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 Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The role – The Business Controller will support to Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Manager; high quality financial analysis and budgeting; treasury and investments; cost recoveries; support and guidance to divisions.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Budget processes and analyses

• Take an active role in the preparation and review of the annual corporate budgets, and other budgetary analysis and financial forecasts.

• Prepare and lead the building of OMD / O&I budgets.

• Review of proposed project budgets to ensure compliance with SPC project budget templates and guidelines.

• Prepare and share monthly reporting and analyses with the organisation.

• Develop and share accurate set of KPIs within the divisions.

• Ensure that the full cost recovery (FCR) process is well implemented.

• Provide support to the FP&A manager with ad hoc analyses and development of action plans.

Treasury and investments

• Develop and maintain an accurate rolling cash forecast.

• Foster and maintain effective working relationships with banks and optimise returns on investments and services.

• Assist the FP&A manager in the preparation of investment plans.

• Perform analyses on investment options considering SPC’s risk appetite and potential returns.

Support to other areas

• Support the General Accounting team in : Month end processes, year-end closure and audit and development of various financial reports and analyses.

• Support the Business Improvements & Internal Controls team in:

-Development and implementation of systems and processes. This is especially in the development of effective business intelligence solutions and training of finance teams in BI tools.

-Improvement of internal controls

Shared services and other tasks

• Actively participate in shared service programs and activities. This includes finance pooling initiatives and deployments.

• Work collaboratively with divisional finance staff in all respects.

• Take a team-oriented approach by proactively assisting others in the central finance team.

• Any other task that may be delegated.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in accounting, finance or business administration, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years’ experience and demonstrated competence in the same field.

• Experience in preparation of budgets of a medium to large organisation, financial reporting and monitoring of budgets, cashflows and treasury management.

• Strong analytical capability.

• Experience in use of accounting software and reporting tools.

• Sound collaboration and team working skills and client focused, with high level responsiveness.

• Advanced Excel skills.

Language skills

• Fluency in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Business Controller is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,209-3,915 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 469,027-572,250 (USD 4,268-5,207; EUR 3,930-4,795). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. 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 10% 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: 15 June 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000421

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.

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. Please elaborate on your experience in elaborating complex budgets? What were the most important encountered challenges? How have you overpassed them?

2. What’s your experience in term of reporting, within your organisation and to third parties such as donors? What would be the three main key factors of success to have a strong reporting function?

3. What is your experience in using Financial, accounting and “Business Intelligence” IT tools? Which tools have you used and in which context?