View Vacancy - FJS - Finance, HR and Compliance Officer, EO

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Corporate Services Support

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission Suva is part of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office international diplomatic network and provides a platform for UK government departments in Fiji. 

The High Commission is seeking an experienced person to work as a Finance, HR and Compliance Officer (FCO), responsible for running the High Commission’s accounts, in line with FCDO policy and guidelines. 

This is to ensure that all employees at the High Commission are able to deliver their work efficiently and effectively at all times, and deliver value for money for the UK Government. The FCDO is also a key liaison officer with many essential external CS contacts.

You will be part of a friendly team, and enjoy working as part of the wider High Commission team. Equally, you will be comfortable working with limited supervision and be able to manage the challenges of working remotely with colleagues in Manila as necessary.  You will be a “self starter” and should be comfortable taking on additional duties as and when required.   

BHC Suva and the UK’s Indo-Pacific Network is expanding. The role holder should therefore expect to support the growing BHC’s estate and a number of new colleagues from the UK as well as supporting the corporate services team with the expanding workload.

You will also ensure that Finance Refresher/Trainings are provided to staff on a regular basis or when needed, and act as the Finance liaison officer for the UK Based staff on a regular basis or when needed

Roles and responsibilities/what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

  • Support the Head of Corporate Services in managing the High Commission’s budget, monitoring expenditure to ensure on-budget spending and value for money from suppliers.
  • Lead on HR procedures, policy and advice.
  • Working as part of a team to help assist with the on-boarding of new staff to the High Commission.
  • Advise new staff on Hera financial responsibilities including reconciliation of corporate credit card and i-expenses.
  • Manage CBS payroll, overtime, allowances and ensure pay is submitted and received on time.
  • Process and Submit monthly requirements to Statutory Authority, including Fiji Revenue Customs Services and Fiji National Provident Fund.
  • Ensure all payments are made to suppliers promptly.
  • Responsible for Petty Cash imprest and accounting.
  • Management of P2P and other FCDO payment systems making sure all payments are raised, submitted and invoices are reconciled.
  • Ensure that the procurement process is followed on a timely basis. Minimise or eliminate the raising of Retrospective Purchase Orders.
  • Provide Finance and Compliance Training to staff on a regular basis or when required
  • Finance liaison officer for UK Based Staff upon arrival at Post, including local banking and providing relevant paperwork.
  • Work closely with the Head of Estates to provide UK standard services.
  • Deputise when the Head of Corporate Services is on duty travel or on leave, leading on HR, Protocol and management of the CS team.
  • Co-ordinate with the L&D Champion/Committee on learning and development strategy and corporate/team training for staff.
  • Monitor and quality control the current local appraisal system.
  • Manage and implement local terms and conditions (TACOS) and BHC Local Staff Constitution
  • Handle HR personnel and welfare matters.
  • Liaise with HR Hub and provide an induction which sets out actions to complete plus a range of reading materials.

Essential on arrival:

  • Experience in Finance and Compliance, Management experience
  • Proven ability to take responsibility for own work and use initiative to deliver high quality work
  • High levels of initiative and ability to work without close supervision
  • Strong organisational, analytical and time management skills
  • Proven record in delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines
  • Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively as part of a team
  • High standard of verbal and written communications skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable:

  • Experience of managing budgets
  • Local Knowledge of Statutory Laws 
Changing and Improving, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
13 June 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
36 months
Asia Pacific
Fiji
Suva
British High Commission
1
FJD
34,644.00 annual
7 August 2023

Open to Fiji citizens, permanent residents. Interstate applicants will be required to meet their own travel and relocation expenses.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

Staff recruited locally by the High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Fiji employment law.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

Learning and development opportunities:

The High Commission and FCDO are strong supporters of learning and Development using facilities available both in the office and overseas.  

Working Hours:

This job is available on a full or part-time (minimum 3 days a week) basis. Please express your preferred working pattern in the application. All patterns will be considered equally.

Normal working hours are from 08:00 - 16:15 from Mon-Thurs and 08:00 - 13:00 on Fridays. 

Occasionally, in line with operational duties or travel, we might ask you to work outside normal working hours and would expect flexibility.

Other Information:

The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. 

  • We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
  • We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.  
  • We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline."

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.