NAB Secretariat Strategic Manager

Terms of Reference

NAB Secretariat Strategic Manager

The recently conducted Risk Governance Assessment of the National Advisory Board on Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction (NAB), suggested the establishment of a NAB Secretariat for strategic whole- of-government leadership, coordination, stakeholder relationships and information management comprised by a core staff that can be supported either by short-term secondments and/or advisory groups. The NAB Secretariat will be positioned within the MCC structure under the office of the Director General and be seen as separate and clearly identifiable entity.

The Strategic Manager of the NAB is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the NAB Secretariat’s operational and administrative functions. Working under the guidance of the National Advisory Board on Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction, co-chaired by the Director Generals of the Ministry of Climate Change and the Prime Minister’s Office, the NAB Strategic Manager defines the institution’s strategic vision, and is accountable for its implementation and the results achieved.

The Strategic Manager maintains strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders that are important collaborators in the NAB’s efforts. The Strategic Manager has the responsibility and accountability to set the tone for the NAB Secretariat’s internal and external interactions by exemplifying values of high ethical standards, integrity, and fairness. She/he must act in the best interests of the NAB in all contexts, and is responsible for ensuring this culture prevails across the organization’s members, employees, technical advisors, and volunteers.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Strategic Manager reports to the DG of the Ministry of Climate Change. Working closely with the NAB Co-Chairs, members and thematic advisory groups, and with the NAB Secretariat, the NAB Project Management Unit, the Corporate Service Unit of the Ministry of Climate Change and the Prime Minister’s Office, the Strategic Manager’s primary responsibilities are as set out below.

Managing Finance, People and Systems

The Strategic Manager will:

Operational management

a. Ensure that the NAB’s organizational structure, operational policies and other business processes are sound and able effectively to deliver on the strategic objectives defined by the NAB;

b. Exercise authority over personnel and human-resource matters and further strengthen performance management by tracking key performance indicators across the organization;

c. Maintain a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating diverse talent;

d. Lead the NAB Secretariat’s staff and thematic advisory groups as the mechanism for ensuring aligned internal leadership and implementation; and

e. Effectively manage operational or financial matters to deliver on the mandate of the NAB, including by seeking additional authorities from the DGs of the Ministry of Climate Change and the Prime Minister’s Office as may be needed to address risks that arise proactively and effectively.

Financial management

f. Present annual financial budgets for NAB approval that link to operational work plans, and more routinely throughout the fiscal year, multi-year resource projections for the transparent management of resources;

g. Work closely with the NAB Project Management Unit and the Corporate Service Unit of the Ministry of Climate Change to ensure the overall transparent and effective financial and administrative functionality of the NAB projects and programs and their assets; and

h. Oversee the management and implementation of all NAB and NAB Secretariat contracts according to corporate procurement systems and practices that deliver value for money and focus on the primary work of the NAB.

Official representation

i. Represent the NAB before any competent authority when delegated by the Co-Chairs of the NAB

Strategic Leadership and Delivery

The Strategic Manager will:

a. Operationalize, lead and monitor the implementation of the NAB’s Strategy and its National Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction Policy, and ensure the effective implementation of new approaches, processes and instruments to deliver on the strategic objectives;

b. Represent the NAB Secretariat at the highest level, ensuring its role within the global climate change and disaster risk reduction architecture is well understood, through direct engagement with policy- makers and the execution of an effective media strategy;

c. In close collaboration with the Office of the Auditor General and the Ministry of Finance, ensure that there are strong fiduciary controls in place to monitor the use of NAB resources;

d. Effectively manage risk in the portfolio and the Secretariat’s operations, including, but not limited to, the development of rigorous management and communications systems to ensure the implementation of and strict adherence to NAB decisions and other NAB policies in a timely manner; and

e. Ensure meaningful monitoring and evaluation of NAB programs and performance and the provision of accurate analysis and routine reporting on the impact and performance of the NAB’s activity portfolio.

Partner engagement, working with the NAB, and mobilizing resources

The Strategic Manager is responsible for building and maintaining effective alliances as part of a coordinated response to climate change and disaster risk at the country and international levels. This includes effective interactions with and responsiveness to the full range of public and private partners that are key stakeholders in building and sustaining appropriate national level actions.

Partner engagement

To safeguard and continually strengthen the effectiveness, reputation, and profile of the NAB, the Strategic Manager will work closely with the NAB co-Chairs, members, thematic workings groups and staff to:

a. Build and maintain effective alliances and operational collaboration with public and private partners, such as governments of countries, United Nations agencies, bilateral donors, non-governmental organizations, the business sector, civil society actors, and communities affected by climate change and disaster risks

b. Represent the NAB and its work with external stakeholders to build effective partnerships with public and private entities to support the work of the NAB

c. Strengthen access by implementing agencies and affected populations to cost-effective, innovative products and services that increase the availability of high quality, sustainable services that are most relevant to the specific climate and disaster contexts of Vanuatu

d. Interact with governments at the highest political level to advocate for an appropriate level of national resources to be directed to at risk populations; and

e. Maintain effective communications with all stakeholders.

Mobilizing and sustaining resources

To support the NAB in its core function of mobilizing public and private sector donors to support the mission of the NAB, the Strategic Manager will:

f. Provide strategic guidance for resource mobilization

g. Oversee and advance the development of new funding streams for the NAB, broadening the donor base and encouraging increased investment in climate change and disaster risk programs from national budgets and international partners;

h. Ensure the highest level of confidence among public and private donors in the NAB operations and impact to support longer term predictable financing being contributed to national climate change and disaster risk programs

i. Engage with other national, regional and international climate change and disaster risk coordination and governance bodies, communicating the NAB’s purpose and aiming to secure their support and cooperation

Working with the NAB

To support the NAB in its strategic mandate, the Strategic Manager will:

j. Report to the NAB on the operational, administrative, and financial aspects of the NAB Secretariat and NAB Project Management Unit at each Board meeting;

k. Ensure that the Board is made aware, in a timely way, of key strategic and other material operational challenges the Secretariat is encountering in the course of its work;

l. Represent the Secretariat at Board Meetings, and ensure effective and timely preparation and distribution of all materials in accordance with Board mandated policies and procedures;

m. Participate (or nominate a delegate to participate) at all non-Strategic sessions of thematic advisory groups meetings, and assist other advisory and technical panels and support structures; and

n. Communicate NAB decisions to the public, Secretariat and PMU staff and other relevant stakeholders.

National Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction Priorities

To support the NAB in its strategic mandate, the Strategic Manager will:
o. Establish national CC and DRR needs and priorities through strategic and gap analyses

p. Meet international CC and DRR obligations while ensuring that Vanuatu negotiates internationally to meet its national priorities

q. Ensure that the NAB Secretariat serves as a CC and DRR governance contact point for government agencies, civil society, donors, development partners, regional and international stakeholders

r. Coordinate and steer the governance arrangements and project managers of major climate change and disaster risk programs and projects implemented by international agencies (e.g. World Bank IRCCNH MDRR and VESD projects)

Selection Criteria

Academic Qualification

At least a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Environmental or Political Science or related field

Experience

• -  Minimum of 10 years experience in public administration, management or similar position; ideally in Vanuatu.

• -  CC/DRR experience at the national, regional and international level preferred

• -  Experience working with the Vanuatu Government highly desirable

• -  Well developed advocacy, communication and networking abilities

• -  Previous experience managing staff preferred

•  

  Application details

  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. The preferred national candidate must submit via email a cover letter and CV including the contact details of two referees to; Connie Sewere csewere@meteo.gov.vu