Project Assistant, Strengthening Water and Sanitation Governance in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM WASH)

• Pohnpei-based position
• 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management, and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The role – the Project Assistant, Strengthening Water and Sanitation Governance in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM WASH) will be responsible for supporting the administrative and financial delivery of the Strengthening Water and Sanitation Governance in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM WASH) project in accordance with SPC, Government and donor requirements. Responsibilities include management of project accounting, audit, and budgetary controls, monitoring of project sub contractual requirements, support for procurement of services contracts and administrative/logistical support to meetings and travel.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Financial and procurement support services

• Supporting the delivery of financial and procurement reports using SPC financial systems
• Monitoring project expenditure against approved budget on a monthly basis
• Supporting financial analysis of project delivery for decision-making
• Ensuring financial transactions and project procurements comply with SPC’s Financial and Procurement guidelines
• Facilitating all project cash advances where required and follow up on related acquittals
• Facilitating project payments
• Working closely with GEM finance team on project related matters for corporate audits
• Working closely with the GEM finance team to assist in project audits and provide support with the retrieval of documents required for project audits
• Verifying requests for purchase orders, supporting documents and account codes for validity, accuracy and completeness and preparing timely and accurate purchase orders and ensure commitment lists remain accurate
• Ensuring commitment lists are run regularly and all Purchase Orders are cleared in a timely manner
• Sourcing valid quotations from reliable service providers
• Supporting and building capacity with country counterparts to deliver on SPC procurement and financial requirements
• Providing backstopping support to other project teams within GEM and SPC on occasion when required
• Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

Travel and Logistics Management

• Managing travel requirements for project staff, contracted resources and country participants, including liaising with travel agents on itinerary and tickets
• Ensuring travel is budgeted for and in line with work plan
• Supporting the development of budgets for National and State-level workshops and field travel needs
• Providing facilitation and logistical support to National and State level workshops, including securing workshop venues, accommodation and other services
• Preparing correspondence to advise on workshops and events
• Managing administrative functions relating to workshops and meetings
• Working closely with SPC’s Travel team on all requests

Administration and Operations Support

• Managing day-to-day administration and operations work
• Managing and monitoring project filing systems, including the archiving and backup of project documents, information and data in a format suitable for supporting mid-term and terminal evaluations
• Effectively managing project assets records
• Providing support on programme related matters as and when required

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A diploma in a relevant field such as accounting, financial management or business administration or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 3 years of experience in project finance and administration
• Demonstrated experience in donor project finance and administration
• Demonstrated experience in financial audit administration
• Sound experience in logistics management inclusive of travel for workshops and training programs

Language skills

• Fluency in English (written and verbal)

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This position is budgeted until 31 December 2028, subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Project Assistant, Strengthening Water and Sanitation Governance in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM WASH) is a Band 6 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting taxable salary range of USD 28,047–35,058 per year, plus local staff benefits. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised locally (EPAL) whose duty station is Pohnpei – SPC provides medical and life insurance for eligible employees. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave. Provident Fund and/or Social Security will be according to FSM’s local legislation.

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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Please note that applicants must be FSM Nationals currently residing in the country, or hold the proper work permit for salaried employment there.

Application procedure

Closing date: 11 January 2026 – 11:00 pm Noumea time

Job Reference: CR000530

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. Briefly describe your experience in organising and providing support to meetings, workshops and conferences, including travel arrangements.
2. Outline your experience in the procurement of goods and services and in contract management,  and the best practice considerations that you have followed.
3. Briefly describe your experience in administrative and financial tasks, including the filing of documents, acquittal of funds and project payments that meet audit requirements or donor contractual obligations.