Senior Finance Manager

• 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 – Senior Finance Manager holds overall responsibility for delivering high-quality financial and management accounting services across SPC. This role provides strategic financial advice to senior leadership and ensures robust financial planning, reporting, and compliance. The incumbent will lead a team of finance professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As a key member of the finance leadership team, the Senior Finance Manager will contribute to organisational decision-making, drive financial sustainability, and support the implementation of SPC’s strategic objectives.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Leadership and coordination

• Provide proactive leadership across all areas of financial management, including complex technical accounting issues, navigating competing stakeholder interests, contributing to strategic foresight and future-state planning, and ensuring the team has the right mix of skills and capabilities to meet future challenges.
• Provide high-level coordination and leadership across all core finance delivery areas through the financial controllers, including audits and externally mandated reviews, periodical reporting with analysis and risk insights for senior leadership, the establishment and enhancement of best practices, and a continuous focus on service improvements.
• Provide high-level coordination and leadership in all areas of divisional finance delivery through the finance team leaders, including audits and donor interactions, management of project or donor-specific risks and mitigations, and support for flagship initiatives and innovative ways of working.

Support to the finance director

• Develop in consultation with the Finance team, work plans for financial management.
• Review and update the annual business planning of Finance, in close collaboration with the Finance Director.
• Consider strategically staffing and system requirements required to deliver on the business plan.
• Undertake Audit and Risk Committee responsibilities including writing and presenting papers.
• Support and represent the director in the SLT through development of the finance agenda, writing and presenting.
• Provide strategic advice to the Director and deliver services across key areas including financial and organisational reform, performance and risk analysis, donor requirements and high-risk portfolios, internal stakeholder engagement, matrix and cross-cutting programmes, risk identification and mitigation, special investigations, coordination of reporting requirements, and support for effective communication of projects and operations.

Collaboration with other areas

• Provide leadership and advice to contribute to the effective delivery of Finance sections such as FP&A or BIIC.
• Collaborate with the financial planning & analysis team on the annual budget process, monthly cashflow and treasury requirements, full cost recovery, and the development of various financial reports and analyses.
• Collaborate with the Business Improvements & Internal Controls team on the development and implementation of systems and processes, shared services and pooling strategies, and the enhancement of internal controls.

Shared Services

• Actively participate and lead in shared services programs and activities.
• Explore the development and refinement of the finance pooling initiatives. Provide advice on workforce planning for Finance and advise on budget impacts.
• Work collaboratively with divisional finance team leaders and other finance staff across SPC towards embedding shared services within divisions.
• Foster and promote one SPC ways of working through the shared services medium.
• Provide thought leadership in different areas of work.

People Management

• Create a team environment that fosters and develops effective working relationships and high performance.
• Manage, coordinate and plan resources needs effectively. Monitor the performance and workloads of staff members to ensure objectives are met.
• Manage and maintain service levels to ensure stakeholders and customers satisfaction in a complex operating environment.
• Manage staff performance and support training and development through notably conducting fair, consistent, timely performance planning and review meetings that encourage open communication to discuss performance.
• Support the health and safety and well-being of employees.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 15 years of experience and demonstrated competence in a similar role.
• Demonstrated experience in project and financial management.
• Excellent track record in managing staff effectively.
• Strong analytical ability and demonstrated ability to navigate complex technical issues and to manage financial risk.
• Ability to liaise with staff at all levels of the organisation.
• Sound collaboration, leadership and team working skills.
• Advanced Excel skills.        

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 – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Senior Finance Manager is band 13 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,291‒5,364 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 12,917–16,146 (USD 5,707–7,134; EUR 5,256–6,570). 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. 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 Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – 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: 9 November 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000909

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. What do you think would be the key financial management challenges for an organisation like SPC.
2. Can you share your experience in managing highly effective finance management systems.
3. Describe your experience in managing multi-location, multi-cultural teams.