Senior Finance Officer

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• 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, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

 

The Human Rights and Social Development Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) in the area of human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.

 

In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:

• Objective 1: Pacific institutions are strong, transparent, and responsive for upholding and promoting human rights and implementing inclusive, gender sensitive and culturally respectful development.
• Objective 2: Pacific Civil Society understand and can advocate for their rights and uphold cultural values.
• Objective 3: Pacific culture is protected, preserved, and promoted and culturally relevant and appropriate knowledge and systems are integrated across all work.
• Objective 4: All PSC programs and operations are grounded in people centered approaches and consider the rights and cultural values of diverse groups including women, children, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Objective 5: HRSD Division teams work collectively, coherently, and efficiently and to a high standard to achieve shared success for Pacific societies.

 

As the key implementing partner for the Pacific Women Lead portfolio, SPC leads the Pacific Women Lead (PWL) at SPC programme (PWL at SPC), located within SPC’s HRSD Division. The PWL at SPC receives more than AUD 55 million under the Australian Government’s AUD 170 million PWL portfolio. PWL at SPC has funding for five years from 2021−2026.

 

The role – Senior Finance Officer will be responsible for the effective financial management, including financial risk assessment, monitoring of internal control, and ensuring the adherence to relevant accounting policies and procedures within the Pacific Women Lead (PWL) Programme.

 

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Financial Planning, Monitoring and Reporting

• Support the Finance Team Leader with the development of annual budgets and allocation of available resources through integrated programming, business planning and project management processes.
• Prepare reports on operational performance against annual performance measures and targets.
• Oversee the verification of all payments, postings and financial acquittals and support month end and end of financial year reconciliations.
• Where required, design and implement financial monitoring and reporting tools across all income and expenditure streams to meet with SPC and donor audit requirements.

Divisional, Project and Program Financial Management Administration Support

• Provide high level coordinated support to programme staff on donor requirements in planning, delivery, and financial administration.
• Liaise with team leaders, development partners and donors to maintain reporting schedules, financial acquittals and arrange for timely disbursements in accordance with signed funding agreements.
• Work with the Procurement and central Finance offices to provide support to Project managers in resolving Procurement and Finance and contract management issues.

Compliance, Risk Management and Business Process

• Support the Finance Team Leader in the implementation of appropriate systems and internal controls. This includes collaboration with internal stakeholders where instances of internal control weaknesses are found in order to strengthen these.
• Oversee the maintenance of the accuracy of the programme financial information, within Navision and other systems.
• Contribute to the division’s risk management processes, including in the work-planning process, as it pertains to financial and compliance risk, identifying potential risks, such as, irregular expenditures not approved in work plan.

Procurement, Grants and Administration Services

• Monitor procurement and grant actions undertaken and ensure they are in line with SPC and donor policies and procedures.
• Support the preparation and monitoring of the annual procurement plan and ensure that annual procurement plans are aligned to the annual budget estimates and provide advice to managers should there be large variances.

People Management

• Create a team environment that fosters and develops effective working relationships and high performance.
• Address performance issues including health and safety risks in a timely manner.

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

 

 

Key selection criteria

 

Qualifications

• A degree in accounting, finance or business administration.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of demonstrated professional experience and competence in the same field.
• Experience in financial reporting, compliance, and business processes for projects funded.
• Experience in preparation of budgets for a medium or large organization, financial reporting and monitoring of budget and cash flows.
• Analytical and demonstrated ability to achieve efficiencies with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of financial management information systems (FMIS) and financial monitoring tools.
• Proven track record in designing and running training courses in finance, budget management and financial management systems.
• Strong numeracy skills, advanced excel spreadsheet skills including macros, and effectively used a recognized accounting package for generation of financial reports.
• Demonstrated experience in conference management and event organization.    

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 – Until 30 June 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

 

Remuneration – The Senior Finance Officer is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,672–9,591 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,191–3,989). 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. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

 

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. 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 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: 27 October 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000764

 

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.

 

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

 

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 donor-funded, complex multi-country projects, identify and explain three key financial management lessons learnt that would assist you in this role.
2. In your view, what role do finance, and procurement play in the management of an organisation or division and why is this important to the organisation or division?
3. Based on your experience what steps would you undertake to manage, review and post acquittals of grants (Advances) that are provided to our implementing partner countries. What do you think are important considerations for an organisation such as SPC to manage such country grants (advances)?

Position Description