• New Zealand Government support programme - 12 months assignment
• Located in Honiara, Solomon Islands - To start as soon as possible 2019
• Biosecurity experience desirable but not essential

The New Zealand Government has approved funding to support Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu to manage the biosecurity response to a new strain of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB-G). This support will be directed through three work streams and includes partnerships and collaboration with partner Governments, Crown Research Institute AgResearch, and the South Pacific Community (SPC) to deliver on a large pest and disease/biosecurity incursion response activity which will contribute to New Zealand's aspirations for a prosperous and secure Pacific. The invasion of CRB-G has been identified in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, and a previous strain is entering new locations such as Western Province of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu (strain to be confirmed). This beetle has the potential to cause widespread destruction of coconut and oil palm production by killing and damaging the trees, threatening economic resilience of Pacific Island countries and food security.

The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Programme Manager role will be based in Honiara, Solomon Islands and provide critical support across Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The position involves programme management of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle projects and contracted supplier relationships to ensure that the overall outcomes of the Activity are delivered.

The Objectives of this role are to:

• Maintain awareness and understanding of the present incursion situation, and strategic oversight of how New Zealand funding can be best leveraged to respond across the funded components.
• Manage contracted deliverables for each of the activity projects including relationship management, consolidation of monitoring and reporting of project deliverables, outputs and outcomes; financial reporting; and risk management.
• Work in collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure MFAT funding complements the objectives and operations of other participants in the response efforts.
• Adaptive management, governance and decision-making regarding project delivery plans (in consultation with the MFAT).
• Participation in in-country industry and donor working groups related to the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle response and delivery of tasks and actions as assigned.
• Work with stakeholders to finalise and confirm the necessary strategic response at a regional and national level and the required resourcing and funding to support this plan.
• Work with New Zealand and in-country stakeholders to coordinate and deliver an "Implementation Case" as part of the overall Business Case for on-going long term New Zealand support to the Pacific Response to Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle.
• Support and mentor partner stakeholders through provision of technical advice and input into local operations of incursion response.

The qualifications and expertise required to be successful in this role will include (among other things):

• At least five years' experience in programme/project management (including relationship management, budgeting and financial reconciliations, and contract administration).
• Qualification in agriculture science, environmental science, biology, ecology or similar field.
• Related work experience of minimum five years in the area of biosecurity, conservation, entomology, pest and disease incursion response, or plant health.
• Understanding of development principles and the context of working in developing countries.
• Ability to manage effective communication across both project and programme levels
• Ability to establish rapport, communicate effectively, and work with, people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and education
• Political sensitivity and stakeholder engagement - ability to interact with key government officials and adjust approach to obtain outcomes
• Ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate New Zealand Government security clearance.
• Sound written and verbal communication skills including competence in Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Strong planning and organising skills, and ability to prioritise workload and coordinate a range of tasks simultaneously.

Working closely with representatives of the New Zealand High Commission to the Solomon Islands, you will be required to build positive and productive relationships. You will have the ability to be politically sensitive and recognise the importance of stakeholder engagement; be self-managing and work independently; be highly organised, have self-motivated structured programme and reporting work habits, and understand and respect the culture and diversity of the environment.

This role will appeal if you are interested in being part of a programme that directly contributes to the enhancement of local communities in the Solomon Islands. The initial assignment will be for up to 12 months full time, with an option to extend to a further 12 months. Anticipated start in September 2019 (or as soon as possible), this role is located in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and will include travel to Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

Closing date for applications: 5:00pm (NZ Time) on Wednesday 31st July 2019

Hudson Recruitment has been engaged to manage this procurement process. Please refer all correspondence, queries or requests for more information, instructions on how to apply (please note that I am unable to accept your application via email) and a copy of the full Role Description to:

Rebecca Wilson

Principal Consultant, Hudson, Wellington, New Zealand

Office: +64 4 917 9200

DDI: +64 4 917 9270

Cell: +64 21 429 154

Email: rebecca.wilson@hudson.com