Senior advisor - National action plans

Applications are invited for the position of Senior Adviser, National Action Plans in the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), located in Suva, Fiji Islands.

This position is being re-advertised and those that applied previously need not re-apply.

With funding support provided by the ACP-EU Natural Disaster Facility, SOPAC has established a National Action Plans Unit under the Community Risk Programme with a responsibility for leading the development and implementation of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) National Actions Plans (NAP) for Pacific ACP countries. The NAPs are intended to be a national adaptation in each Pacific country of the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters (Regional Framework).

The Regional Framework is the premier guiding instrument for DRM in the region and was approved by Heads of Government at the Pacific Islands Forum meeting held in Madang, Papua New Guinea in October 2005.

To facilitate the development and implementation of NAPs SOPAC works in close collaboration with members of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network (Partnership Network) which was formed in February 2006 to, amongst other things, assist Pacific Islands Countries with the development and implementation of NAPs.

The successful applicant will be the head of the newly established NAP Unit under the Community Risk Programme and be responsible to the Manager of the Community Risk Programme for the provision of advice and support to SOPAC member countries for the development and implementation of NAPs. In this role the Senior Adviser will liaise with representatives of the Partnership Network and with focal points and other stakeholders of Pacific countries to initiate the development of NAPs and will lead the organisation of each stage of the NAP process including implementation.

Applicants should possess the following knowledge, skills and experience:
- A post graduate qualification in development planning/economics, or a disaster risk management-related discipline AND/OR extensive experience in a senior position in a Pacific Government in development planning and budgeting.
- Extensive experience in policy development and the provision of policy advice to governments of developing countries particularly in the Pacific.
- Experience in basic human resources development/management practices and in particular the ability to coach and mentor Pacific country counterparts towards the achievement of strategic and operational goals.
- An in-depth understanding of the prevailing international and regional disaster risk management issues and concerns.
- Knowledge of key regional/international policies and mechanisms for disaster risk management.
- Good understanding of the cultures and the working environments of Pacific countries and the ability to be proactive in developing new ideas to serve and to address the needs of member countries.
- Experience in a supervisory role within an organisation and familiarity with basic leadership and project management practices.

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential to communicate with member country governments and other regional and international organisations. Knowledge of other languages and demonstrated work in multicultural environments is an asset.
Strong PC based computer skills, Microsoft applications (in particular, Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under limited or no supervision.

All applications should be fully documented and include relevant details ofqualifications, experience and the names and contact of three referees.

This is a three-year position initially, and an attractive salary and benefit package will be offered, commensurate with terms and conditions agreed to by the governing bodies of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific.

For further information on this position including a detailed position description and terms and conditions of employment please contact the SOPAC Administration Officer at Phone (679) 338 1377; Fax (679) 337 0040; E-mail:[email protected] or visit the SOPAC website: www.sopac.org