Human Resources Associate (6-Month Temporary Contract)

• Attractive local package
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• 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 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 Integration (O&I) collective delivers essential enabling services that support the organisation’s scientific and technical portfolio. Our key functions include corporate services, programme support, partnerships, resource mobilisation, and strategic engagement. These services are coordinated through our regional and satellite offices across the Pacific and Europe. Additionally, the O&I collective leads a dedicated workstream focused on organisational change and transformation to drive continuous improvement and adaptability.

The role – Human Resources Associate will provide HR Advisory and Operations support throughout the SPC staff employee lifecycle. This role is responsible for contract administration, benefits management, supporting HR projects, and a specific HR focus area.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Contracts Management, Administration and Data Management

• Draft staff employment contracts and carry out HR administrative tasks.
• Manage and maintain archive of staff contracts, ensuring signed contracts are uploaded and stored in the HRIS system.
• Onboard new employees and obtain the appointment requirements and necessary documentation during the onboarding process.
• Input and upload new employment contracts, renewals, probationary review outcomes, and any other contract amendments or required information into the HR system.

HR Advisory and Operations  

• Provide support throughout the onboarding process for new employees, from pre-arrival through to confirmation of their probationary period.
• Provide support throughout the offboarding process for departing employees, from resignation or contract end notification through to completion of all exit procedures and final clearances.
• Ensure that enrolment forms for newly appointed staff and their recognised dependents are received, accurately completed, and submitted for processing; provide all necessary information regarding benefits, reimbursement procedures, and registration requirements.
• Assist in managing benefit-related matters by ensuring that workflows for education allowance claims, housing allowances, travel credits, travel arrangements, and leave entitlements are processed accurately and in accordance with SPC policies and procedures.

Support HR Projects

• Support the HR Manager or nominee on HR projects and assignments as and when requested.
• Monitor respective trackers for the HR Advisory and Operations team.

Deliver Client-Centered HR Support and Service Excellence

• Undertake web-based approaches to Customer Services as required (e.g.) Intranet, Wahoo and the HR Helpdesk response system.
• Ensure requests are in line with SPC policies and process accordingly.
• Respond to all HR Helpdesk queries in a timely manner, seeking assistance from HRO or HR Advisor as and when required.
• Interpret situations that are not covered under existing policy before escalating to the HR Advisor and investigating if there are any precedents.

Specific HR Focus Area

• Manage payroll records and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Coordinate with HR and finance teams to resolve payroll discrepancies or issues.
• Manage and track MOFA spreadsheet updates and escalate issues to the Executive when necessary.
• Administer and oversee exemption permit and work permit requirements, liaising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Fiji Immigration to ensure compliance.

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 human resources management, business administration or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 3 years of human resources or business administration experience.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency in the use of MS Office, (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).
• Excellent organisational skills, customer service skills, time management skills, and the ability to manage multiple competing tasks.
• Familiarity with working in a dynamic and challenging environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to liaise with staff at all levels of the organisation.
• Committed to providing excellent service to clients.
• Ability to adhere to high levels of confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to apply human resources rules and regulations in a fair and consistent manner.

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 – 6 months.

Remuneration – The Human Resources Associate is a band 7 position in SPC’s 2025 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.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised locally (EPAL) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides medical and life insurance for eligible employees only. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, prorated on contract length, and access to Fiji’s National Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

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 – 11th January 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000921

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. Please describe your experience in managing employment contracts and using HR Information Systems (HRIS). What systems have you used, and how did you ensure accuracy and confidentiality in handling sensitive staff data?
2. SPC values a client-centered approach to HR. Can you give an example of a time when you provided HR support that improved the experience of a staff member or team? What was your approach and what was the outcome?
3. This position involves working with external agencies like Fiji Immigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please describe your experience in managing government-related HR processes such as work permits or benefit administration. How do you ensure compliance and follow-up?