Business Improvements & Internal Controls (BIIC) Manager
Overview
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 & Integration (O&I) collective delivers essential enabling services that support the organisation’s scientific and technical portfolio. Our key functions include corporate services, programme support, partnerships, resource mobilisation, and strategic engagement. These services are coordinated through our regional and satellite offices across the Pacific and Europe. Additionally, the O&I collective leads a dedicated workstream focused on organisational change and transformation to drive continuous improvement and adaptability.
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.
Key responsibilities
- Leadership and coordination: Lead in all areas of finance systems. This includes 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 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 emphasis on donor portfolios with increased risk; internal stakeholder relationships; risk identification and mitigation.
- Pooling: Lead the finance pooling work, governance framework, placements coordination, stakeholder advocacy, pilot programs. Lead the development of a strategic finance workforce plan including forecasting and needs analysis; talent management and internal mobility plan.
- Shared Services: Lead development of shared service programs and activities; establish best practice; subject matter experts & training; peer review program; embed into divisions; provide thought leadership.
- People Management: Create a team environment, manage service levels, staff performance and development, conduct performance reviews, monitor workloads, support health and safety.
- Refer to the online job description for a more detailed account of key responsibilities.
Key selection criteria
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
- Experience in leading systems change from conceptualisation to roll-out and support
- Ability to conceptualise new ways of working; strong collaboration and influencing skills
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 BIIC Manager is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale with a starting salary range of SDR 5,012-6,169 per month, approximately XPF 723,251-890,185 (USD 6,717-8,267; EUR 6,061-7,460). Salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia. Offers are normally made in the lower half of this range, with progression based on performance.
Benefits
SPC provides housing support in Noumea, establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances for eligible employees and 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 (8% employee + 10% SPC contribution).
Languages
SPC’s working languages are English and French.
Recruitment principles
SPC is an equal-opportunity employer and commits to cultural and gender diversity, bilinguism, and attracting candidates who respect these values. If two candidates are ranked equal, preference will be given to Pacific Islander. Applicants will be confidential in line with SPC’s private policy.
Application procedure
Closing date: 5 July 2026 - 11:00 pm (Noumea time). Job Reference: CR . Applicants must apply online at Hard copies will not be accepted. To be considered, provide: updated resume with three referees, a cover letter, responses to screening questions. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Documents should be in MS Word or PDF. SPC does not charge a fee.
Screening questions
- What are the key challenges in business system improvements for SPC? Focus on one element and explain.
- Please describe your experience in a major finance system change project and your role.
- Please describe your experience in developing financial management skills in large organisations.