Finance Officer

• Attractive local package
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• Join the principal development organisation in the Pacific region

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 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 Finance Officer is responsible for financial support to the BSRP II project and assists with the financial delivery of the overall project in accordance with SPC and donor requirements. In particular, the position holder provides the support for financial accounting, procurement, contracting and audit of project activities overall and in the fifteen project countries. Where possible, the Finance Officer may assist the GEM finance team.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Implement financial systems to ensure streamlined delivery of activities of the overall project in accordance with SPC requirements

• Assist with the management of general accounting and project accounting in accordance with SPC and Donor regulations, including ensuring appropriate budgetary controls are in place
• Provide advice to the project team on financial policies and procedures 

Provide financial management and administration support to ensure the delivery of activities and intended outcomes of the overall project in accordance with SPC and donor requirements

• Provide financial management support 
• Work with senior project staff to: oversee overall project budget revions, relocations, monitoring and management for project costed workplans

Provide support for financial accounting of regional activities and country-specific activities in all fifteen participating countries

• Support senior project staff and colaborating entities to develop budgets for regional activities, and the subsequent financial management of those activities
• Support in-country project coordinators and Project Implementation Officer with managing country budgets, including building their capacity to use financial templates and apply SPC policies

Provide financial support to other Geoscience and Energy Maritime Programme activities where required

• Seek opportunities for collaboration with other GEM administration and financial staff to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the projects, programme and division.
• Participate in training and capacity building provided by SPC.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Tertiary degree in business administration, commerce, accounting, or similar field

Knowledge and experience

• At least 5 years’ experience in commerce, accounting, business administration, which should include minimum 1 years’ experience in the administration, implementation, and monitoring of a multisectoral development project
• Understanding of project budgeting, financial reporting, donor reporting, audit requirements, and contracting       

Essential skills

• Advanced computer skills in applications such as MS Word and Excel
• Sound coordination, administrative, networking, and collaborative skills
• Good interpersonal skills with people from all sections of society, and from different cultures, countries, and institutions; experience working with national government agencies in project administration and budgeting

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 – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration – The Finance Officer is a Band 7 position in SPC’s 2022 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 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.

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 – 5 December 2022 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JR000086

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.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. What are two common financial risks in a large-scale multi-country project, and how can they be mitigated?
2. Briefly provide us with 2 challenges you had faced when you had to financially report for a project across multiple currencies. How did you overcome those challenges.
3. Provide us with the challenges/Issues you have faced when working with various project representatives in different countries to obtain financial documents for grants/acquittals in a timely manner.