GOVERNMENT OF TONGA
MINISTRY OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Project Management Unit for the Green Climate Fund-Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector to the Impacts of Climate Change in Tonga.
6 VACANCIES
Applications are hereby invited to apply for the posts of National Project Coordinator, Financial & Administrative Assistant (Full- Time), 3 X Short-Term Expert for the Green Climate Fund -Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector to the Impacts of Climate Change in Tonga under the Natural Resources (MLNR).
For government employees, endorsement of the respective Head of Departments is required. All applications must be addressed to the CEO of Lands and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 5, Taufa’ahau Road, Nuku'alofa, Tonga and labeled “Project Management Unit for the GCF” and to reach his office no later than 4.30 pm, 19 April 2024.
Applicants are required to forward their applications with their “Curriculum Vitae” together with relevant documents such as certificates, transcripts, and testimonials.
[For queries, please contact: Ms Lavinia Taufa on telephone: 7401301 or e-mail cardenia07 [at] gmail [dot] com ].
Strengthening Resilience of the Water Resources Sector to the Impacts of Climate Change in Tonga Project is funded under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme. This Fund was established as a financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to support climate actions in developing countries.
These countries are extremely vulnerable to climate change and its adverse impacts because of their geographic and socio- economic status. They need considerable financing resources to facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change impacts.
Accessing and managing the GCF are still major capacity gaps for developing countries. The readiness and preparatory support programme of the GCF was therefore established to maximize the effectiveness of this fund and also to build the capacities of national governments and/or institutions in vulnerable countries to increase accessibility and effective management of these funds.
Readiness funds also assist developing countries to undertake adaptation planning and strategic frameworks to build their programming with GCF.
The overall goal of the project is to Improve the management and delivery of safe water supply for businesses and households and Improve weather, climate, environment monitoring, research, and service delivery through better- informed vulnerability, mitigation strategies, and adaptation measures. This project will support the Government of Tonga (GoT) to advance its Joint National Action Plan 2 (JNAP2) objective 4.1 and JNAP2 target 10 speaks to water security through integrated management and conversation. The Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015-2025(TSDFII) recognizes this and recommends in Pillar 5: Natural Resources and Environment Inputs, Sub 5.2: Improve use of natural resources for long-term flow.
The project consists of the following six inter-related outcomes:
- Competent staff under NRD to improve water resources monitoring and data collection.
- An operational National Water Resources Committee and establishment of Regional Water Resources Committees in the outer islands with effective Terms of Reference (ToR) in place.
- National Water Resources Policy developed and approved by Cabinet.
- Development of IWRM plans for 10 select vulnerable communities across Tonga.
- Prioritized Project Concept(s) developed for consideration by GCF to implement sustainable initiatives.
- Awareness training is conducted with materials developed for the public on how to manage water supplies at the community and household levels during times of disaster or water shortages.
A Project Management Unit (PMU) is established and responsible for carrying out day-to-day implementation of the project. National Project Coordinator, Financial Administrative Assistant (Full- Time), Short Term Expert X 3, will be recruited for the PMU.
Post 1- NATIONAL PROJECT COORDINATOR (full-time)
Scope of Work
The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will manage the project on a day-to-day basis and is accountable to the executing agency for the planning, management, quality control, timeliness and effectiveness of the activities carried out, as well as the management of funds. This officer will also ensure the regular monitoring, evaluation and reporting of activities implemented under the program.
The NPC will be located at the Natural Resources Division (NRD), Ministry of Land and Natural Resources (MLNR). He/she will report directly to the Deputy CEO for NRD. He/she will also work closely with the GCF focal point and the JNAP Technical Team.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Prepare annual work plan and budget + resources distribution
- Prepare agendas for quarterly update meetings with WRCs
- Oversee consultations with relevant stakeholders for the development of IWRM Plans for vulnerable communities
- Facilitate review of the National Water Resources Policy and conduct high level meetings with Cabinet.
- Conduct an annual review of the priority projects identified by NRD and evaluate prioritized project ideas consistent with GCF’s investment criteria
- Prepare Interim Progress and Completion Reports with the Delivery Partner for submission to GCF and shared with NDA
- Assist NDA Staff Stakeholders and AEs in strengthening project concept notes/ funding proposals including requests for PPF support against GCF review.
- Document key responses including mapping of past, existing and future activities
- Present revised CNs/FPs incl. PPF requests to the NDA focal point for feedback.
- The annual work plan and budget will be prepared by the PC to be reviewed by the Chief of the Natural Resources Division and approved by the Head of the Natural Resources Division.
- Oversee the overall implementation of activities under the project
- Manage the Project finance and oversee the overall resource allocation and where relevant submit proposals for budget revisions for the approval of GCF Secretariat;
- The NPC is also responsible for managing and monitoring the project risks initially identified and submit new risks to the Deputy Secretary for Natural Resources Division for consideration and decision on possible actions if required and updating the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
Qualification and Skills
- University degree- Post graduate Degree in Project Management with at least 2 years in a similar role OR Bachelor’s Degree in relevant discipline with 5 years working experience
- She/He must have good experience with developing project concepts and proposals.
- Familiarity with international organizations operations and structure;
- Good experience with Government and in interdepartmental procedures
- Familiarity with international negotiations and processes under the UNFCCC
- Fluent written and oral communication in Tongan and English
- Strong communications and interpersonal skills
- Excellent computer knowledge (MS Office, Internet)
- Tonga citizenship
Salary: $1500 USD per month
Duration: 24 months
Post 2: SENIOR TECHNICAL OFFICER (full-time)
Scope of the work
The Senior Technical Officer will be responsible for coordinating all technical activities of the project, in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator (NPC), Natural Resources Division and JNAP Technical Team.
The STO will report directly to the NPC. He/she will be located at the NRD, MLNR.
Roles and Responsibilities
- To act as the secretariat for the committee and briefly report to the PMU(Tongatapu)
- Arrange regular meetings with the Water Committee to report on water issues
- Responsible for the field survey operations
- Assist in conducting technical training of newly recruited staff to increase the capacity for rainwater and underground water data collection and analysis.
- Develop household survey forms
- Develop specifications for field equipment
- Develop training materials
- Compile field findings into a centralized database
- Assist the Shor-term Consultant in developing the IWRM Plans for 10 selected vulnerable villages across Tonga including village water systems
- Assist the Short -Term Consultant in facilitating community workshops to validate IWRM plans with a step-by-step procedure of its implementation, monitoring and reporting
- Assist NPC in prepared the annual work plan and budget and to be reviewed by Project Coordinator and approved by the Deputy Secretary for Natural Resources Division
- Assist NPC in ensuring the effective communication and adequate information flow with the relevant authorities,
- Institutions and government ministries and departments, NGOs and private sectors in close collaboration with the Deputy Secretary for Natural Resources Division, GCF focal point and the JNAP Technical Team;
- Assist NPC in the dialogue to discuss and update current and future projects for funding by GCF and other donors;
- Assume any other duties as determined by the PC
Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum Master’s Degree level in Water Related Fields with at least 5 years in senior role in Hydrology Related Projects in the Pacific
- Experience in Government and in interdepartmental processes and procedures;
- Fluency in both English and Tonga and proficiency in written and oral communication;
- Computer literate;
- Team work, strong time-management, organizational and inter-personal skills;
- Excellent skills for presenting technical and scientific reports in meetings, trainings and workshops;
- Tonga citizenship.
Salary: $1200 USD per month
Duration: 24 months
Post 3. FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT (full-time)
Scope of work
The Financial and Administrative will be responsible for managing finance and overall resource allocation. The FAA will report directly to the NPC. He/She will be located at the NRD/MLNR.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Assist the Project Coordinator in managing project finance and overall resource allocation
- Carry out monthly financial reconciliation with DP and prepare financial reports (monthly and quarterly)
- Regularly update asset registry and prepare robust hard copy/e-copy of archive filing system for the Programme
- Prepare quarterly narrative and financial reports and submit them to the Head of the Natural Resources Division and GCF Secretariat via the Chief for Natural Resources Division.
- Assist the NPC in overseeing the overall resource allocation and where relevant submit proposals for budget revisions for the approval of GCF Secretariat;
- Coordinate the procurement of services and goods under the program;
Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum University Degree - Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Economics, Administration & Management with At least 3 years of experience in a similar role
- Experience in Government and in interdepartmental processes and procedures;
- Fluency in both English and Tonga and proficiency in written and oral communication;
- Computer literate;
- Team work, strong time-management, organizational and inter-personal skills;
- Tonga citizenship.
Salary: $1000 USD per month
Duration: 24 months
Post 4: SHORT-TERM EXPERT 1 (INTERNATIONAL)
Scope of work
The Short term Expert 1 will be responsible for the implementation of Activities 2.2.1. This expert will report directly to the NPC. He/She will be located at the Natural Resources Division.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Evaluate available water resources and extraction method.
- Prepare water resources evaluation report
- Conduct household surveys incl. RWHS audit of select project sites.
- Prepare groundwater quality assessment report.
- Prepare assessment report on climate change impacts on water resources.
Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum Master’s Degree Level in Science, Earth Science, Chemistry and Hydrology
- At least 3 years of experience in monitoring and assessment on groundwater role in hydrology related projects in the Pacific.
- Computer literate;
- Team work, strong time-management, organizational and inter-personal skills;
- Excellent skills for presenting technical and scientific reports in meetings, trainings and workshops;
Salary: $500 USD
Duration: 30 days
Post 5: SHORT-TERM EXPERT 2 (INTERNATIONAL)
Scope of work
The Short-term Expert 3 will be responsible for the implementation of Activities 2.2.2. This expert will report directly to the NPC. He/She will be located at the Natural Resources Division.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Review existing National Water Resources Policy.
- Conduct stakeholders’ consultation to provide their feedbacks on the policy.
- Finalize the policy and submit to cabinet for endorsement.
Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum Master’s Degree Level in Law, Policy, Environmental Studies or Arts with at least 5years experience in similar roles.
- Computer literate;
- Team work, strong time-management, organizational and inter-personal skills;
- Excellent skills for presenting technical and scientific reports in meetings, trainings and workshops;
Salary: $500 USD
Duration: 60 days
Post 6: SHORT-TERM EXPERT 3 (LOCAL)
Scope of work
The Short-term Expert 3 will be responsible for the implementation of Activities 2.2.3. This expert will report directly to the NPC. He/She will be located at the Natural Resources Division.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Develop IWRM plans for 10 select vulnerable villages across Tonga.
- Facilitate community workshops to validate IWRM plans with a step-by-step procedure of its implementation, monitoring and reporting.
- Revise the National Water Resource Management Plan and propose relevant regulations under the Water Resource Act 2020
Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum Master’s Degree Level in Science, Earth Science, Chemistry and Hydrology
- Experience in Government and in interdepartmental processes and procedures;
- Fluency in both English and Tonga and proficiency in written and oral communication;
- Computer literate;
- Team work, strong time-management, organizational and inter-personal skills;
- Excellent skills for presenting technical and scientific reports in meetings, trainings and workshops;
- Tonga citizenship.
Salary: $350 USD
Duration: 50 days