Project Manager Pacific ClimateSmart School Buildings

BACKGROUND

The Global Buildings Performance Network is a rapidly growing international not-for-profit organisation with a mission to reduce the impacts of climate change through policy reform in the buildings sector. GBPN works to drive measurable emissions reductions, increased health and employment in a sustainable buildings sector.

GBPN is seeking a Project Manager to lead the adoption of good practices in climate-resilient school infrastructure, ensuring that educational facilities across the Pacific are providing solutions to, and are prepared to withstand future climate challenges and provide safe, sustainable learning environments. The role is central to the Pacific ClimateSmart School Buildings Hub project, a key component of the Climate Smart Education Systems Initiative (CSESI) for the Pacific. In 2023, based on significant demand from partner countries, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) launched CSESI, through collaboration with Save the Children and UNESCO.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Project Manager will collaborate closely with the Head of Programs and Save the Children and engage stakeholders across the Pacific to establish a regional support hub (the Help Desk). This hub will serve as a central point of contact for Ministries of Education, facilitating access to GBPN experts and supporting the review and enhancement of existing infrastructure policies, guidelines, and tools. In addition, the hub will foster a peer learning network and actively disseminate knowledge on best practices and innovative approaches for integrating climate resilience into the design, construction, and management of school infrastructure.

The Project Manager will oversee all aspects of project delivery, including stakeholder engagement, budget planning and monitoring, and the development of high-quality project documentation. This includes Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) frameworks, progress reports, and quality assurance mechanisms. The position is remote, with required availability across Pacific time zones to ensure effective collaboration.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to climate resilience and educational equity in the Pacific region, while shaping the future of sustainable building policy globally.

Target Regions:                         Pacific

Place of work:                            Remote (time zone suitable to work with the Pacific stakeholders)

Anticipated start of work:    8 August 2025

Duration:                                    120 days from 14 months until 8 October 2026

Communication with GBPN team members around the world is largely online, and may require working outside normal working hours.

SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience leading and managing teams in internationally funded climate mitigation, adaptation, or related development projects.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives involving research partners, consultants, project teams, and government or network partners.
• Proven experience in project planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
• Strong familiarity with the Pacific region and experience working with stakeholders across Pacific Island countries.
• Proficiency in digital tools including databases, spreadsheets, project management platforms, and collaboration software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of representing organisations to partners, government agencies, and donors.
• Highly organised, adaptable, and committed to delivering results efficiently.

Preferred

• Experience in the built environment or education sector.
• Demonstrated integrity and ability to build trust within teams and among external stakeholders.
• Strong emotional intelligence, with the ability to manage conflict and lead under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities effectively.
• High level of cross-cultural awareness and empathy.
• Familiarity with the Comprehensive School Safety Framework and the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector.
• Experience with project management and reporting requirements of the Global Partnership for Education or similar multi-stakeholder funding mechanisms.

SCOPE OF WORK AND REPORTING

Scope of work

Project Leadership and Coordination

• Develop and track the workplan on ClickUp and follow GBPNs closeout checklist.
• Lead the implementation of project activities in accordance with approved plans, budgets, and timelines.
• Coordinate regularly with Save the Children, the help desk host organisation, and other CSESI partners.
• Manage internal and external consultants, including subcontracted partners, to ensure efficient and high-quality delivery.
• Ensure project deliverables meet GBPN’s program standards and stakeholder expectations.
• Facilitate alignment and knowledge exchange with the Caribbean Climate-Smart School Buildings project and broader CSESI initiatives.
• Conduct stakeholder, partner, and donor mapping to support strategic engagement.
• Co-design and oversee the implementation of the hub partnership agreement.
• Integrate risk management and contingency planning throughout the project lifecycle.

Technical Oversight

• Collaborate with the Network Manager to identify and engage technical experts.
• Oversee contracting and coordination of expert contributions.
• Manage the quality assurance process for technical advice and outputs.
• Compile and anonymise technical advice for documentation and learning purposes..

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Develop and implement detailed project documentation, including implementation plans, budgets, and MEAL frameworks.
• Track and report on project progress, identifying challenges and proposing solutions.
• Measure project performance and impact.
• Prepare monthly updates via ClickUp and ensure timely, accurate reporting from project staff.
• Develop high-quality progress reports for Save the Children and donors, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
• Coordinate and deliver final project reporting, including comprehensive evaluation of outcomes, impact, and lessons learned.

Representation and Communication

• Represent GBPN in coordination meetings and external engagements.
• Promote internal and external learning through effective communication of project outcomes and innovations.
• Work with the Head of Knowledge and Technical Excellence to document, capture and share learnings.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to GBPN policies and procedures, including sound management practices.
• Uphold GBPN’s values and commitment to equity, diversity, gender inclusion, child safety, and staff wellbeing.

Tasks, Deliverables and schedule

The consultant will report directly to the Head of Programs for this project. All final outputs will be subject to internal GBPN review procedures, and will need to be cleared by the Head of Programs. The consultant should be available for regular (monthly) meetings to discuss progress for which updates should be prepared in advance. These meetings can take place via teleconference as required.

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide an application/proposal including (indicate your availability over the period):

• Consultant – Name, Details and experience
• A Technical proposal detailing your approach for the services and work described.
• A financial proposal

Applications: should be sent to procurement@gbpn.org
Deadline: 01/08/2025

CONTENT OF YOUR APPLICATION AND PROPOSAL

Consultant – Name, Details and Experience

• If applicable, briefly describe the background and organization of your consulting firm/organization and provide a short bio for the consultant/s that your organization proposes to engage for this assignment.
• Experience: Using the proposed form, provide information on at least 3 previous consulting assignments similar to the proposed assignment

Comments and/or Suggestions on the Terms of Reference

Present and justify here any modifications to the Terms of Reference you or your organization would like to propose, if there are any, to perform the assignment better and more effectively.

Such suggestions should be concise and incorporated in your Proposal.

Technical Proposal : Description of Technical Approach, Methodology and Work Plan, and Team

• Technical approach, methodology and work plan are key components of your Proposal. You should explain your understanding of the objectives of the assignment, your approach to the services and how you’ll address the problem, your methodology for carrying out the activities and obtaining the expected output. The workplan will propose the main activities of the assignment, their content and duration, phasing and interrelations, milestones and delivery dates of the reports as well as include all outputs.
• Team: As deemed appropriate you should propose the structure and composition of your team, including roles in the assignment and responsibilities, as well as level of efforts (FTE days). A CV of the proposed key personnel/team members should be included.

Financial Proposal :

Provide a financial proposal per the following format:

CONTRACT TYPE AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

For Individual Consultants and organizations

• Assignment through a (consulting) contract over a period of 14 months – with possibility for extension based on performance;
• The consultant will work from their normal place of work – focusing on the relevant region to cover.

Schedule of Payment:

The consultant will be remunerated according to a schedule of payment agreed upon signing the contractual agreement. Invoices are processed upon submission of outputs and upon approval of the final report/contract output. The consultant may propose a payment schedule as part of the financial proposal.