Culture Programme Assistant

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• 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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 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 Human Rights and Social Development Division (HRSD) provides a comprehensive suite of policy and legislative advice, technical assistance and capacity building, through a team comprising a Director, Manager, Team Leaders, Advisers, Officers and Programme Managers based in Suva, and Country Focal Officers and Country Coordinators located across the Pacific. The team provides advice, technical assistance and capacity building to national ministries, civil society, regional partners and other national/regional partners, as well as through mainstreaming within SPC programmes.

The Culture Programme Assistant will be responsible for providing logistical and administrative support to ensure efficient and smooth operation of HRSD’s Culture for Development programme and more specifically towards the “ACP-EU Programme (Pacific) Enhancing Capacity for the Sustainability of Cultural and Creative Industries in the Pacific” Project.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

• Manage the Culture Secretariat Desk
• Provide logistical and administrative support for the delivery, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of project activities.
• Assist Finance officer in facilitating financial and procurement processes to the Team Leader and assist with project coordination and administration.
• Assist Travel and Logistics

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• University degree or Diploma in a related field with 5 consecutive years of relevant culture sector and project management support experience

Knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated professional and effective experience in office management and programme administration
• Previous experience in project or other major donor administrative and financial procedures and reporting

Essential skills

• Excellent financial management and accounting skills
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to organise meetings, special events and to manage unexpected developments with understanding, initiative and adaptability
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and resolve problems in the daily operations of the office including financial operations

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 – Three years

Remuneration – This is a full-time position at Band 7 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a commencing taxable salary range of 2,232-2,790 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 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 – 10 March 2021 – 11:45pm Fiji time

Applicants must apply online.

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

To be considered for this role, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. These documents may be requested at a later stage.

Please ensure that you respond to all of the screening questions. If you do not respond to the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Only Fijian citizens are eligible to apply for this role.

Screening Questions:

1. Describe an example of when you were responsible for organising a large event. How did you organise and schedule the tasks? Was the event successful? If so, how did you know? Is there anything that you would have done differently?
2. Please describe your background in financial administration (including reporting) and procurement (including facilitation of procurement processes) for donor-funded projects.
3. Share an experience of working in or with cultural agencies at either the national or regional level? What were some of the challenges experienced and how did you overcome them?