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Post Description: Finance Manager (FM)

Background:

Applications are invited for the above position with SPREP in Apia, Samoa. Appointment would be for a 3-year term initially with possible renewal up to a maximum of 6 years.

SPREP is an independent Intergovernmental Organization that provides assistance and technical advisory services to Pacific Island Countries (PICs), territories and administrations in the protection and management of their environment to ensure they achieve sustainable development for present and future generations. SPREP comprises 21 Pacific Island countries and territories and 4 developed countries.1

SPREP’s work is delivered through two Strategic Programmes; Island Ecosystems and Pacific Futures.

• The Island Ecosystems Programme includes components of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems management, species of special interest and people and institutions.

• The Pacific Futures programme includes components of waste management and pollution control, environmental planning, climate change and atmosphere, environment monitoring, reporting and multilateral environmental agreements and regional coordination mechanisms. Assisting the region to understand and address sustainable development issues is an essential element of this mandate.

1 American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Sates of America, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

The Finance Manager is responsible to the Director, through the Deputy Director for the professional, effective and efficient management of the Secretariat’s financial resources, and through the Corporate Services Manager for the administration of the Finance Division .

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the Secretariat’s finances to provide all necessary financial services, information, accounting and reporting systems effectively and efficiently consistent with Financial and Staff Regulations;

• Manage the staff of the Finance Division to achieve its objectives and establish and supervise individual work plans, timely performance evaluations, overall output delivery and identification of staff development needs;
• Provide relevant information, advice and assistance to the Executive, managers and staff on all aspects of SPREP’s financial services, regulations, policies and procedures and ensure these are observed and where and when appropriate reviewed and updated;
• Provide all financial reports for the Executive, Programme Managers, individual projects, donors and members in a timely manner;
• Initiate and advise on the development and preparation of the annual work programme and budget as well as monitor compliance with set expenditure allocations;
• Facilitate external audits and ensure all auditor’s recommendations are implemented and monitored;
• Liaise with and ensure all financial requirements for donor-funded projects and other financial issues are satisfactorily met;
• Ensure all financial records for the Secretariat’s bank accounts and financial transactions are constantly monitored for accuracy, updated and maintained;
• Maintain an investment strategy and cash-flow management system for SPREP’s overall financial resources;
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive from time to time.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Essential

• A university degree in accounting and/or financial management from a recognised institution (A relevant post-graduate qualification will be an advantage);
• Extensive experience in business, financial administration and accrual accounting at a senior management level;
• Demonstrated management and leadership qualities with experience in leading and working within a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team environment;
• Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office, spreadsheet applications and computerised accounting systems in particular ACCPAC with sound knowledge and experience of Performance Based Output Budget System;
• Strong strategic advisory and analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to motivate teams and establish and implement workplan objectives; and
• Fluent in English with excellent communications, presentation and inter-personal skills.

Highly Desirable:

• Membership of a recognised professional accounting institute.

Terms and Conditions

Duty Station: Apia, Samoa.

Duration:   Appointment is for a term of 3 years initially with possible renewal up to a maximum of 6 years.

Grade:   Appointment will be at the Grade J of SPREP’s authorised salary scale for professional staff.

Salary: The basic salary range for this position is expressed in International Monetary Fund Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). The salary range is from 38,610 SDRs to a maximum of 51,441 SDRs (including COLDA), depending on the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience. Currently, the equivalent salary in Samoan Tala is SAT$155,413 to a maximum of SAT$207,060 per annum (including COLDA).

Adjustments: Professional staff salaries and appropriate allowances are paid in Samoan Tala and adjusted every month based on the monthly average in the value of the SDR relative to the Samoan Tala (WST) at the time the salary payment is processed. SDR movement however is limited to within 5% above or below a reference point set annually. Remuneration is paid monthly in WST equivalent. The international currency exchange rate at the time of writing is approximately USD1.00 = SAT2.60

Term: For those recruited from outside Samoa, the term begins from the day the appointee leaves his or her home to take up the appointment. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical examination, as well as a 6 months’ probationary period. An appointment is terminated by (i) completion of term of contract (ii) one month’s notice by either party (iii) without notice by either party paying one month salary in lieu of notice or (iv) dismissed with or without notice as a disciplinary measure.

For staff recruited from outside Samoa, the following applies:

Relocation Expenses: SPREP will meet certain appointment and termination expenses for professional staff recruited from outside Apia, Samoa, including transport and accommodation en-route for the appointee and accompanying dependent(s) between home and Apia, and return, by the shortest and most economical route. This includes:

Establishment Grant: A lump sum, of SDR1,100 is payable upon taking up appointment and arrival in Apia.

Temporary Accommodation and Assistance: On arrival in Apia, the appointee and dependent(s) are entitled to temporary accommodation at a suitable hotel or other fully furnished accommodation for up to 6 working days. The appointee will be assisted to settle into Apia. This will include help in finding suitable rental accommodation.

School Holiday Travel: One return economy class flight each year between the place of education (taken to be recognized home) and Apia by (i) each dependent child being educated outside Samoa or (ii) the staff member or spouse to visit the child, providing the journey is not made within the final 6 months of the contract.

Home Leave Travel: Return economy class airfares between Apia and the recognised home for the staff member and dependents after completing 18 months of service for 3-year contracts providing no travel is undertaken within the final 12 months of the contract.

Privileges and Immunities: SPREP remuneration is tax-free for non-citizens or non-residents of Samoa, including duty-free importation of household and personal effects which have been owned and used by them for no less than six months, within 6 months of taking up appointment.

Repatriation allowance: The appointee is entitled to a repatriation allowance equivalent to two week’s salary, upon successful completion of contract, provided the contract is not extended or renewed.

For ALL professional staff, the following applies:

Cost of living differential allowance: Cost-of-living differential allowance reflects the comparative cost of living difference between Suva and Apia. This allowance is reviewed periodically based on data determined by an independent reviewer.

Education Allowance: Education expenses maybe reimbursed against actual receipts for dependent children, to cover up to 75% of the actual cost of tuition and boarding fees only. Currently the allowance is up to a maximum of Samoan Tala $15,600 per annum per dependent child, with an overall maximum of Samoan Tala $46,800 per annum per family of 3 or more eligible children.

Housing Assistance: Professional staff shall receive housing assistance of 75% of the typical rent payable in Samoa for expatriate executive furnished housing. The current rate is SAT$2,138 per month.  This assistance shall be reviewed annually and adjusted on relative movement in the local rental market.

Annual Leave: 25 working days a year (up to a maximum accumulation of 50 days).

Sick Leave: 30 working days a year (up to a maximum accumulation of 90 days).

Other Leave: Provisions also exist for maternity, family (compassionate and paternity) and special (without pay) leave.

Duty Travel: SPREP meets travelling expenses at prescribed rates necessarily incurred by staff required to travel away from Apia on official business.

Personal Accident Insurance: All employees are covered by SPREP’s 24 hour Life and Personal Accident Insurance Policy.

Medical Benefits: All employees and their dependents are entitled to have all reasonable medical, dental, and optical expenses, as determined by the Director, under the terms and conditions of the SPREP in-house Medical Treatment Scheme.

Superannuation: An expatriate contract staff member will receive a superannuation allowance of 7% of basic salary. For local contract staff, SPREP will pay 7% of basic salary to the Samoa National Provident Fund.

Definitions:

'Dependent' means the financially dependent spouse or dependent child of an employee.

'Dependent child' means an employee’s unmarried, financially dependent, natural or legally adopted child ho is:

Equal Opportunities: SPREP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Men and women are equally eligible for all posts in SPREP.

General: Appointment will be under the terms and conditions of SPREP’s Staff Regulations, a copy of which will be made available to the successful applicant.

Applications

• A detailed curriculum vitae containing full personal details (birth date, gender, nationality, marital status, number of dependents and age/s, health status, home address, and full contact numbers); qualifications and experience relevant for the position; previous and current appointments with salaries, names and contact addresses/numbers/E-mail of three professional referees who are prepared to provide testimonials.
• A statement to address how each Essential Selection Criteria is met.

• Available references from at least three recent employers and/or supervisors.

• Copies of academic qualifications.

• Indication of possible starting date if successful.

The Director

SPREP                                                       Telephone:  (685) 21 929

P O Box 240                                                Fax:           (685) 20 231

Apia                                                            Email:         SPREP@sprep.org

Samoa

Closing Date: 7 March 2008. Late applications will not be considered.

For further enquiries, the Personnel Officer can be contacted on telephone (685) 21929 ext 230 or Email: litiab@sprep.org