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Adviser - European Union Finance and Business Process

Suva

  • Organization: SPC - Pacific Community
  • Location: Suva
  • Grade: Senior level - Senior
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Human Resources
    • Banking and Finance
    • Labour Market Policy
    • Sustainable Business Development
  • Closing Date: Closed

  • Suva-based position (Fiji)
  • Attractive expatriate package
  • 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, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The European Union Project Management Unit (EU PMU) was established within SPC in 2018. The European Union supports SPC in the financing of technical projects that meet the priorities of the Pacific region. Over the past several years, EU-funded projects were managed by the implementing divisions with varying degrees of compliance to financial management, procurement and standards policies. The purpose of the EU PMU is to ensure that SPC effectively manages all EU-funded projects in a standard, centralised manner, and to drive greater levels of project execution.

The role – Adviser – European Union Finance and Business Process will provide practical support, advice, and training in financial management of EU contracts to implementing teams for EU projects across SPC in compliance with contractual conditions related to finance and procurement. This role will be responsible for the coordinating and facilitating information and experience exchange, developing standardised guidelines and trainings, providing recommendations to address gaps in existing internal SPC policies and procedures, and the review of business processes impacting the EU funded projects for improvements.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

  • Provide advice and support in EU financial management to technical and leadership teams ensuring EU grants are managed in full compliance with the financial requirements as laid down in the relevant EU agreements and SPC policies and procedures.
  • Strengthening the SPC capacity to meet contractual obligations with the EU in finance and procurement related areas by developing guidelines and trainings.
  • Provide quality assurance of all upcoming EU-funded projects, ensuring that budgets, work plans, sub-granting schemes and procurement plans are of highest standards to cater for an excellent project execution and management.
  • Provide recommendations for improvements of existing systems, standards and procedures in SPC from a business process review perspective to meet contractual obligations in the most efficient way.

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

 

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

  • Degree in a relevant discipline such as accounting, financial management or programme management

Technical expertise

  • At least 8 years of experience in project management working with large and complex EU or other donor-funded multi-beneficiary projects
  • Experience with supporting EU projects, including EU financial reporting requirements and EU procurement requirements
  • Experience in identifying gaps in systems and procedures, reshaping and implementing change successfully
  • Direct experience in accounting and financial reporting procedures
  • Experience in training, mentoring and coaching staff
  • Sound understanding of EU conditions, organisation, funding frameworks, processes and agreements
  • A team player with well-developed innovation and analytical skills
  • Sound understanding of procurement and auditing procedures and requirements
  • Initiative and ability to determine and achieve objectives
  • Excellent PC-based computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and Internet                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

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 Adviser – European Union Finance and Business Process is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,595–9,494 (USD 3,450–4,313; EUR 3,268–4,085). 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. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available 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 matching contribution).

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 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: 28 May 2023 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: CB000337

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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. Based on your experience with large and complex EU or other donor-funded multi-beneficiary projects, kindly identify and explain 3 lessons learnt that would assist you in this role.
  2. Based on your experience, what particular challenges do you foresee in reshaping existing financial and business process procedures and implementing change successfully? And how would you address those challenges?

Position Description

This vacancy is now closed.
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