Business Improvements & Internal Controls (BIIC) Manager

• Noumea-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 role

The Business Improvements & Internal Controls (BIIC) Manager will oversee overall responsibility for finance systems and solutions; business improvements and best practice; finance policies; strategic workforce thinking and shared services model.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Leadership and coordination

• Lead in all areas of finance systems. This includes the following: Strategic assessments of needs; Changes or adaptations; Business risk and competing stakeholder interests.
• High level coordination and leadership in support given to the other functions in finance. This includes: Understanding of available technology; Development of staff/work models; Audits and externally mandated institutional reviews; and continual focus on service and internal control improvements.
• Lead in all areas of finance policy and guidelines development and writing.

Support to the finance director

• Lead in annual business planning and reflections. This includes the following: Agenda setting; prioritization; team building & cohesion efforts; staff mix of skills and capabilities to meet future challenges; future state and strategic foresight discussions; and coordination with O&I business planning.
• Provide advice to the director and perform services in such areas as: O&I transformation agenda; lead/coordinate finance efforts within the agenda; donor requirements and performance, with particular emphasis on donor portfolios with increased risk; internal stakeholder relationships; risk identification and mitigation.

Pooling

• Lead the finance pooling work. This includes: Development and implementation of governance framework; coordination of placements; advocacy amongst stakeholders; and implementation of pilot programs.
• Lead the development of a strategic finance workforce plan. This includes: Forecasting and needs analysis; talent management and internal mobility plan.

Shared Services

• Lead in the development of shared service programs and activities. This includes the following: Establishment of best practice; subject matter experts & training; peer review programme; adaptations in O&I.
• Work collaboratively with divisional finance team leaders and other finance staff towards embedding shared services within divisions.
• Provide thought leadership in different areas of work.

People Management

• Creating a team environment that fosters and develops effective working relationships and high performance.
• Managing service levels to stakeholders and customers in a complex operating environment.
• Manage staff performance and support training and development.
• Conduct fair, consistent, timely performance planning and review meetings and encourage open communication to discuss performance.
• Monitor the performance and workloads of staff members to ensure objectives are met.
• Supports the health and safety and well‑being of employees in the way they manage and monitor the team.

Qualifications

• Post‑graduate degree in accounting, finance, business administration or information systems or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 12 years’ experience and demonstrated competence in financial management and systems development.
• Demonstrated experience in leading systems change processes from conceptualisation, specification through to roll‑out and support.
• Strong ability to conceptualise new ways of working.
• Sound collaboration, team working skills, and ability to influence.

Language skills

• Fluency in English.

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 performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Business Improvements & Internal Controls (BIIC) Manager is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 5,012–6,169 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 723,251–890,185 (USD 6,717–8,267; EUR 6,061–7,460). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia. 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 Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea

SPC provides housing support 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.

Equal‑opportunity employer

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. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.