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 Office 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 Climate Finance Division (CFD) of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED), together with GGGI, is seeking to recruit a Project Officer (PO) for this GCF Readiness 2 Project. The PO will be based in Tarawa, Kiribati, within the CFD, MFED. The PO will work alongside the GGGI staff, CFD, MFED, and other key partners in the Kiribati GCF Readiness 2 Project. The PO will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Readiness 2 components, including oversight of the delivery of grant activities and procurement and contract management of work to be undertaken through this Readiness project such as reporting, financial management, monitoring, and evaluation. Responsibilities include:

• Day-to-day project coordination of inputs from stakeholders into the planning and delivery of activities, coordination of project team/consultants and Professional Service Companies with which the project will engage.
• Overall operational compliance and the delivery of activities and achievement of outputs as specified in the Project Document

PURPOSE

The Readiness 2 Project Officer will oversee project delivery, ensuring results and outcomes align with the project framework. The Project Officer will also guarantee timely delivery while adhering to the terms and conditions of the execution agreement between the Government of Kiribati, GGGI and GCF.

The Project Officer will manage daily project operations, coordinate stakeholder input into activity planning and execution, and supervise the project team, consultants, and professional service companies involved in the project.

ENGAGEMENT

The Project Officer will:

• Liaise regularly with the NDA and GGGI on project management and implementation, monitoring the progress of the project, tracking of activities in accordance with the agreed timelines for delivery of outputs, and preparation of the necessary progress reports to GCF and the NDA.
• Serve as GGGI’s and the NDA’s focal point on the Kiribati GCF Readiness 2 Project
• Promote effective coordination, build strong relationships and foster collaboration between stakeholders.
• Expand GGGI’s visibility in Kiribati as a trusted advisor to the GCF Readiness 2 Project by facilitating discussions between the Government and stakeholders such as the CFD, MFED and other government ministries.
• Uphold and expand GGGI’s reputation during the tenure of the project.

DELIVERY

The Project Officer will be embedded within the Climate Finance Division, MFED, and will be responsible for:

• Managing recruitment of personnel and procuring services and expertise to undertake project activities,
• Managing financial management and reporting, including (a) budgeting and reporting through the Delivery Partner, NDA and GCF; and (b) financial disbursements; and (c) arrangement of audits and other project reports,
• Managing the Project Management Unit staff and consultants,
• Leading on progress reporting to the GCF for the NDA and GGGI,
• Tracking and monitoring activities against the implementation plan, including project reviews,
• Undertaking and coordinating stakeholder consultations and maintaining professional relationships with the NDA, GCF and the project key partners,
• Supporting in-country missions by readiness consultants and professional services to provide in-person support,
• Preparation of project closing documents including any reporting needed, externally audited financial statements and required deliverables.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher-level qualification, in a relevant field, such as project management, climate change, governance and public policy, international development, business administration or a similar field. Postgraduate studies are an advantage.
• Relevant experience preferably in environment and climate change, governance and policy, project management, institutional capacity development, and finance working within government institutions, NGOs and / or development agencies on similar assignments. Preferably, minimum of three years.
• Relevant experience in environment and climate change, governance and policy, project management, institutional capacity development, and finance, preferably within government institutions, NGOs, and/or development agencies.
• Proven experience in project management and coordination with government agencies, private sector, NGOs, and other development partners, both nationally and internationally.
• Knowledge and understanding of climate change issues in Kiribati and the Pacific is preferred.
• Proven track record in stakeholder engagement and consultation with government agencies, development agencies, NGOs, private sector, and the community.
• Experience in grant management or working on development partner-funded projects is an advantage.
• Project management experience, including delivering results on time and within budget.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and familiarity with online tools (e.g., MS Teams, SharePoint, Zoom) is required.
• Excellent English reading and writing skills is required. Written and spoken proficiency in I-Kiribati is highly desirable.

FUNCTIONAL

The Project Officer will demonstrate leadership within teams, support open communication, and build a culture of learning and achievement within the Project Management Unit for this Readiness 2 project. Other traits include:

• A demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision to meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication (both written and oral) and facilitation skills.
• Innovative thinker, able to see opportunities across different sectors/disciplines.
• Anticipate and provide necessary technical and content-based support.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement, client relationship, communication and consensus building skills.
• Leadership, team work and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary teams; has stakeholder engagement, client relationship, and consensus building skills.
• Proven project delivery experience, i.e. managing the delivery of results on time and on budget.
• Willingness to be based in Tarawa for the duration of the project.

CORPORATE

• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Excels at problem solving, ask questions and seeks support when needed, shares easily information and knowledge with others both internally and externally.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.
• Be able to lead, develop and motivate staff and support the GCF/GGGI/PMU Team to make sound decisions.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills.
• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision and values.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Determination of base salary is subject to 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.