Procurement Officer

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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Operations Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The role – Procurement Officer will manage procurement activities, including sourcing of goods, and development of requirements; provide accurate advice on procurement activities; and ensure compliance with organisational policies; and assisting with the mainstreaming of social and environmental principles in SPC’s procurement practices.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Operations: procurement

• Manage the procurement actions for the division, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotations (RFQs,) and exceptions requests in accordance with SPC’s Procurement Policy.
• Manage the RFP and provide support on RFQs and other procurement processes for other allocated divisions or programmes
• Prepare procurement documents for Requests for Proposals (RFP) and Requests for Quotations, including the technical statement of needs.
• Provide support to all division programs/projects (and any other allocated divisions) with the formulation of their annual procurement plans, and development of their procurement documentation.

Guidance

• Provide advice to assigned division staff and other allocated SPC divisions on procurement processes, including appropriate use of exceptions.
• Provide advice to decision-makers (including the Procurement Committee) on complex procurement issues taking into account stakeholder’s requirements to ensure value outcomes.
• Demonstrate integrity when providing advice to decision-makers on how to manage ethical issues.
• Identify, mitigate and/or escalate risks.

Outreach, education and training

• Provide capacity building to SPC staff in procurement functions.
• Build collaborative relationships with staff across OMD and SPC.
• Ensure communication with key stakeholders and builds strong relationships.

Systems and processes

• Contribute to improving procurement tools and systems to assist with building understanding and compliance and facilitate project audits.
• Implement improvements in processes, procedures and systems, including assisting with mainstreaming SPC’s social and environmental principles in procurement actions.
• Identify recommendations on policy and process updates.
• Identify and implement process improvements collaboratively.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in law, finance, procurement, administration, international relations, sustainable development or related field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years’ experience providing advice on procurement matters in a public sector environment.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 28 February 2028 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Procurement Officer is band 9 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,284‒2,856 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,876–8,595 (USD 3,038–3,798; EUR 2,798–3,498). 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. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. 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.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.