Principal Climate Change Officer - Climate Finance (Ministry of Environment & Climate Change)

The Principal Climate Change Officer - Climate Finance (PCCO-CF) is responsible for managing existing fiscal climate finance flows and strategizing innovative means to mobilise new and additional climate finance from a broad range of bilateral and multilateral sources.

This includes managing close coordination with policy makers, both within and outside of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (‘Ministry’), to develop innovative climate financing mechanisms such as green bonds, climate taxes, green fiscal concessions and disaster risk insurance products.

Key Responsibilities

1. Ensure that climate finance considerations are fully incorporated into national planning, budgeting and development processes through effective collaboration with Government, non-Government and private sector stakeholders.

2. Develop, direct and manage domestic and international climate finance instruments for the Government of Fiji, including the Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy, Sovereign Green Bond issuances, climate-related fiscal incentives and concessions, and national budget tagging and climate-responsive fiscal policy measures.

3. Develop, implement, manage and monitor national climate risk insurance and disaster risk financing products, and work closely with insurance regulators and industry stakeholders to strengthen climate awareness and resilience within the national insurance sector.

4. Promote the design, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of innovative climate finance initiatives and programmes, ensuring alignment with national priorities and measurable development impact.

5. Provide national coordination, technical guidance and administrative advice for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), consistent with the Ministry’s role as Fiji’s National Designated Authority (NDA), including oversight of national project identification, appraisal and endorsement processes.

6. Strengthen access to international climate finance mechanisms, including the Adaptation Fund, bilateral and multilateral funding sources, and philanthropic organisations, through strategic engagement and project pipeline development.

7. Lead the coordination, updating, tracking and strategic guidance of Fiji’s national positions on global climate finance negotiations and related international instruments, including active participation in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change processes, including the Conference of the Parties and Subsidiary Bodies.

8. Contribute to the Ministry’s corporate and governance requirements, including annual work planning, budgeting, performance reporting, procurement compliance support, and the preparation of Cabinet papers, ministerial briefs and official submissions related to climate finance. 

Knowledge & Experience

1. At least five (5) years of experience working in climate finance or in a related field.
2. Extensive knowledge of climate change-related issues, national priorities and domestic and international climate finance flows.
3. Understanding of the technical aspects of adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, and other related climate thematic areas.
4. Robust understanding of the Government Public Sector Investment Programme.
5. Advance knowledge of Fiji’s financial sector and regulatory framework. Knowledge of the Financial Management Act 2004 and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles will be an advantage.
6. Good knowledge of global, regional and domestic economic and social issues.
7. Good knowledge of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992) and the Paris Agreement (2015).
8. Sound knowledge of Government procedures and procurement regulations and project management and analysis.

Skills & Abilities

1. Ability to analyse complex climate finance systems, link policy objectives with fiscal instruments, and provide strategic advice aligned with national and international commitments
2. Sound understanding of climate finance instruments, public finance systems, risk financing mechanisms and development finance processes, supported by strong economic and accounting skills, including financial tracking, tagging and project evaluation
3. High analytical capability to interpret data, prepare quality analytical briefs, and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy and programme improvement.
4. Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills, with high attention to detail, accuracy and the ability to deliver quality outputs within strict deadlines.
5. Capacity to multitask, work effectively under pressure and respond to requests and queries within short turnaround times
6. Proven ability to manage and monitor large-scale financial portfolios and programme budgets.

Additional Information

PERSONAL CHARACTER AND ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be Fijian citizens, under the age of 60, in sound health and with a clear police record. The successful applicant will be required to provide a medical certificate and police clearance as a condition of employment.

The Ministry is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applications are encouraged from all eligible and qualified applicants. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the required knowledge, experience, skills and abilities, as these criteria will be used to assess relative suitability for the role.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Human Resources at rosy.lata@environment.gov.fj