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 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 Land Resources Division (LRD) provides effective expert scientific advice, capacity building and services on conservation, development and utilization of plant genetic resources, forest and landscape management, resilient agricultural systems, diversification of livelihood strategies and access to markets to maintain ecosystem services and improve land productivity and the food, nutrition security and resilience of Pacific communities. LRD has expertise in genetic resource conservation, resilient agriculture, biosecurity, pest and disease management, agricultural extension, plant pathology, entomology, and animal health. It collaborates with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to pinpoint the needs and priorities of Pacific countries and communities and provide technical expertise to address them. This mission is realized through four main thematic work areas, or pillars, and a progressively integrated approach to programming that works towards achieving SPC’s development goals.
The role – Finance Assistant is responsible for financial support to the Genetic Resources Program assisting with the financial delivery of projects in accordance with SPC and donor requirements. In particular, the position holder will provide the support for financial accounting and reporting, audits of project activities as well as support for procurement activities.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
Implement financial systems to ensure streamlined reporting
- Assist with the management of general accounting and project accounting in accordance with SPC and donor regulations, including ensuring appropriate controls are in place.
- Provide advice to the team on financial policies and procedures.
- Work with senior program staff to design and utilize financial budgeting and reporting templates used within the project and ensure that data input and extraction of data from Navision into templates is streamlined.
Provide financial management and administration support
- Provide monthly reports to the Genetic Resources senior management team on project execution rates.
- Draft financial reports as required by project grant agreements for review by Senior Finance Officer.
- Work with senior management of the program to: oversee overall project budget revisions, relocations, monitoring, and management for project costed workplans; monitor financial performance/progress, including reconciling project payments to cash book and reporting and project bank reconciliations; support external audits, in accordance with SPC and donor requirements; request funding from donors as per funding agreements.
- Assist with arrangements for travel for staff and participants, in particular, in relation to processing per diems and any other travel related expenses and following up on project staff acquittals.
Provide support for financial accounting
- Support senior program staff and collaborating entities to develop budgets for regional activities, and the subsequent financial management of those activities.
- Support project partners with budgeting and monitoring of execution rates, including building capacity to use financial templates and apply SPC policies.
- Monitor the financial delivery as per country planning documents and agreements.
Support the compliance of the program with overall LRD and SPC finance and procurement processes and procedures
- Seek opportunities for collaboration with other LRD administration and financial staff to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the projects, programme and division.
- Participate in training and capacity building provided by SPC.
- Assist with other financial matters for the Division activities where required.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- A degree in business administration, commerce, accounting or similar field with 3 years of experience in project accounting or financial administration in a medium to large organization; or
- A diploma in business administration, commerce, accounting or similar field with 5 years of experience in project accounting or financial administration in a medium to large organization.
Technical expertise
- Understanding of project budgeting, financial reporting, donor reporting, audit requirements, and contracting.
- Excellent skills with a Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS).
- Advanced computer skills in applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Sound coordination, administrative, networking, and collaborative skills.
- Good interpersonal skills with people from all sections of society, and from different cultures, countries and institutions; experience working with national government agencies in project administration and budgeting.
Language skills
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Remuneration – The Finance Assistant is a band 7 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a commencing taxable salary range of FJD 2,287-2,859 per month, plus local staff benefits. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.
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 bilingualism, 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 be given to the Pacific Islander.
Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing Date – 23 June 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: JM000680
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.
Only Fijian citizens are eligible to apply for this role.
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):
- Briefly provide us with 2 challenges you had faced when you had to financially report for a project across multiple currencies. How did you overcome those challenges.
- Please describe your experience with preparing budgets for donor-funded projects?
- Describe three key steps you would take to set up a reporting system for financial project management to ensure that the Project Manager has timely financial information for risk management.