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2 SOLKAS Ward Officers for Central Islands Province.

Solomon Islands Knowledge-Action-Sustainability for Resilient Villages project (SOLKAS) has opportunities based in the provinces for interested and qualified applicants on this locally led climate adaptation project.

Positions will be based within the wards and work very closely with PMU, MPGIS and Ministry staff at ward and provincial levels to implement project activities. The SOLKAS Ward Officer will report directly to the SOLKAS Provincial Coordinator in the province with matrix reporting to Provincial Government representative. SOLKAS Ward Officers will be responsible for working closely with the WDC especially the Chairman and the Project Officer to implement agreed SOLKAS activities as planned with Provincial Coordinator, SOLKAS PMU and Ministry teams. SOLKAS Ward Officers will facilitate linkages between the ward, the provincial government, NGOs, and other key players within the ward for comprehensive and integrated community planning and high-quality implementation of the SOLKAS project activities with communities, schools, PMU and the MECDM and other national and provincial governments.

The SOLKAS Project is one of the largest locally led adaptation projects globally, and one of the first with a strong focus on the education sector. Largely funded under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with co-finance from the governments of Australia, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands, the project will reduce children, youth and communities’ exposure to climate hazards and help build sustainable, resilient communities and livelihoods in the context of climate change. SOLKAS is a partnership with the Government of the Solomon Islands, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM), and Save the Children Solomon Islands (SCSI). The Accredited Entity (AE) with overall accountability for the project to the GCF is Save the Children Australia (SCA).

Working with communities across six provinces, the project will strengthen resilience to climate change impacts by strengthening the capacities of national, subnational, and local governments, communities, and schools to understand, plan for and implement responses tothe climate crisis. The project will achieve this through:

1. Community-led development of adaptation plans, building climate change knowledge and skills, and access to climate change information.
2. Resilient livelihoods, food and nutrition security, and school-level building retrofits; and
3. Institutional strengthening.

We are looking for suitably qualified and experienced applicants to fill the roles of Ward Officers in SOLKAS target wards Central Island Provinces. A full list of wards is available in the JD.

Key Areas of Accountability
The core role of the SOLKAS Ward Officers is to implement approved SOLKAS activities, in close coordination with community representatives, community members, PG officials, PMU staff and technical advisers and other implementing Ministries’ staff on SOLKAS activities. The specific responsibilities in relation to SOLKAS are:

• Facilitate approved SOLKAS activities increasing climate and disaster resilience in the Ward.
• Facilitate the work of implementing ministries, the PG and WDC in building awareness of climate change and disaster risks, climate change and disaster risk-related policies, laws, and ordinances within the Ward.
• Facilitate and support training of WDC and others in climate risk assessment and participatory planning processes and actions.
• Facilitate the provision of information from the WDC to MECDM and the PG on climate change and disaster risks in the Ward relevant to SOLKAS project activities.
• Support the WDC Executive to liaise with MECDM and the PG to enable them to carry out their responsibilities for climate risk assessment and planning processes in the Ward.
• Support sensitization of communities on environmental issues, inclusion and diversity including youth.
• Facilitate training and awareness raising activities by SOLKAS implementing Ministries, PG officials and Community representatives.
• Facilitate accountability for SOLKAS project funds in the Ward for use in approved activities in accordance with agreed procurement, activities, timelines and reporting requirements.
• Provide capacity building support to women, youth, and other disadvantaged people to participate in SOLKAS project climate change assessment and planning activities.
• Facilitate engagement between communities in the Ward, the WDC, PG and implementing ministries.
• Support the WDC to arrange community meetings, gather information regarding the Ward and provide it to the PG or national line ministries in response to requests.
• Support to SOLKAS implementing ministries / project staff / WDC to update ward profiles that identify economic and social infrastructure and other development needs of the communities.
• Conduct awareness with community leaders on SOLKAS planning processes and activity implementation including funded procurements and actions as per agreed community climate adaptation planning actions.
• Ensure transparency and accountability of any SOLKAS financial resources to support implementation in alignment with defined scope. This includes reporting on expenditure of funds issued, and meeting expenditure reporting requirements on monthly expenditure and results.
• Raise any risks and issues with PMU and follow up on agreed actions.
• Ensure that reports and documents meet quality requirements and are submitted onetime.

Essential knowledge or experience

• Possess a diploma or certificate from a recognized institution in community and rural development, social sciences, environmental sciences, conflict resolution, economics, finance, law, climate change, disaster management etc.
• Demonstrated at least two years prior experience in public sector service delivery.
• Willingness to live and work in remote communities is a key requirement for this post as the officer would be stationed in remote communities to facilitate his or her work.
• Ability to use modern electronic equipment especially computers and smart phones is a mandatory requirement for this position.
• Experience with financial management in overseeing project activities
• Demonstrated strong time management, administrative and organisational skills.
• Highly developed communication skills, written and verbal, including highly developed report writing skills.
• Experience working with a range of teams and stakeholders including government, nongovernment.

Desirable knowledge or experience

• Experience in environmental or climate-related projects in the Solomon Islands

Application Requirements:
Interested candidates should provide the following documents below.

• Cover letter responding to the job criteria in the Job description
• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Certificates and academic achievements.

Applicants can contact Save the Children Human Resources Department to request for the job descriptions, by sending an email to solkas.hr@savethechildren.org.au

Application closes on 09th May 2025
All applications should be addressed to:

SOLKAS HR and Office Manager
SOLKAS PMU
Save the Children – Solomon Islands Office
Honiara, Solomon Islands

All Applications must be emailed to solkas.hr@savethechildren.org.au Emailed applications are preferred but if not possible, applications may be delivered to Save the Children offices in province or Honiara.

Save the Children is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check where necessary, and sign our Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct.

NOTE: ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED