Pacific Community
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 unique 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 Human Rights and Social Development Division has a vision for just, equitable and resilient Pacific societies and it aims to achieve this by advancing human rights, equality and social inclusion for all Pacific people, grounded in cultural values and principles. The work of this Division includes work previously undertaken by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) around human rights and the Social Development Programme (SDP) in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion, culture and youth development.
In line with its vision, the work of the Division will encompass the following focal areas:
- Objective 1: Governance for human rights and social development: strengthen inclusive, transparent and active governance for human rights and social development.
- Objective 2: Gender equality and social inclusion: mobilize, empower and build conditions for gender equality, equity and social inclusion in society and development.
- Objective 3: Culture: promote, preserve and protect positive expressions of culture.
- Objective 4: Social innovation and learning: enhance knowledge, learning and innovative solutions to accelerate impact on human development priorities.
The Finance and Project Officer will support all aspects of financial and grants management for HRSD’s Project Governance through project accounting, audit, budgetary controls and monitoring of financial performance/progress in compliance with SPC and Donor policies and procedures. The position will also support procurement for approved activities across the HRSD program, contracts and project assets, and the disbursement of funds. The position will provide the program staff with financial advice, support the completion of assigned project and donor reporting, manage audit functions and assist with the administrative and coordination duties associated with the project.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Budget preparation, monitoring, and financial reporting
- Prepare project and programme financial budgets, including work plans, operational costs, and specific activities. Work closely with programme team leaders and grant partners in the budget design and preparation.
- Monitor the overall program budget and forecasts, including against the following specific areas: Program plan or annual workplan, Outputs and outcomes, Commitments and project executions and Project acquittals
Project accounting, audit, and compliance
- Facilitate all preparations for any project audit and support any external review or evaluation on financial and grant matters. Liaise with auditors to provide required documentation in a timely manner.
- Develop a robust and systematic electronic filing system covering all financial, procurement, and grant documents
Oversight and reporting of project grants activities
- Maintain a grants register and regularly update based on project progress and discussions with project team, grantees and other stakeholders. Develop action plans with project staff to deal with poor performing grantees and manage through the register.
- Assist with facilitating regular grant management meetings with program managers to track and monitor budgets, expenditure, required training and support, risks, ongoing capacity assessments and mitigation strategies
Overall administrative support
- Contribute to the SPC Finance and Procurement shared services agenda which includes knowledge sharing, process refinements / reviews and increasing collaboration.
- Facilitate all administration relating to staff travel, meetings, trainings, and field exercises
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or business administration
Technical Expertise
- At least 5 years of experience in a similar role
- Demonstrated understanding of project budgeting, financial reporting, donor reporting, audit requirements and financial management of grants
- Experience with use of financial management information systems
- Sound coordination, administrative, networking, and collaborative skills
Language skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Excellent interpersonal and representational skills with experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of different individuals and organisations
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – Until 3 May 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance
Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.
Remuneration – The Finance and Project Officer is a Band 8 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 1,994‒2,493 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 5,883–7,354 (USD 2,852–3,565; EUR 2,393–2,991). 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 bilinguism, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing date: 16 January 2023 – 11:59 pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: JM000375
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 the Fijian 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):
- What do you think are the key stages in a grant management cycle and important considerations for an organisation such as SPC?
- Briefly explain why compliance with organisational and donor procurement policies and procedures is critical for organisations such as SPC and describe three basic guiding principles or best practice requirements you would follow in undertaking procurement or grant processes.
- Provide an example where you have strengthened the capacity of an organisation to undertake procurement and/or grant processes that are efficient, effective and compliant with organisational and donor policies and procedures.