Finance Officer, Grant Management Unit, Public Health Division

SPC invites applications for the position of Finance Officer, Grant Management Unit, Public Health Division located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.

SPC is the Pacific Island region’s principal technical and scientific organisation. It delivers technical, scientific, research, policy and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories in public health, geoscience, agriculture, forestry, water resources, disaster management, fisheries, education (community, TVET, quality and standards for all school levels), statistics, transport, energy, ICT, media, human rights, gender, youth and culture. Additional information can be obtained on SPC’s website: www.spc.int.

In applying, candidates should be guided by SPC’s vision, mission and corporate values, the role and profile of the position and the key result areas and selection criteria.

SPC’s vision for the region is a secure and prosperous Pacific Community, whose people are educated and healthy and manage their resources in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way.

Our mission is to help Pacific Island people position themselves to respond effectively to the challenges they face and make informed decisions about their future and the future they leave for the generations that follow.

Our corporate values are underpinned by the principle of ‘making a positive difference in the lives of Pacific island people - putting people first’. They include accountability, integrity, respect, transparency, sustainability, people-centredness, gender equality and cultural sensitivity.

Public Health Division - employs around 70 staff based in Noumea, Suva, Honiara and Pohnpei. It supports members in developing healthier Pacific Island communities by providing assistance in public health surveillance, prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases and promotion of adolescent reproductive health. The primary focus is to provide technical assistance and to implement programmes in support of member country and territory priorities and plans. Under its strategic plan 2010–2014, the Public Health Division has four objectives: (i) to combat and reduce the overall impact and burden of diseases; (ii) to contribute to strengthening national health systems; (iii) to increase the capacity of Pacific Island countries and territories to address non-health sector determinants of health; and (iv) to increase the efficiency and impact of interventions. The division comprises three functional units: Disease Surveillance, Research and Control; Health Advancement; and Grant Management. These units are supported by two teams within the Office of the Director – the Management Support team and the Monitoring and Evaluation team.

Grant Management Unit - manages public health-related grants to sub-recipients, including Pacific Island countries and territories, non-governmental organisations, regional and civil society organisations. It supports best practice in grant and seeks to enhance the division’s capability for harmonised, high quality management of programmes and projects. In 2011, grants to countries totalled around USD 15 million, with the main funding streams being the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the Pacific Islands HIV and STI Response Fund; the Pacific Regional Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Project; and the Pacific Non-communicable Disease Framework 2-1-22 grants supported by Australia and New Zealand. It is responsible for harmonising and standardising grant management processes and procedures for two of the division’s largest donor projects: the multi-country Western Pacific project (managing Global Fund grants) and the Pacific Islands HIV and STI Response (which aims to deliver high quality, performance-based funding services to the countries and regional partners). The unit consists of three teams: (i) Grant Coordination Team; (ii) Finance Team; and (iii) Procurement and Supply Management Team. The Finance Team is responsible for day-to-day operational, strategic and practical administration, including financial risk management of the division’s grant portfolios. A grant portfolio normally comprises grants from more than one funding stream and for more than one disease component within each country.

The role – The Finance Officer, Grant Management Unit is accountable to the Senior Finance Officer. The role is responsible for financial management of a portfolio of grants in one or more of SPC’s member countries and territories with the aim of maximising grant utilisation, implementation and impact; verifying and ensuring compliance with donor requirements; and improving the alignment of funds and reporting process with national systems. The role works closely with other members of the unit, and technical staff across SPC who are implementing activities in support of the grants and liaises with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance staff in member countries and territories, and other agencies at national and regional levels that contribute towards implementing grants at the country level. The appointment is for a fixed term contract to 31 December 2013, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks a qualified accountant with experience in financial and management accounting; financial management information systems; donor fund reporting requirements; financial reporting and auditing requirements. He/she will be a team player, with the representational, interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills required to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners in a regional context.

Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability, and potential to progress, in the following four key result areas of the position:

1. Financial and grant management – Observe and adhere to policies, procedures, accounting and financial processes and internal controls to meet required standards and regulations and minimise risk; prepare grant recipient financial projections in consultation with the unit to develop the annual budget, grant agreements, contract modifications, revised funding obligations and extensions in a timely manner; ensure budgets and actual expenditure per grant activity are reported as a basis for informing programming decisions; identify and discuss funding and activity implementation gaps with the unit; accurately process and record all grant activity, budgets and expenditure; prepare categorised project ledger and reports; review grant recipient six-monthly progress reports within 21 days of receipt and disburse funds to grant recipients within 14 days of reviewing the progress reports.

2. Reporting – Provide regular financial management updates to the Senior Finance Officer; monitor grant recipient fund disbursements and expenditure in accordance with approved implementation budgets and in compliance with donor regulations and sub-recipient agreements signed with SPC; provide the unit with regular financial information through monthly progress reports.

3. Systems and knowledge management – Develop and maintain grant recipient information to enable the Senior Finance Officer to prepare six monthly donor reports, annual and management reports; use documented systems for all accounting and financial operations; maintain a database tracking sheet and filing system for all grant recipient proposals, agreements, financial reports and outstanding advances/balances to be paid; accurately update in a timely manner the grant monitoring system to ensure all relevant grant information is accessible for management decision-making; and contribute to ensuring timely completion of grant signature, commencement and grant renewal documentation by member country and territories and other stakeholder partners.

4. Capacity building – Provide capacity building support and training to staff in SPC and to technical staff in member countries and territories and other stakeholder agencies; and actively collaborate with programme colleagues to deliver high-quality technical training and to regularly review and update training materials.

Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against ten key selection criteria:

1. Strategic thinker and planner – Think and act with a long term perspective - develop and implement plans that deliver strategic and long term outcomes.
2. Resource manager – Oversee the development and management of grants and complex budgets; anticipate and manage change and risks; manage financial resources to ensure that value for investment is achieved.
3. Results oriented problem solver – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for members and other clients.
4. Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new ideas / opportunities based on sound analysis.
5. Influencing skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve divisional and organisational goals, and demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.
6. Relationship skills – Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills that will contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
7. Qualifications – A degree in accounting or financial management, with a postgraduate diploma in finance, accounting or management or membership of a recognised accounting and/or auditing professional body being an advantage.
8. Technical expertise – Demonstrated knowledge and experience in financial and management accounting, financial management information systems and donor funding and reporting requirements. A track record in managing, implementing and documenting effective financial management systems and training others in their use; and an understanding of project budgeting, financial reporting, audit requirements, and systems for international fund transfers. Experience in Microsoft Navision, developing and delivering training programmes and in working on a public health project or programme, ideally in a developing country or Pacific setting, would be advantageous.
9. Language skills – proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
10. Cultural awareness – cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

Remuneration – The Finance Officer Grant Management Unit is a Band 9 position within SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 1,896–2,844 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 5,300–8,000 (USD 2,900–4,400; € 2,300–3,500). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally 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. While SPC remuneration is not subject to income tax in Fiji at the present time, this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji. Any change in this status will apply to Fiji nationals.

Benefits – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170–2,625 per month. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; life insurance; and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

Work environment – SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows. Smoking is not permitted in the work place. As an equal-opportunity employer, SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories.

Application procedure – The closing date for applications is Friday 10 August 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the ten key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses, for three referees.

Apply online – Please use SPC’s online recruitment system at http://www.spc.int/job.html. Important note: prepare and save your curriculum vitae, response to key selection criteria and referee information as Microsoft Word documents BEFORE attempting to submit your application online. It is not possible to partially complete your application via the online system, save it and return to complete later. Can’t access the online recruitment system? Apply via email: recruit@spc.int; fax: + 687 26 38 18 or post: Sally Clark Herrmann, Recruitment and Staff Development Officer, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia. Need assistance? Contact Sally in confidence, at sallyh@spc.int or telephone + 687 26 01 40.

BACKGROUND – Established in 1947, SPC employs over 570 staff and is headquartered in Noumea, New Caledonia, with offices in Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. SPC has 26 member countries and territories including its founding members, Australia, France, New Zealand and United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners include the European Union, Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, United Nations agencies, Asian Development Bank, World Bank and Global Environment Facility, to name a few. SPC’s working languages are English and French.