Biogas Project Coordinator

Job Description

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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are four (4) areas of scientific programming within this division:

1. 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.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. 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.
4. Earth and Ocean Observation Services – promoting spatial data and systems analysis and capacity to improve decision-making to improve resilience and sustainable resource management.

The role – Biogas Project Coordinator will ensure the effective inception and implementation of the Tuvalu Biogas Project, including stakeholder engagement, governance and technical support. Under the oversight of the Deputy Director of GEP and the Team Leader Energy Security, the Biogas Project Coordinator will oversee project operations and work programmes including budgetary expenditure and financial performance while coordinating with the Tuvalu Director of Energy on staff training and biogas system management and supporting national-level delivery of project outputs for the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Affairs (EAP).

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Overall management and delivery of Tuvalu Biogas Project

• Develop close, strong working relationships with key stakeholders (donor, Tuvalu national government, Department of Energy, local partners, and partner organizations particularly US State Government.
• Collaborate with SPC’s Energy Officer, Energy Security Team Leader and Director of Energy, to prepare work plans, procurement plan, communications plan, risk strategies, and exit and closure strategies.
• Lead monitoring and evaluation of the project’s implementation, including design of M&E plan, implementation of evaluation recommendations, best practices and lessons learned.
• Coordinate and manage all funded services, supplies and equipment in accordance with SPC procurement policies, donor and project beneficiaries.
• Lead the day-to-day management, implementation and coordination of all project activities; ensuring project objectives are realised in accordance with donor and SPC requirements, and project beneficiaries.

High-level technical advice and efficient project implementation

• Increase awareness, knowledge and skills of participating governments, partners and donor to enable the Tuvalu population to utilise affordable, reliable and environmentally sound energy and clean cooking services.
• Collaborate with development partners throughout the project and develop specific partnerships to jointly implement aspects of the project where mutually beneficial.
• Facilitate consultations with stakeholders to use national strategies to identify prioritized activities to be delivered through the project.
• Identify human capacity and policy gaps and implement prioritized capacity building activities depending on national requirements and priorities.
• Support Tuvalu’s Energy Plan through resource mobilization efforts, technical assistance and advice.

Strengthen Tuvalu Energy Office cooperation and coordination on Biogas Project

• Facilitate effective communication among and between national and community partners and development partners.
• Oversee the monitoring of an effective communications plan with project counterparts concerning the implementation of project activities including high-level liaison with Tuvalu national level ministers/secretaries, other senior government staffs directors, and Kaupule leaders where required and consultation with community, civil society, women’s and other groups as required.
• Support development of visibility and promotion of project activities and delivery through various media channels and other relevant in-country and regional mechanisms.
• Provide oversight of branding and marketing for the project ensuring all donor visibility requirements are fully incorporated.
• Manage the effective liaison and promotion of networking between key stakeholders and other individuals involved in project implementation and between projects where relevant.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A Post Graduate qualification in a discipline relevant to project management, international development, and/or renewable energy development or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years’ experience in a similar position with complex multi-location, multi-beneficiaries, ideally in the Pacific Islands.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience at project/management level.
• 3 years’ experience working within a regional or international institutional environment.
• Understanding of emerging new technologies such as renewable energy, Biogas Systems and climate change challenges facing the Pacific region.
• Thorough understanding of project management including project cycles, log-frames, monitoring and evaluation, and risk management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in a multicultural environment such as the Pacific Islands region.
• Excellent computer skills across necessary applications.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 31 March 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Biogas Project Coordinator is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,703‒3,379 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,137–10,171 (USD 3,596-4,494; EUR 3,311-4,139). 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 Noumea or Suva – SPC provides housing support in Noumea or Suva. 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 bilingualism, 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 Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 19 October 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000902

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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):

1. What are some good approaches for managing challenges and risks when implementing a project? OR What are some good approaches to managing relationships with multiple stakeholders, such as governments, development partners and communities?
2. What are some good approaches to supporting country partners with capacity building and technical expertise in implementing renewable energy projects?
3. What are some of the ways that biogas and/or other renewable energy technologies can address climate change challenges in the Pacific?

More information