Finance Associate

• Attractive local package
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• Join the principal development organisation 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are four (4) areas of scientific programming 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.
4. Earth and Ocean Observation Services – Promoting spatial data and systems analysis and capacity to improve decision-making to improve resilience and sustainable resource management.

The role – Finance Associate will be responsible for supporting the administrative and financial delivery of a range of GEM projects in accordance with SPC and Donor requirements which includes assisting with financial management of project accounting, audit, and budgetary controls, monitoring of project sub contractual requirements, support for procurement of works and services contracts, support for the development and acquittal of country grant agreements funding with Pacific Island countries. The Finance Associate may be required to assist other projects within the GEM Division and the GEM finance team.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Financial and procurement support services:

• Monitor project expenditure against approved budget on a monthly basis.
• Facilitate sub-recipient grants to countries and ensure that quarterly sub-recipient acquittals are received and processed in system.
• Work closely with the GEM finance team to assist with project audits and provide support with the retrieval of documents required for project audits.
• Verify 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.
• Support and build capacity with country counterparts (including project coordinators and support staff) to deliver on SPC procurement and financial requirements.

Travel and Logistics Management

• Manage travel requirements for programme staff, including liaising with travel agents on itinerary and tickets.
• Support the development of budgets for regional workshops and field travel needs.
• Facilitate travel arrangements for regional and national workshops.
• Provide facilitation and logistical support to Regional and National Workshops, including securing workshop venues, accommodation and other services.
• Prepare Country Circulars to the SPC focal points regarding workshops and events.

Administration and Operations Support

• Manage day-to-day administration and operations work.
• Manage and monitor 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 manage project assets records.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A diploma in business administration, commerce, accounting, or similar field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 3 years of experience in donor project finance and administration.
• Financial analytical ability.
• Sound experience in logistics management inclusive of travel for workshops and training        

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 – 31 December 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration – The Finance Associate is a band 7 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of FJD 2,402-3,002 per month, 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 Suva – SPC provides medical and life insurance 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).

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 – 29 March 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000188

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. Identify one high value procurement challenge you have faced in your current line of work and explain how it was resolved.
2. Accurate financial data is important for reporting purposes. Can you explain one method you have used that has effectively ensured the correctness of data for reporting purposes?
3. SPC carries out a lot of regional workshops as part of our work portfolio. What are 2 risks and solutions you can identify when arranging a workshop for multiple external participants?