• Expressions of Interest will close on: 19 May 2023, 5PM GMT+12
  • Location of role: Suva, Fiji
  • Term: 2 years with a possibility of 1 year extension
  • Reporting to: Kōtui Program Manager
  • Job Description is available for download
  • Please contact Recruitment Coordinator Divono Vakatale for any questions: [email protected]
  • All applications must be lodged online

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

ACCOUNTANT KOTUI PROGRAMME

Job Purpose

The Accountant – Kōtui Programme will be a core member of the OiP business support unit responsible for the provision of finance services to Pacific programmes. The role will be dedicated to the Kōtui programme: and will include supporting the establishment of Kōtui financial systems and processes, day to day financial management of the programme, assisting with all procurement undertaken by the programme in the Pacific, supporting effective programme planning and administration by tracking financial data, recording information for use within financial systems, supporting planning, reporting and administration; and ensuring financial management is compliant with Oxfam International and MFAT standards.

Job Responsibilities

Technical

Project Management:

Business services:

  • With the support of the Regional Management Accountant, the role will manage the establishment and continuous improvement of Kōtui financial systems and processes, in coordination with Oxfam in the Pacific (OiP), Oxfam Australia and Oxfam Aotearoa for the three OiP projects
  • Provide strategic financial counsel to the Kōtui Operations Manager and to Project Managers in Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and PNG, ensuring they have regular, accurate and timely financial information.
  • Coordinate Kōtui programme financial planning, budgeting, tracking and reporting processes across Pacific project teams.
  • Support Kōtui and Pacific Programmes teams with budgeting and reforecasting process.
  • Work in coordination with the Kōtui and OIP programme teams across Pacific countries to ensure the effective administration and monitoring of project funds.
  • Provide financial support and coaching to Kōtui project managers and partners as required, to ensure timeliness, compliance and accuracy in Kōtui financial processes.
  • Complete quarterly financial acquittals, including reviewing partner grants submissions and supporting documentation for integrity, accuracy and completeness.
  • Prepare financial reports as required for programme management and accountability to donors in a timely manner, ensuring that they are accurate and of high quality and meet donor requirements.
  • Process payments in compliance with Oxfam policies and procedures. Review and check supporting financial documentation for integrity, accuracy and completeness before transaction is approved for payment.
  • Prepare monthly variance reports in donor formats and initiate re-allocation of expenditure / budgets as advised by the Kōtui Operations Manager, and OiP Regional Management Accountant.
  • Perform monthly reconciliations (General Ledger, bank, suppliers).
  • Responsible for input of all data into MYOB financial system, checking of expense coding, and correct coding allocation of all funds received.
  • Ensure there are always sufficient project funds available in each cost centre and for each partner organisation as per contractual guidelines
  • Ensure that OIP financial systems, policies and procedures are followed and that financial management and reporting comply with Oxfam and donor requirements.
  • Undertake checking and reviewing of staff travel and advances, ensuring staff have completed acquittals correctly and processing of all acquittals;
  • Maintain the Programme Fixed Asset Register, and monitor movement, use and maintenance of all Kōtui programme assets.
  • Support internal and external audit process and the implementation of audit recommendations.

Representation and Relationships:

  • Develop and maintain collegial, respectful, productive and robust partnerships with Oxfam staff and partner organisations.
  • Represent financial processes with donor and project partners, as well as with internal Oxfam units.
  • Build relationships with external stakeholders and allies including donors, government representatives and other civil society organisations.
  • Support the Programme Manager and programme team in external representation as required.

Leadership

Representation and Relationships

  • Develop and maintain collegial, respectful, productive and robust relationships with key Tuvalu decision makers and influencers across a range of sectors, including (but not limited to) government, private sector, non-government and community.
  • With the guidance of the Kōtui Operations Manager and in consultation with partners, lead, collaborate and support (as appropriate) influencing work at project and country levels, engaging regularly with key stakeholders.
  • Establish close and robust relationships with counterparts in Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and other countries implementing Kōtui projects, for the purpose of shared learning and good practice.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with New Zealand High Commission staff in Funafuti.
  • Ensure the Tuvalu project is well-connected to other Kōtui projects and to other OIP programmes, to share learning, ensure complementarity, avoid duplication, and realise cost efficiencies.
  • If required, participate in reporting, planning and contract negotiation processes with MFAT.

Other

  • Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values (click here) as well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights (click here).
  • Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Job Requirements

Essential

Skills, Competencies and Experience:

  • Experience working in Tuvalu, familiarity with Tuvaluan culture, and established networks across government and non-government sectors.
  • At least five years’ experience in project and/or programme management.
  • Demonstrated expertise in governance and influencing approaches and/or community-based climate change adaptation and/or women’s empowerment work
  • Demonstrated skills in motivating, influencing, and negotiating in a range of contexts.
  • Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to think strategically, including the ability to prioritise and sequence actions toward long-term outcomes; and to analyse the context and the political economy and propose consequent adjustments to interventions.
  • Demonstrated expertise in budget management, financial planning and reporting.
  • Expertise in developing and producing project reports (narrative and financial).
  • Demonstrated expertise in representation with partners, government agencies and donors, and a track record of effectively managing, brokering and leveraging strategic relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

Travel:

Regular travel, both domestic and (when circumstances permit) international, of at least 12 weeks per year is a requirement of the position. The role involves visits to rural communities, including via over-land vehicles, small boats, and small planes.

Desirable

Education:

  • Relevant qualification in finance, accountancy or business, or equivalent professional experience.
  • At least five years experience in senior accounting role

Experience:

Skills and Experience:

  • Excellent organisational and accounting skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
  • A high level of proficiency with accounting MYOB experience an advantage.

Key Attributes:

Professional and Personal Attributes:

  • Excellent numeracy and analytical skills; able to understand complex financial issues and translate them into simple, workable actions and plans.
  • Ability to lead complex, multi-project financial processes.
  • Thorough, accurate and consistent, and able to work well within a high-compliance environment.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and deliver work to tight deadlines.
  • Facilitative, flexible and collaborative working style.
  • Ability to work well both autonomously and as a member of a team.
  • Ability and commitment to support capacity development of less experienced staff and partners.
  • Ability to manage relationships and deliver results with a team spread across multiple locations, using both online and face to face communication.
  • Demonstrated high level written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Understanding of and commitment to Oxfam’s and Oxfam in the Pacific’s development philosophy, principles, objectives and policies.
  • Understanding of and commitment to upholding principles and policies relating to gender equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, child protection, and health and wellbeing.

Organisational Values:

  • Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
  • Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
  • Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.