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 Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role – the Senior Projects Officer (OFP) will support the work of the Oceanic Fisheries Programme with preparation of programme budgets, financial monitoring and reporting, audit compliance, procurement and grants, in liaison with the FAME Division’s central Finance team.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Project activity implementation and administrative support for OFP

• Check project execution from the operational and financial perspective including making recommendations for the adjustment of project. activities to ensure the project execution rate is on track.

• Support preparation of FAME costed procurement plans and workplans, and lead on any required budget reallocation processes.

• Contribute to the preparation of all requests for proposals, requests for quotations and expressions of interest in line with SPC and donor requirements.

• Support the preparation of contracts for suppliers needed to deliver OFP activities.

• Liaise with the procurement section in the preparation of contracts for consultants in accordance with SPC policies.

• Support with and assist OFP procurements, ensuring they are consistent with SPC procurement rules.

• Liaise with SPC O&I sections as appropriate to ensure the efficient delivery of OFP activities.

Project Coordination

• Support the FAME Deputy Director (OFP) in key project coordination.

• Work closely with the FAME Deputy Director (OFP), OFP senior staff, project staff, and the administrative and support staff to plan for, and ensure all donor narrative and financial reporting milestones are met.

• Assist the FAME Deputy Director (OFP) and other senior OFP staff, with OFP annual work planning and workplan tracking consistent with the OFP 5-Year Plan and the FAME Business Plan and available funding.

• Track and assist with projects’ budgets and expenditure.

• Maintain the filing of all of the projects’ documentation and reports.

Financial planning, monitoring and reporting

• Support all aspects of financial management of the OFP portfolio through integrated programming, business planning and project management processes

• Support the Finance Team Leader in the preparation of timely multi-purpose project financial reports for SPC, donor, and any external project committee.

• Maintain accurate records of all financial transactions for the different OFP budgets not covered by other FAME staff

• Check all financial statements from the SPC Finance Section to ensure accuracy, and have changes made where necessary

• Assist in the monitoring of project cash receipts, income, and expenditure to ensure that the project has sufficient funds for the implementation of activities.

Project audit, business processes and compliance

• Facilitate, with the FAME Finance Team Leader, all preparations for any OFP project audit and support any external review or evaluation on financial and grant matters.

• Support the implementation of appropriate systems and internal controls across the OFP portfolio.

• Contribute to the division’s risk management processes, including in the work-planning process, as it pertains to financial and compliance risk, identifying potential risks, such as, irregular expenditures not approved in work plan.

• Provide support for the review and implementation of applicable SPC policies and processes as may be required, including participating in review groups or discussions.

OFP administration team management and mentoring

• Develop, in consultation where appropriate, annual work plans and work plan reports for the OFP administration team consistent with the strategic and annual plans

• Manage the activities of the OFP administration team consistent with annual work plans and available funding

• Implement the SPC staff performance planning and management system for the OFP administration team

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in Financial Management, accounting, project management or business administration or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of demonstrated professional experience and competence in project operations / administration and/or finance.

• Experience in financial reporting, compliance, and business processes for projects funded.

• Demonstrated experience in managing procurement and grant processes.

• Experience in preparation of budgets, financial reporting and monitoring of budget and cash flows.

• Analytical ability and demonstrated ability to achieve efficiencies with attention to detail.

• Strong understanding and experience in use of computerized financial management information systems, preferably Navision.

• Ability to foster healthy relationships with vendors and suppliers.

• Dealing with different reporting requirements in multi-currency donor projects.

Language skills

• Good communication skills in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Affinity for teamwork with good communication and analytical skills.

• 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 Senior Projects Officer (OFP) is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,568-4,364 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 521,491-637,777 (USD 4,745-5,804; EUR 4,370-5,345). 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: 11 May 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000411

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. What is your experience in terms 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?

2. Can you share your experience in handling procurement processes, from preparing requests for proposals to managing vendor relationships? And how do you manage the archiving of supporting documents?

3. What do you believe are the three most important financial management areas of work in an intergovernmental development organisation such as SPC, giving regard to current risks, challenges, and its organisational aspirations? How would you approach these areas of work? Provide examples of your past work experience to support your answer.