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 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 Procurement and Grants Officer will manage procurement and grant activities, including developing of grant calls for proposals, sourcing of goods, and development of requirements; provide accurate, expert and specialist advice on procurement and grants activities; and ensure compliance with organisational policies. The selected person will be required to travel to the Micronesia Regional Office at least 2-3 times a year to provide technical support.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Operations - Procurement and Grants:

• Manage the procurement and grants actions for allocated regional office and division/s, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotations (RFQs,) Calls for Proposals (CFP) and exceptions requests in accordance with SPC’s Procurement Policy and Grants Policy.
• Prepare procurement documents for Requests for Proposals (RFP) and support Requests for Quotations, including supporting the technical statement of needs.
• Provide support to allocated regional office and division/s with the formulation of their annual procurement plans, and development of their procurement and grants documentation.
• External relationships with vendors, including preferred suppliers, are managed.

Advice:

• Provide expert advice to clients on procurement and grants processes, including appropriate use of exceptions.
• Advice decision-makers (including the Procurement Committee) regarding complex procurement and grants issues taking into account stakeholder’s requirements to ensure value outcomes.
• Advice provided to decision-makers on how to manage ethical issues ensuring integrity is demonstrated.
• Risks are identified, mitigated and/or escalated.

Outreach, education, and training:

• Provide capacity building to SPC staff regarding procurement and grants functions.
• Provide capacity development support to potential grant applicants (where relevant).
• Build collaborative relationships with staff across OMD and SPC.
• Ensure communication with key stakeholders and builds strong relationships.

Systems and processes, and other duties as required:

• Contribute to improving procurement and grants tools and systems to assist with building understanding and compliance and facilitate project audits.
• Implement improvements in processes, procedures and systems, including assisting with mainstreaming SPC’s social and environmental principles in procurement and grant actions.
• Identify recommendations on policy and process updates.
• Lead a component of the procurement and grants reform.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications:

• CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations (or equivalent).
• Bachelor’s degree in law, finance, procurement, administration or international development or related field.

Technical expertise:

• At least 6-7 years’ experience providing advice on procurement and/or grant matters in a public sector 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 subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration – The Procurement and Grants Officer 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.

A position description is attached.