Senior Project Officer - Sustainable Maritime Transportation Program Lead

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. 

GGGI's program in the Pacific supports green growth and climate action across different sectors in five GGGI members countries - Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu - as well as other partner countries in the Pacific. Since 2015, GGGI's work in Pacific renewable energy and green cities sectors have included projects in the transport sectors. As part of GGGI’s rapidly growing project portfolio in sustainable transportation, GGGI will implement a 4-year regional program that started in January 2025 to help decarbonize the maritime sector in Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. 

GGGI has developed the regional program, “Decarbonizing the maritime sector through low-carbon maritime transport roadmap and MRV systems for Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu”, to support the preparation, enabling, financing, and roll-out of low-carbon maritime transportation projects as a part of a low-carbon maritime transport roadmap in Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu, including the design of an Alternate Marine Power (AMP) pilot initiative along with monitoring, reporting and verifying (MRV) systems. Together with the Governments of Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu, GGGI will assess and determine the most appropriate location with conditions that are best suited to implement the pilot initiative. The AMP pilot initiative and MRV systems design are informed by a larger policy study, feasibility studies, and integrated planning to phase in and enable investments in low-carbon maritime transportation for Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu.  

GGGI will support the decarbonization of the maritime sector in the Pacific by assisting the governments of Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, guided by the following objectives: 

• Support the governments of Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu in developing a low-carbon maritime transport roadmap in each country. The roadmaps will guide collaborative action towards a cleaner maritime sector. 

• Design and implement a robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system for greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime transport sector.  

• Pilot the use of Alternate Marine Power (AMP) to significantly reduce air pollution from diesel generators. The pilot projects will demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of shore-based electricity for vessels at port. 

• Develop and implement investment projects aligned with the low-carbon maritime transport roadmaps.  

• Provide capacity building programs to enhance the skills and knowledge needed to manage and operate low-carbon maritime transport technologies, AMP systems, and MRV systems.  

The expectation is that this approach will successfully create an enabling environment for low-carbon maritime transportation with relevant governments and organizations. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Program Lead to lead the implementation of this impactful regional program. The Program Lead will be responsible for the overall planning, execution, and monitoring of the program to ensure that the three main outcomes are achieved:   

• Implementation of a coherent roadmap for facilitating the adoption of inclusive low-carbon maritime transportation in Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu.   

• Increased opportunity and commitment for investments in low-carbon maritime transport systems; and   

• Strengthened institutional and human capacity for low-carbon maritime transport, AMP and MRV as well as improved alignment among stakeholders and the private sector.   

PURPOSE 

The primary role of the Program Lead is to ensure timely delivery and safeguarding the consistent quality of outputs and activities of the Program. The Program Lead directly oversees the work of the three Project Officers who lead in-country implementation, ensuring consistency in approach, communication, and reporting across the three different countries. The Program Lead leads the program team by providing technical guidance to deliver project outputs, by leading the delivery of some of the key outputs, and by ensuring process integrity in program operation and specific output delivery, fully meeting established institutional policies, standards and donor requirements across budget execution, procurement and HR processes implementation and other operational functions.  

The role includes the following specific tasks: 

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive low-carbon maritime transport roadmap for Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu. 

• Lead a team of expert staff and consultants to design and implement AMP pilot projects in selected major ports in the three project countries, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of shore-based power for ships. 

• Establish robust MRV systems for the maritime sector in all three countries, enabling effective monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Build institutional and human capacity for low-carbon maritime transport systems among key stakeholders. 

• Develop funding proposals for investments in low-carbon maritime transport through various mechanisms, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF). 

• Manage and mentor a team of diverse program staff while ensuring effective communication and collaboration. 

ENGAGEMENT 

• Foster strong high-level stakeholder engagement and ensure inclusive participation in project activities. 

• Work closely with government counterparts in Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, as well as with GGGI staff and other project partners. 

• Properly manage and respond to requirements from the Korean Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries.  

• Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including private sector investors, NGOs, and civil society organizations. 

• Facilitate stakeholder consultations, workshops, and training sessions. 

• Represent the project at meetings and conferences. 

DELIVERY 

The Program Lead will lead a team of staff and consultants to deliver the key project outputs, including: 

• Market and Policy/ regulatory assessment of investment needs, barriers, and opportunities. 

• Low-carbon maritime transport roadmap for the three program countries. 

• Integrated Maritime transport MRV system design for the three project countries. 

• A pipeline of bankable inclusive low-carbon maritime projects enabling local entrepreneurs (including SMEs) to increase investment momentum. 

• Technological, environmental and economic feasibility study to demonstrate the viability of financing and implementing a low-carbon maritime transportation system in Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. 

• Design and implementation of Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) pilot projects.  

• Options for encouraging investment and de-risking private sector investment are developed together with government partners and the private sector. 

• A relevant project or program for the GCF or other climate funds and investors.  

• Capacity building and knowledge exchange among key government and other stakeholders, e.g. from the private sector, to support project implementation and the sustainability of project results beyond project duration.  

• Monitoring and evaluation of project indicators in line with ODA requirements 

In addition to the above deliverables, the Program Lead will: 

• Develop and implement a detailed project work plan, ensuring tasks are completed on time and within budget. 

• Manage project risks and issues proactively, taking corrective action as needed. 

• Monitor project progress against key performance indicators and report regularly to stakeholders. 

• Ensure efficient resource allocation and utilization. 

• Prepare high-quality deliverables, including reports, presentations, and proposals. 

REQUIREMENTS 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• A Master’s degree in transport, urban planning, public policy, economics or related fields. 

• At least 8-10 years of professional experience related to green growth and sustainable development with a minimum of two (2) years living and working outside of your home country   

• Experience in designing and implementing projects in the Pacific region, in particular Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga, is preferred. In-depth understanding gender and social inclusion aspect in the countries’ context is an asset. 

• Experience in working with the government (national and subnational level) and non-government counterparts on a day-to-day basis in the Pacific region is essential. 

• Fluency in English and excellent report writing skills are essential. Fluency in Korean will be an asset.   

• Willingness to relocate to Suva, Fiji, for the duration of the Project, with occasional travels to Vanuatu and Tonga. 

FUNCTIONAL 

• Experience in engaging with other development partners to explore potential cooperation opportunities and with donors to identify future funding opportunities. 

• Experience in project management, policy and planning, research and analysis and project design. 

• Experience in applying participatory approaches, gender, environmental, and social inclusion safeguards. 

• Team player, creative problem-solver, and innovative thinker. 

• Excellent multi-cultural literacy and interest in being a part of an international team working in an evolving and entrepreneurial environment. 

• Excellent communication (both written and oral) and facilitation skills. 

CORPORATE 

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values. 

• 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 as externally. 

• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily. 

• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity. 

• Excellent English oral and written communication skills; including public speaking. 

• Excellent Korean speaking skills are an asset. 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• The Program Lead is an X9 grade level in GGGI’s International salary scale. For the X9 International salary scale, the annual base salary starts from USD 77,904 to USD 104,193. 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 in Suva, Fiji and will report directly to the Country Representative (also based in Suva).