Business Analyst - Finance Systems

• Noumea or Suva-based position
• 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 unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, 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 Analyst – Finance Systems will support the PIIC Advisor in the following: business process analysis and requirements; finance IT systems improvements, finance IT systems security.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Business process analysis and requirements

• Map process workflows of significant finance business processes in consultation with process owners and operators.
• Evaluate and analyse workflows for effectiveness and efficiency. Identify areas of internal control deficiency and recommend improvement actions. Use various data modelling techniques in these analyses.
• Identify KPIs that may be useful to measure and track to report on efficiencies.
• Develop key business requirements of each significant finance business process in consultation with the senior central finance team.
• Match the business requirements of existing processes and systems and highlight gaps.
• With guidance of the Finance Director and PIIC Advisor contribute to the continuous improvements of processes.
• Support training of all users affected by the business processes and workflows.

Finance IT System improvement

• Provide project management for systems projects.
• Develop specification requirements of finance systems based on business requirements gathered in consultation with ICT.
• Assist the PIIC Advisor to review the adequacy of current systems to meet expectations on an ongoing basis.
• Provide input into systems improvement plans in consultation with the PIIC Advisor.
• Lead central finance in the technical aspects of any system change process.
• Serve as the finance focal point on system development projects.

Finance system and process risk identification

• Based on business process and workflow documentation, identify flaws in processes and system for each role ensuring separation of duties and relevant system access for all modules.
• Conduct periodic reviews of systems and process to identify possibles risks.
• Support any change in system.

Other general

• Work closely with the other business analyst in the PIIC team to ensure their work is complementary and aligned to the overall team objectives.
• Support the shared services approach / project.
• Any other task that may be delegated.
• Use low / no code tools to create small automatization / Apps / Dashboard for users with the help of ICT.

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 with an IT major. Or IT degree with major in accounting or finance related subject.
• Project management certification.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of experience in accounting or IT systems analysis work.
• Experience in use of accounting application software and reporting tools.
• Experience in process workflow analysis, preparation of system requirements and data modelling techniques.
• Ability to think critically and provide insightful analysis.
• Strong client focus with high level of responsiveness and demonstrated performance in delivering outputs.
• Excellent O365 skills (Excel, SharePoint, …)
• Strong Power BI capability

Language skills

• Excellent English language both spoken and written.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

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 Business Analyst – Finance Systems is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale.

For a Noumea based position – a starting salary range of 3,209–3,915 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 474,675–579,141 (USD 4,268–5,207; EUR 3,978–4,853). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

For a Suva based position – a starting salary range of 2,284‒2,856 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,808–8,509 (USD 3,038–3,798; EUR 2,832–3,540). 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.

Benefits for international staff employees – SPC provides a housing allowance (or subsidised housing in Noumea). 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 bilinguism, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 19 January 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000335

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.

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 believe is the key role of a business analyst in an organisation such as SPC? Provide one element only and expand on this in your response. For context, finance services in SPC are delivered through two mechanisms, a central finance team within the Operations and Management Directorate (OMD), and through separate finance teams within each of the eight technical divisions. This role will be part of the central team within OMD.
2. Describe your experience in a major finance system change project, and what your specific role was.
3. Describe your experience in complex process mapping.