Finance Officer – Payroll

• Attractive local package
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific 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 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 Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The role – Finance Officer – Payroll will prepare and facilitate payment of salaries and allowances; provide advice to staff and clarify queries on salary related matters; manage all statutory lodgments and payments and assist in systems improvement for payroll.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Payment of SPC salaries and benefits, including statutory payments

• Prepare and post staff salaries/allowances for all Fiji based SPC staff and for other locations where allocated in accordance with payroll process.
• Prepare and maintain payroll records and answer all payroll related queries, including through Noumea payroll support where required.
• Ensure applicable auditing standards are met in relation to all payroll functions, and satisfactory records are kept. Assist in payroll audits.
• Process overseas transfers related to staff salaries.
• Attend to all salary related queries for assigned payroll location.

Reconciliations of payroll related accounts

• Perform reconciliation of all payroll related general ledger accounts, clearing accounts and any Suva specific payroll and staff accounts.

Operations of SPC Provident Fund (PF)

• Assist staff with SPC PF related queries.
• Assessment of PF withdrawal and loan eligibility request from staff within SPC PF rules.
• Ensure that proper document evidence is provided for withdrawal request.
• Ensure that all loans are duly reimbursed.

Other Support

• Proactively assist in the identification of areas within the payroll function that might require system or process changes and streamlining and to work with ICT and HR to ensure payroll changes and solutions are implemented.
• Ensure time sheet charges are posted to various budget codes as and when required.
• Provide advice to programme staff in relation to salary components of budgets.
• Perform tasks relating to payroll in the Finance Helpdesk.
• Any other tasks that may be delegated.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree or diploma in business administration, commerce, accounting or similar field.

Technical expertise

• For degree holders, at least 1-3 years of experience in a finance or accounting role, ideally with a focus on payroll.
• For diploma holders, at least 5 years of experience in a finance or accounting role, ideally with a focus on payroll.
• Excellent time management skills and organisational skills.

Language skills

• Good 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 Officer – Payroll 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.

Application procedure

Closing Date – 14 July 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000695

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):

1. Describe your experience in payroll processing using any payroll software and computerized accounting system.
2. Describe your experience in handling payroll function in organisation, doing payroll in multi-currency and multi-region.
3. Describe your experience in working with and managing different legislations and statutory requirements in payroll.

Position Description