National Designated Authority (NDA) Strengthening and Country Programming (Phase 3)

 

GOVERNMENT OF TONGA

MINISTRY OF METEOROLOGY, ENERGY, INFORMATION, DISASTER MANAGEMENT, ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COMMUNICATIONS

Project Management Unit (PMU) Recruitment for the Green Climate Fund – Tonga Readiness Programme: “National Designated Authority (NDA) Strengthening and Country Programming (Phase 3)”

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Applications are hereby invited to apply for the posts of Climate Change Policy Analyst, Senior Climate Change Project Development Officer, at the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, (MEIDECC).

For government employees, endorsement of respective Head of Departments is required. All applications must be addressed to the CEO of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, P.O. Box 1380, Taufa’ahau Road, Nukualofa, Tonga and labeled “National Designated Authority (NDA) Strengthening and Country Programming (Phase 3) – GCF Multi Year Readiness Project, Department of Climate Change” and to reach his office no later than 4.30pm, Friday, 20 February, 2026.

Applicants are required to forward their applications with their “Curriculum Vitae” together with relevant documents (certified) such as certificates, transcripts, copy of latest salary slip and testimonials.

For queries, please contact:  Ms Susiana Kanongata’a Talatala on telephone: 20-110 or e-mail: skanongataa@mic.gov.to / susianakanongataa@gmail.com

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness and Preparatory Support has provided funding to the Government of Tonga to implement the– “National Designated Authority (NDA) Strengthening and Country Programming (Phase 3) Project”. This Fund was established as a financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to support climate actions in developing countries such as Tonga that are extremely vulnerable due to geographic location and socio-economic status. Thus, these countries need considerable financing resources to facilitate mitigation solutions and adequate adaptation strategies to climate change and its adverse impacts.

This Readiness Project seeks to continue the momentum of Tonga’s NDA Strengthening & Country Programming process. The multi-year approach is necessary for providing continued awareness raising, mobilizing, and informing stakeholders about climate change issues as well as pushing forward prioritized pipeline of projects – which are aligned with achievement of Tonga’s resilient targets – via the following expected outputs:

  1. Increased technical capacity of the NDA office and key stakeholders to assess potential project concepts and/or proposals seeking climate financing support from GCF and others.
  2. Improved data collection, data management, reporting and verification
  3. Enhanced understanding for accessing climate finance amongst key stakeholders
  4. Accreditation of Ministry of Finance as Direct Accreditation Entity 
  5. Increased knowledge and understanding of climate change impacts and solutions amongst key stakeholders
  6. Update Tonga’s Country Programme to guide GCF investment and readiness support resources
  7. Increase number of quality project concept notes developed and submitted
  8. Knowledge and information sharing of best practices with respect to Tonga’s Joint National Action Plan 2 (JNAP2) framework, Tonga’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution (SNDC), Tonga Climate Change Fund (TCCF) and those imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic and unforeseen natural disasters such as the recent tsunamic devastation, and pipeline development.

Vacant Positions:

POST #1: SENIOR CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY ANALYST (SCCPA)

I. Scope of Work

The Senior Climate Change Policy Analyst will be responsible for providing specific legal or policy and advisory support to the NPC to ensure effective implementation of the Readiness Programme. The Officer will also ensure alignment of all climate change-related priorities to the JNAP2, National Climate Change Policy, Tonga NDCs and GCF Tonga Country Programme including the NDA’s established No Objection Procedure.

The Officer will report directly to the Project Coordinator and Director for Climate Change.

II. Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy Analyst will carry out the following duties: 

  • Prepare individual annual work plan based on the Terms of Reference annexed to the Contractual Agreement of the officer;
  • Prepare fortnightly reports and submit to Director of Climate Change and Head of the Policy & Planning Division at Department of Climate Change;
  • Support the National Project Coordinator with preparing a detailed annual work plan for the project/activity;
  • Develop No Objection Procedure guidance document with revised forms including a mapping template for the evaluation and screening of project ideas by JNAP Taskforce for NDA approval
  • Lead trainings on the NObP and assist JNAP Secretariat in facilitating meetings with sector focal points
  • Coordinate bi-monthly JNAP meetings and take meeting minutes.
  • Assist in prescreening of project concept notes and prepare pre & post evaluation screening reports.
  • Conduct quarterly meetings with sector focal points
  • Develop quarterly assessment reports on sector lead actions towards JNAP 2 targets.
  • Draft screening and assessment reports for the JNAP Technical Team and submit to Director of Climate Change through the Head of Policy & Planning Division at Department of Climate Change.
  • Assist the Head of Policy & Planning Division in reviewing of the Tonga Climate Change Policy and Mid-Term review of JNAP 2.
  • Assume any other duties as determined by the Director of Climate Change & Head of Policy and Planning Division at Department of Climate Change.

III. Qualifications and Skills

  • Must have a degree from a recognized tertiary institute – Master degree or Bachelor degree in Law, Environmental Management or Climate Change Policy with minimum of 1 year working experience (Master Degree) or 3 years (Bachelor Degree) working experience at senior level and particularly in fields of law, climate change policy, environmental management or related fields.
  • Work Experience in a similar role would be an advantage.
  • Good knowledge of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, the Tonga Joint National Action Plan 2 (JNAP 2) on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change Policy, the Tonga Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and GCF Country Programme 
  • Demonstrated ability to provide accurate legal/policy and advisory support
  • Good experience with developing project applications and proposals.
  • Familiarity with government organizations operations and structure.
  • Experience in Government and/or in interdepartmental processes and procedures.
  • Fluent written and oral communication in Tongan and English.
  • Strong communications and interpersonal skills.
  • Self-motivated, conflict resolution.
  • Excellent computer knowledge (MS Office, Internet).
  • Must be of Tonga citizenship.

Salary: Salary Range is, TOP $26,710 – $40,064, in accordance with Tonga Government Civil Service Salary scale/Band K

Duration: 36 months

POST # 2 :  SENIOR CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (SCCPDO)

I. Scope of Work

The Senior Climate Change Project Development Officer will be required to assist the PMU and the Department of Climate Change in developing quality project concept notes and proposals to be submitted to GCF and other climate finance windows.

The officer will report directly to the National Project Coordinator and the Director for Climate Change.

II. Roles and Responsibilities

  • Prepare individual annual work plan based on the Terms of Reference annexed to the Contractual Agreement of the officer;
  • Prepare fortnightly reports and submit to Director of Climate Change and Head of the Climate Finance Division at Department of Climate Change;
  • Assist NDA staff and stakeholders and AEs in strengthening Project Concept Notes/Funding Proposals including requests for PPF support against GCF review
  • Documentation of key responses including mapping of past, existing and future activities
  • Work closely with the Climate Finance Advisors at the Department of Climate Change to strengthen project concept notes and proposals
  • Present revised CNs/FPs including PPF requests to the DCC and JNAP taskforce for internal review before submitting to the NDA for feedback.
  • Ensure the implementation of activity 4.3.1(a) – 4.3.1(c)
  • Assume any other duties as determined by the Director of Climate Change & Head of Divisions at Department of Climate Change.

III. Qualifications and Skills

  • Must have a degree from a recognized tertiary institute – Master degree or Bachelor degree in Climate Change or Environmental Management, Project Development with minimum of 1 year (Master Degree) or 3 years (Bachelor Degree) working experience at senior level and particularly in fields of Climate Change, Environmental management, project development or related fields.
  • Good knowledge and work experience in a similar role would be an advantage.
  • Good knowledge of the Tonga Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management (JNAP2) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, Tonga National Communications, Tonga-Nationally Determined Contributions, Greenhouse Gas inventory, vulnerability and adaptation as well as mitigation issues; 
  • Good knowledge and UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement and the Green Climate Fund;
  • Experience in Government and in interdepartmental processes and procedures;
  • Fluency in both English and Tonga and proficiency in written and oral communication;
  • Computer literate;
  • Team work, strong time-management, organizational and inter-personal skills;
  • Excellent skills for presenting technical and scientific reports in meetings, trainings and workshops;
  • Must be Tonga citizenship.

Salary: Salary Range is, TOP $26,710 – $40,064, in accordance with Tonga Government Civil Service Salary scale/Band K

Duration: 36 months