The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Team Leader Finance located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.

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, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division (GEM) 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 other two focus areas within this division are Programming and Operations, which is responsible for driving integrated programming excellence and operational support across the division, and Geoinformatics, which is responsible for providing diverse, integrated, and unique and demand-driven services across SPC work programmes, projects and countries.

The role – Team Leader Finance has overall management responsibility of the financial administration, advice and risk management functions of the GEM Finance Unit. This role is responsible for the implementation, oversight and enhancement of financial strategies that safeguard GEM’s financial interests as well as providing accurate financial reports and advice for sound financial decision-making.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

· Management and leadership

· Financial policies, planning and analysis

· Financial services and risk management functions

· Financial monitoring and reporting

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in accounting with a formal accreditation

Knowledge and experience

· At least 10 years of financial management experience, including budgeting, project accounting and financial reporting procedures for large aid funded projects

· Development sector experience

· Project management experience, including the financial monitoring of multiple, complex projects in developing countries

Essential skills

· Strong relationship management skills with ability to communicate complex financial concepts to a variety of audiences

· Excellent people management skills with previous experience in managing project finance teams Experience with financial management information systems

· Project management system experience

· Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

· Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Three years

Remuneration – The Team Leader Finance is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2019 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,942‒3,677 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,679–10,848 (USD 4,177–5,222; EUR 3,522–4,402). 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 1,230–2,750 per month. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and 30 days of sick leave per annum, 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.

Equal opportunity – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit; in cases where two short-listed candidates are judged to be of equal rank by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

Child protection – SPC is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. SPC’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Police clearance – Successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate.

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

· contact details for three professional referees

· 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.

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. The Pacific Community does not support dual spouse employment.

Please ensure that you respond to all 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.

Screening Questions:

1. Please outline your experience in managing finances within a multi-sectoral, multi-country and mixed member, donor-funded organisation.
2. Please describe how in the past you have managed the different challenges between project and corporate accounting.
3. Please outline your experience in managing teams and stakeholders, with specific focus on how you have worked with technical managers with varying levels of financial literacy to ensure financial compliance.