Financial Accountant

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the 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 – Financial Accountant plays a key role in delivering high-quality finance services across the organisation. This position is responsible for core accounting functions including general ledger management, job ledger processing, reconciliations, fixed asset accounting, and related financial services. The Financial Accountant will ensure that these services are delivered efficiently and effectively to all SPC Divisions and the Executive Office.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Fixed assets and small value items

Fixed assets – Lead responsibility of fixed assets accounting, including:

• Capitalisation, deferred income, disposals, and depreciation based on fund type.
• Completeness and accuracy of fixed assets register (FAR) and general ledger accounts.
• Management within the FAR of capital work in progress and main asset/component splits.
• All fixed assets reporting for divisions/projects and for central finance management oversight.
• Develop materials and provide training for divisional finance staff.
• Organisation and management of periodic physical verification.

Small value items – Lead responsibility of small value items management, including:

• Completeness and accuracy of the SVI register.
• SVI reporting for divisions / projects and for central finance management oversight.
• Organisation and management of periodic physical verification.

Financial statements

• Responsible for the preparation of SPC financial statements and disclosures including the notes, appendices and supplementary statements.
• Make recommendations to managers on steps required to comply with new IPSAS standards as may be applicable.
• Liaise with the external auditors on their review of the financial statements and clear all questions in a timely manner.

Accounting and general ledger management

• Conduct monthly or periodic reconciliations and analyses of balance sheet accounts and functional areas.
• Identify and post general ledger transactions for projects and programmes in line with corporate accounting rules regarding income, expenditure, accruals, grantees, recoveries, management fees and other GL areas.
• Perform periodic analytical review and maintenance of general ledger and project ledger information, including complex accounting areas such as flagships, grants, and recoveries.

Monitoring, compliance and best practice

• Support the business improvements (PIIC) team to develop expertise in specific donor requirements and develop related best practice materials.
• Review and write user business rules for key Navision finance process areas as may be directed by a financial controller or finance manager.
• Conduct training sessions for Navision users on business rules or systems for the purpose of ensuring compliance.
• Document instances of internal control weaknesses for reporting to the finance team leader.

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.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

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

Technical expertise

• At least 3 years of experience with proven competence in a similar role.
• Strong ability to analyse complex technical financial issues, propose and implement solutions.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in collaborative and team-oriented environment.         

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

Remuneration – The Financial Accountant is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,146‒2,683 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,460–8,075 (USD 2,854–3,568; EUR 2,629–3,286). 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 1,500–5,200 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 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 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 August 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000096

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. Can you describe your experience in managing fixed assets and what tools/systems were used to manage this?
2. How do you ensure accuracy when managing financial data and records?
3. This role would require working with various stakeholders internally and externally to collate data and work on various reports. How will you manage this?