- Full-time | 21 month contract

• Based at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Honiara, Solomon Islands, with travel to Temotu and Makira Provinces.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), in conjunction with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) and the Ministry for Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management (MECDM), is seeking a Honiara-based project manager for a Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) project in the Solomon Islands. This role will be critical in the delivery of climate and biodiversity-smart marine spatial planning initiatives, aimed at increasing the resilience of Solomon Islands' coastal communities.

The Key Functions for the Project Manager - Marine Spatial Planning, Solomon Islands are to:

• Oversee the development of community-level marine spatial plans for the Temotu and Makira Provinces, and related Solomon Islands Integrated Vulnerability Assessments (SIIVA).
• Lead the design and implementation of research and policy toolkits, focusing on improving Managed Marine Areas (MMA) regulation and compliance.
• Manage the project budget, financial reporting, and procurement processes, in collaboration with the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), particularly MFMR and MECDM.
• Coordinate multi-stakeholder engagement, including SIG agencies, NGOs, regional partners, and the local communities.
• Ensure gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches are embedded in all aspects of the project, fostering participation from diverse groups.
• Provide regular progress updates to MFMR, MECDM and MFAT, including quarterly and six-monthly written reports.

The qualifications and expertise required to be successful in this role will include (among other things):

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in managing development projects, particularly in the Pacific region.
• Experience working with or within the Solomon Islands Government (SIG).
• Strong understanding of environmental or fisheries sectors, ideally with prior experience in marine spatial planning and integrated vulnerability assessments.
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field (e.g., fisheries, environment, development), with project management qualifications being a plus.
• Proven financial management skills, including budget oversight, forecasting, and reporting.
• Ability to manage complex logistics and deliver to tight timeframes.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken), with knowledge of Pijin being an advantage.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship management skills.

As Project Manager, you will be required to build positive and productive relationships with senior SIG officials and key stakeholders. You will have the ability to recognise the importance of stakeholder engagement, quickly grasp and understand technical issues, be highly organised and self motivated and understand and respect the culture and diversity of the environment. You will be proactive, politically astute and contribute actively to New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation programme.

The appointee will be expected to adhere to the professional standards of a senior technical advisor and maintain integrity, objectivity and political neutrality during the assignment.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to climate resilience efforts in the Solomon Islands and to play a key role in the region's sustainable marine governance. The role will be based full-time in Honiara, with occasional travel to remote provinces.

MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. You can find out more about our staff networks and our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy HERE: https://vacancies.mfat.govt.nz/content/Diversity-and-Inclusion-NZMFAT/?locale=en_GB.

Closing date for applications: 5:00pm (NZ Time) on Monday 10th March.

You can also view the role on Seek via this link: https://tinyurl.com/4x9jbmr7

Hudson Global Resources has been engaged to manage this procurement process. If you would like to discuss the contract terms or have any queries about the package details, please reach out for more information. For all correspondence, requests, or to obtain a copy of the full Role Description, please contact:

Jessica McKinnon
Account Manager
Phone: +64 27 277 4865
Email: jessica.mckinnon@hudson.com