Finance and Implementation Officer

• Noumea-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme (CCES) was established to enable SPC to strengthen and streamline its actions on climate change by bringing together work already undertaken by the organisation under a coherent strategic and technical leadership. In addition, it leads the actions of SPC on climate change and environmental sustainability, works with the Organisation’s regional and international partners and promotes the integration of these issues into all development activities conducted by the Organisation’s divisions.

The role – the Finance and Implementation Officer will provide effective technical & financial services and advice to the NDC hub activities and Project Management Unit. This includes oversight of sound financial management of such projects as well as providing specialist advice on financial management and ensuring compliance with SPC policies and development partner requirements, monitoring of projects implemented by SPC divisions and liaison with implementing and financial partners for the NDC hub.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Financial planning, monitoring, and reporting

• Under the guidance of the CCES team leader, support the NDC Hub Manager in monitoring and reporting on the NDC Hub portfolio.
• Maintain integrity and accuracy of financial data in the financial system within Navision and other systems.
• Support all aspects of financial management of the NDC Hub portfolio through integrated programming, business planning and project management processes.
• Work with the NDC Hub Manager to ensure that costing strategies across the NDC Hub portfolio are updated and accurate.

Compliance, Risk Management, Business Processes, Financial Management

• Support the implementation of appropriate systems and internal controls across the NDC Hub portfolio.
• Provide support for the review and implementation of SPC policies as required, including ensuring compliance of the requirements of NDC Hub donors and taking remedial actions where needed.
• Provide appropriate coordinated support to NDC Hub staff and implementing partners, working across SPC’s NDC Hub portfolio on donor requirements in programme planning, delivery and financial administration of NDC Hub projects.
• Support internal and external audit exercises and ensure maximum level of compliance.
• Maintain an efficient information and records management system for the NDC Hub portfolio in collaboration with NDC Hub Manager and implementing partners.

SPC Project activity implementation

• Manage procurement activities related to SPC’s NDC hub projects.
• Contribute its expertise to SPC’s NDC Hub activities.
• Monitor project executions from both operational and financial perspective, including making recommendations for the adjustment of project activities to ensure the execution rate matches the progress of time.

Coordination, Partnerships and Capacity building

• Lead coordination and communication with various stakeholders and agencies.
• Participate in different committees of any regional coordination mechanism, as may be requested (and more specifically Pacific regional NDC hub).
• Support the finance shared services agenda.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree in business studies or business administration or management.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of experience in a similar role.
• Project financial management experience, including budgeting, reporting, and working with donors.
• Good working knowledge of project accounting and related reporting requirements.
• Experience in project implementation, including project management, writing technical reports and proposals.
• Experience in the use of financial management information systems.
• Good command of the Microsoft IT environment.
• Sound understanding of Pacific cultural and formal protocols.
• Experience interacting with high-level stakeholders (senior officials, etc.).

Language skills

• Excellent level of English and French, both written and oral.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work independently in a multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years.

Remuneration – the Finance and Implementation Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,912–3,544 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 430,728–524,172 (USD 3,873–4,713; EUR 3,609–4,393). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals.  If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 28 July 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000244

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference.  Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. Based on your experience with multi-donor-funded, complex multi-country projects, identify and explain three key financial management lessons learnt that would assist you in this role
2. Based on your experience what steps would you undertake to manage, review and post acquittals of grants that are provided to implementing partners in multi-partner projects? What do you think are important considerations for an organisation such as SPC to manage such multi-partner grants?
3. Accurate financial data is important for reporting purposes. Can you explain one method you have used that has effectively ensured the correctness of data for reporting purposes?

Position Description