INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

Kiribati is a founding member of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Together the Government of Kiribati and GGGI have been working to address targeted needs in green-growth, climate adaptation and mitigation and sustainable, low-carbon, development. GGGI seeks to complement the Government objective of the Kiribati National Vision 2016-2036 and works across a number of sectors in Kiribati including climate-smart agriculture, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, green-preneurship and green business development, climate finance absorption and climate finance network.

The Government of Kiribati acknowledges climate change as a national priority. The Office of the President leads on climate matters through the Climate Change Division. The Climate Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) is the national designated authority (NDA) for climate finance from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund.

The NDA, in collaboration with GGGI as the Delivery Partner, sought Readiness funding from the GCF that aims to implement the following climate priorities to improve Kiribati’s capacity to access climate finance and successfully engage with the Green Climate Fund through the project pipeline. To achieve this, the Readiness grant will focus on the following objectives:

1. Build and strengthen human, technical and institutional capacity within the NDA and across government, private sector and civil society organisations to undertake climate mandates,
2. Strengthen and ensure the effectiveness of the internal coordination and communication mechanisms across ministries and stakeholder groups to reduce duplication, improve climate planning and programming and successfully move projects through the pipeline,
3. Develop and implement climate finance-related strategies and plans including no objection procedures, and the Country Programme,
4. Support the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) to strengthen its policies and procedures, including their implementation, for the GCF FMCA re-accreditation, ensuring a strong and viable national delivery partner.

The CFD hosts the GCF Readiness Project Management Unit (PMU). The CFD Director coordinates with the GGGI, as the Delivery Partner for this GCF Readiness 2 Project, as well as other key stakeholders.

This GCF Readiness 2 Project is funded by the Green Climate Fund for a two-year duration ending in March 2026.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Assistant (PA) will be based in Tarawa, Kiribati, within the Climate Finance Division (CFD) of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED). The CFD hosts the GCF Readiness Project Management Unit (PMU) and through the CFD Director, coordinates with the GGGI as the Delivery Partner as well as key stakeholders.

The Project Assistant will work alongside the other PMU staff, CFD, MFED and other key partners in the Kiribati GCF Readiness Project. The Project Assistant will ensure the smooth delivery of the Readiness 2 components through logistical coordination, administration and technical support to the PMU.

PURPOSE

The Project Assistant will be responsible for providing technical, administrative and logistical support and assisting in in implementing GCF Readiness activities and other tasks in accordance with the approved work plan and budget.

ENGAGEMENT

The Project Assistant will report to the Project Manager of the GCF Readiness PMU and work with the Director of CFD, MFED, GCF Readiness PMU staff, and other key partners in the Kiribati GCF Readiness 2 Project. The Project Assistant will provide the technical, administrative and logistical support for the Readiness 2 Project and its activities. The Project Assistant will work with a wide range of technical-level partners and support the Project Manager, Climate Finance Coordinator and Director of CFD in activities required to deliver the readiness grant.

DELIVERY

The Project Assistant will be expected to:

• Assisting the CFD Director, Climate Finance Coordinator and the Project Manager in project activities required to deliver the readiness grant, including engagement and collaboration with key partners including the Office of Te Beretitenti (the President) and the Kiribati National Expert Group on Climate Change and Disaster Risk (the KNEG),
• Support the delivery of training and information sessions and the review and update of the strategic framework and country programme to engage with the GCF and other sources of multilateral climate funds,
• Participate in capacity-building initiatives and support the logistical planning and coordination of any training, workshops and conferences led by the CFD,
• Assist the Director in supporting the Minister as National Designated Authority for the Green Climate Fund, the focal point for the Climate Investment Fund and the Designated Authority to the Adaptation Fund, including No Objection Procedures to review and assess climate finance proposals, as required,
• Maintain the filing system of the office, prepare letters, internal memorandums, briefings and assist in preparing cabinet papers.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree, diploma or equivalent, in management, administration, finance, economics, climate change, environment, project management or a related field,
• Strong background and experience in administration and /or engagement with government institutions, NGOs, private sector and / or development agencies on similar assignments is highly preferred. Preferably minimum of one year of working experience.
• Knowledge of emerging environmental issues and challenges, particularly on climate change is an advantage,
• Credible experience working with multiple stakeholders at various levels, including bilateral development partners, multilateral development partners, and funding climate change funds would be desirable,
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills in English and I-Kiribati
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, MS Teams, and SharePoint, along with familiarity with online tools such as Zoom.

FUNCTIONAL

• Maintain accurate project information and records, including meeting minutes and action points.

• Project delivery and keeping track of plans, timelines and milestones.

• Quality assurance and ensuring that project activities are implemented to a high standard.

• An attitude of learning about project management, risk management, budgets and reporting

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills; including in making presentations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Determination of base salary is subject to the candidate’s experience, academic background, and internal equity.
• GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision.
• GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.
• The chosen candidate is expected to be based within the Climate Finance Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in Tarawa, Kiribati and will report to the Director, Climate Finance Division, MFED, and GGGI’s Country Representative to Kiribati, based in Suva, Fiji.