Job Description

Terms of Reference

Position Title

Finance Officer (Graduate level)

Duration/ Term

Full time until 15 November 2027, with option of extension

Location

Apia, Samoa

Appointment

Samoan National

Travel

Within Samoa as required

Reporting to

Finance Manager

Objective

The Finance Officer is responsible for providing support for the delivery of financial, administrative, operational and logistical services required for the Tautua program.

About the Tautua Program

The Tautua prioritises five interconnected pillars of human development: Education, Health, Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Protection. Guided by the Government of Samoa (GoS), Tautua provides opportunity to create transformative change in human development by addressing complex development needs though multi-sectoral, innovative approaches that identify and focus on the underlying issues. Simultaneously, Tautua intends to be able to respond to emergency, short-term needs, build capacity and through research, monitoring and evaluation, apply lessons learned and evidence-based decision making to continuously improve delivery. The goal for Tautua is 'improved health, education, gender equality and social outcomes, and social harmony for all Samoans'.

Tautua has three end-of-investment outcomes (EOIOs):

EOIO1: Samoans, especially women and girls, youth, persons with disabilities, the vulnerable and those living in hardship, have more equitable access to health, education, disability and social protection services.

EOIO2: Samoans benefit from the delivery of more inclusive, gender-responsive and higher-quality health, education, community and social development, and social protection services in line with GoS priority areas.

EOIO3: Tautua is an effective partnership between the Governments of Samoa and Australia that supports Samoa’s human development priorities, contributes positively to the bilateral relationship and delivers the specific EOIOs of each of the sub-programs.

Tautua identified, during the design and consultation phases, four critical social issues as key areas of initial focus for the program:

CSI 01: Reducing the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) | Health Sector

CSI 02: Reversing stagnated learning outcomes | Education Sector

CSI 03: Reducing the vulnerability of those whose rights to exercise a choice and whose personal safety are threatened | Community and Social Development Sector

CSI 04: Overcoming barriers to inclusive communities | Community and Social Development Sector

Scope of Services

This position is responsible for supporting the efficient operations of the program finance systems and providing support in the day-to-day management of the office. Required tasks include (but are not restricted to) the following activities:

• Assist the Senior Finance Coordinator to process salary payments for locally engaged staff and National Advisers, including managing the tax and superannuation withholding requirements.
• Draft fortnightly payroll summaries for program staff.
• Assist the Operations Manager with staff onboarding and maintenance of records, including HR compass updates, payroll memos, leave management trackers and STA input and reimbursable expense trackers.
• Support the Operations Manager with program recruitment, including organising placement of job advertisements, scheduling of interviews, and undertaking due diligence.

• Monitor and ensure payment of office utilities including electricity, rent, fumigation etc. are carried out in a timely manner.
• Assist Senior Finance Coordinator and Operations Manager with the day-to-day office management both physical office environment and of corporate systems and processes.
• Assist with logistical arrangements for program events and activities including meeting preparation and booking of venues.
• Assist with the preparation of the Tautua office conference room for meetings and other activities, including catering arrangements and cleaning of cutlery and utensils.

• Contribute actively to a dynamic and collaborative team culture in line with organizational and team values.
• Assist the Senior Finance Coordinator and Operations Manager with program Records Management.
• Perform other functions that may be required by and agreed with the Senior Finance Coordinator, Operations Manager and/or Palladium’s Program Manager.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications and Experience

• A Diploma in Accounting, finance or related field.
• Minimum four years’ experience in similar role.

Competencies

• Demonstrated experience in financial, human resources management, project planning and administration, and administrative procedures and systems.
• Demonstrated experience working in similar roles on international donor-funded projects.
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural skills and customer service skills; and the ability to work effectively with individuals and teams at all levels of an organisation.
• An understanding of the social, cultural, political and institutional factors affecting development in Samoa including gender and disability inequalities.
• Demonstrated capacity for work planning and prioritisation, including the ability to implement several activities concurrently and support team priorities outside the roles’ specific portfolio of work.
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative, to be adaptable and dependable.
• Demonstrated analytical, reporting, problem-solving and risk management skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and spoken English
• Demonstrated proficiency in MS Excel, MS Office suite of programs and data management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a low level of supervision and as a part of a team when required.

Desirable

• Valid driver's license.

About Palladium
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives. Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.