The UNDP Solomon Islands sub-office is seeking a qualified candidate to assume the role of Portfolio Manager for programme and project implementation under the national meteorological services. This role offers the opportunity to lead and shape future initiatives, contributing to the strengthening of national capacity in meteorological and climate-related services. The Portfolio Manager will hold a critical role that will work closely with the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) to coordinate the implementation and resource mobilization of UNDP and other organizations with regards to meteorological services. The current portfolio of implementation is captured under the Advancing Meteorological Observations System for Resilient Development (AMOS- RD) flagship project, funded by the Systematic Observation Financing Facility (SOFF). The initiative aims to support and strengthen Solomon Islands’ capacities to provide reliable and effective meteorological observation services. The Portfolio Manager will be expected to provide project management support, technical oversight, and quality assurance to the AMOS-RD project management unit, while also ensuring that future initiatives and projects will align with the meteorological services implementation arrangement between UNDP and SIMS. This position will report directly to the Deputy Resident Representative of the sub-office with matrix reporting to the Resilience and Climate Change Team Leader and close coordination with the AMOS-RD project management unit.

The AMOS-RD project is being implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) over a five-year period between August 2024 to July 2029. The project aligns with, and contributes to, the overall objective of supporting the mandate of the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) as the lead government entity for the administration of the meteorological information and services in the country. The objective of the project is to improve weather and climate prediction products by localizing and implementing the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) in the country. GBON, an initiative under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), aims to strengthen and standardize the global collection of essential weather and climate data. The primary objective of GBON is to ensure all countries, especially those with limited resources, contribute consistent, high-quality observational data that can be used for accurate weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and early warning systems.

GBON sets specific requirements for the minimum density and frequency of surface and upper-air observations, ensuring that critical data, such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure, are standardized and regularly reported. This network is vital for improving global data exchange and supporting more reliable, timely weather predictions, which are essential for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. Within this framework, the AMOS-RD Project will enhance local observation systems by providing, installing, and maintaining the necessary infrastructure with direct technical support from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology as a “peer advisor”. Additionally, the project will foster an enabling environment for data collection, monitoring, and exchange by promoting the development of essential human and institutional capacities. It will also offer the necessary coordination and expertise to complement existing in-country capacities and systems.

The Portfolio Manager will be based in the UNDP sub-office in Solomon Islands. He/She will be working under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, matrixed to the RCC Team Leader Solomon Islands and in close coordination we with the Project Manager for AMOS-RD and the rest of the PMU.
In coordination with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and SIMS teams and the PMU, the Portfolio Manager will be responsible for the following roles and responsibilities:

Strengthening institutional capacity and arrangements for provision of effective meteorological services

• Provide recommendations to strengthen administration processes within SIMS, inter-governmental mechanisms, policy and legislative amendments
• Assist SIMS to undertake a review of the relevant Acts and relevant regulations and provide recommendations for amendments
• Develop a training plan for SIMS Staff, in consultation with the AMOS-RD Peer Advisor and based on recommended training by the World Meteorological Organization
• Identify gaps and support capacity development of senior management
• Lead the review of the current meteorological services’ institutional arrangements at the national and provincial levels for sustainability of GBON
• Identifying challenges and provide recommendations to strengthen the meteorological institutional arrangement to support GBON, including skills, procedures, technology, and budget needs, among others.
• Engage with financial entities and government partners to develop plans for cost recovery, in coordination with relevant department and technical experts
• Provide technical guidance on development of a stakeholder engagement plan to successfully deliver AMOS- RD project and ensure local acceptability, ownership and detection of possible grievances at the starting and throughout the project implementation
• In coordination with AMOS-RD PMU and relevant stakeholders, support the SIMS with the development of an action plan for gender, disability and social inclusion
• Assist SIMS in relevant human resources support needed in line with provisions of the AMOS-RD project.

Project management advice, partnerships and stakeholder engagement

• Provide hands-on support to Project Managers in planning, implementation, and monitoring, including risk management and evaluation processes, as needed ensuring technical consistency with expected outputs and international standards
• Provide technical overseeing and assist with work plan development, budgeting, and resource planning
• Participate in relevant meetings, provide strategic advice, and document lessons learned for improved project coordination and implementation, including suggesting necessary project activities re-adjustments
• Develop and/ or strengthen partnerships with local, regional and international organizations to support the implementation of AMOS-RD and other projects
• Develop and/or strengthen partnerships with local and national government, academia, professional and peer networks to for training of SIMS staff and exchange programs.
• Develop and/or strengthen partnerships with the private sector for the extension of weather observations and to ensure sustainability of project activities
• In coordination with the AMOS-RD PMU, support the reporting requirements of the project as per the project document
• Support identification of potential partners as well as support the development of technical inputs, including through concept notes formulation, to ensure sustainability, partnerships and resource mobilization.

Ensure technical overseeing, quality assurance and coordination in delivering project activities

• Support the development of technical documents to engage specialized services to deliver the GBON infrastructure and equipment
• Work with the Civil Engineering Specialist in developing cost and price analyses of the meteorological infrastructure, equipment, and consumables to inform procurement planning.
• Support the Civil Engineering Specialist and SIMS to develop the total cost of operation for AWS and upper stations to inform cost recovery options and resource mobilization plans for sustainability.
• Provide hands-on support on the development of technical documents for the assessment of the meteorological and climate data management systems
• Lead the Socio-economic benefits assessment of meteorological services and information to support the return on investment toward the infrastructure and to demonstrate the value of SIMS
• Provide support to development and technical quality assurance to technical guidelines, SOPs, manuals and training materials developed under the project
• Develop and support dissemination/trainings of operations and maintenance plan/manual design, implementation
• Assess, monitor and manage social and environmental safeguards at the starting and throughout project implementation, in adherence with UNDP standards

Knowledge Management and Communication

• Document best practices, challenges and lessons learned to inform planning and course corrections of the project activities
• Support the development of knowledge and communication products
• Foster collaborations with government, academia, peer networks, and the private sector to enhance and maximize knowledge generated under the project
• Make sure gender, inclusiveness and conflict sensitive considerations are thoroughly incorporated throughout the design and implementation of project, including in the development of knowledge materials
• Identify gaps and opportunities as well as synergies between the project and ongoing interventions from UNDP and from other partner agencies and entities.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements