Business Controller

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the Pacific region

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 organisation works across more than 25 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 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 provide support to the Financial Planning and Analysis Manager in the following activities: preparation of financial reports; providing support and guidance to SPC divisions; and budgeting process.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Budget processes and analyses

• Under the supervision of the FP&A Manager, ensure the efficiency and accuracy of the budget process.
• Play an active role in the preparation and review of annual corporate budgets, and other budgetary analysis and financial forecasts.
• Prepare and lead building of OMD Budgets in Noumea and Suva.
• Review of proposed project budgets to ensure compliance with SPC project budget template and guidelines.
• Develop and accurate set of KPIs and share with divisions.
• Ensure that FCR process is well implemented.

Financial systems development and maintenance

• Play an active role in the development and deployment of effective business intelligence (BI) solutions.
• Train division finance teams and act as key contact for all issues about the usage of BI tools.

Treasury and investment management

• Develop and maintain an accurate rolling cash forecast.
• Foster and maintain effective working relationships with banks to optimize returns on investments and services.
• Assist the FP&A Manager in the preparation of investment plans.
• Follow up of fixed assets register and periodic controls.

Support to accounting team

• Work with other finance team members to improve processes and internal controls.
• In accordance with the PIIC Advisor, perform internal control missions.
• Contribute to the effective and efficient delivery of finance services to the whole organization.

Other general

• Take a team-oriented approach by proactively assisting others in the Finance teams.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in accounting, business administration or similar financial management qualification.

Technical expertise

• Have at least 5 years of experience in accounting or financial controlling.
• Experience in use of accounting application software and reporting tools.
• Experience in use of Business Intelligence tools such as Power BI.
• Experience in preparation of budgets for a medium or large organization, financial reporting and monitoring of budgets and cash flows and Treasury management.
• Ability to influence without hierarchical authority.
• Strong client focus with high level of responsiveness and demonstrated performance in delivering outputs.         

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 31 December 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration – The Business Controller is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,284‒2,856 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,739–8,424 (USD 3,061–3,826; EUR 2,900–3,625).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 bilingualism, 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 10 December 2023 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: CB000348

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 Fiji 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):

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?