribution to SPREP’s annual report and Performance Implementation Plan. Prepare relevant briefings notes, updates and presentations about the progress of the Pacific Ocean Initiative when required.
5. Financial and project operational management
Support oversight of project funds and spending Work with the Senior Finance and Administration Officer to coordinate the development of project’s annual budget and procurement plan in consultation with SPC. Ensure a clean project audit is obtained on an annual basis. Lead the development of terms of references for services to support the implementation of project activities and review of deliverables. Work in collaboration with the SPREP Finance and SPC to prepare and submit financial reports to the donor.
6. Partnerships and collaboration
Maintain and strengthen effective partnerships and collaboration with the donor, implementing partners, beneficiary countries and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities - Critical Competencies

Competence	Description
Business
Strategic Development	Establish the strategic direction and steer the organisation towards its goals
Risk Management	Analyse and manage risk.
Change Management	Implement and manage changing situations resulting from a change in strategic/business.
Planning	Deliver results by developing, reviewing or following a work plan, action plan or operational plan.
Information Analysis	Make informed decisions by collecting and interpreting data and information
Communication	Exchange information through verbal communication
Customer
Relationship Building	Build beneficial relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
Quality Focus	Deliver quality.
Organisational Values	Display the organisation's image and value standards.
People
Leadership	Utilise a leadership position to influence people and events and to increase performance.
Self-Management	Manage your priorities and objectives efficiently and effectively
Professional
Technical Strength	Demonstrate knowledge of a specialist discipline.
Compliance	Comply with relevant laws and the policies and procedures of the organisation.
Financial Application	Apply financial principles and practices.
Operational
Health and Safety	Establish and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
Environment	Establish and maintain an environmentally friendly organisation

Qualifications

Qualification	Discipline	Notes
Preferred
Masters Degree	Biological Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Ecology, Environmental Engineering	Or relevant technical field

Work Knowledge and Experience

1. 1. Minimum qualifications of a Master’s degree in Ecology, Biological Sciences, environmental engineering/science/management, or other relevant technical field.
2. 2. At least 10 years of extensive project management experience and technical assistance on programmes/projects related to coastal and marine ecosystem conservation and management, with at least 7 years of this experience in a role requiring a similar degree of versatility and responsibility, including within the Pacific Islands region (experience in SIDS in other regions would also be an asset).
3. 3. Demonstrated solid knowledge and expertise in: a) Coastal and marine environment issues and challenges in the Pacific Island region, including main ecosystems and natural resources assessment and monitoring, conservation measures, local community-based fisheries management etc. b) Research institutions and technical partners involved in coastal and marine conservation. c) National and community structures and protocols in the Pacific island’s region.
4. 4. Excellent knowledge of the Pacific Island’s region, ability to work and collaborate within a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team environment as well as excellent experience in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with other CROP Agencies, governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
5. 5. Excellent understanding of donors’ procedures and reporting requirements, especially AFD, as well as excellent understanding of scientific and technical partners operating in French OCTs.
6. 6. Excellent experience at strategic and high level communications including t writing and high level of presentation and reporting to diverse audiences particularly in the Pacific setting.
7. 7. Excellent project management and leadership experience including the development of funding proposals, design and delivery of integrated work programme activities, monitoring and evaluation of performance, resource management as well as a good understanding of synergies and inter-linkages across the Secretariat’s regional and organisational priorities.

Interactions

Interaction	Comments
Internal
Senior Leadership Team.	Briefings/reporting/communications/participation
Biodiversity Conservation Programme	Coordination and support
Other SPREP Programmes.	Collaboration and coordination
Governance and Operations.	Guidance on internal processes e.g. procurement, budget preparations, payments, audit, etc.
External
Beneficiary countries.	Advice, assistance, communications and liaison
SPC.	Coordination and collaboration
AFD.	Consultations, collaboration and reporting
Delivery partners.	Project implementation planning and on-ground implementation
National, regional, and international organisations.	Coordination and communications

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