The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Payroll Team Leader within its Operations and Management Directorate. This position will be located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.
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 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 and 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 – the Payroll Team Leader will supervise the Payroll function and lead a team to deliver efficient and timely payroll services for all SPC staff. He/she will provide advice to staff on payroll matters, oversee the management of SPC Provident Fund, give support for corporate and programme budgeting processes, manage systems improvement for payroll. This position will work closely with the Human Resources Division and IT on payroll and human resource policies and processes.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Coordination and team management
- Provide mentoring and coaching to build capability and enhance payroll skills and knowledge within the payroll function.
- Ensure corporate requirements are met individually and as a team including the performance planning and assessment cycle and the requirements of finance, audit, and risk reporting.
- Manage staff performance and ensures consistency.
Co-ordination and management of all aspects of payroll service delivery
- Supervise and oversee the payment of all salaries and allowances to staff.
- Investigate and provide advice on any payroll claims and issues that are escalated.
- Check payroll variances with satisfactory comments and verify that payroll calculations are correct.
- Ensure compliance with applicable statutory laws and payroll tax requirements at various payroll locations.
- Resolve payroll process related issues and problems.
- Review, check and sign payroll reconciliations related general ledger accounts.
- Ensure the maintenance of staff payroll records and documents.
Payroll reporting, regulations, and governance
- Prepare and design payroll reporting for analysis and budget purposes from the payroll systems and the Navision systems.
- Coordinate the regular issue of Exceptional reporting and investigate and rectify any anomalies with HR and IT.
- Review payroll policies and amend procedures when required with the support of the PIIC Advisor.
- Ensure there are proper internal controls in place in payroll systems and processes.
Payroll (PayGlobal) System maintenance and improvement
- Working with HR/IT in a collaborative manner to focus on continuous improvement of the current systems and ensure the HR and Payroll systems are working effectively.
- Identify system and process improvements that will increase efficiency, accuracy and effectiveness of the service delivery.
- Work with HR to ensure all staff and all locations are set up accurately in PayGlobal and all staff are paid via central Payroll function.
Other support
- Other duties as may be required from time-to-time to support the finance senior team members.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Degree in accounting, business administration or similar financial management qualification.
Technical expertise
- Have at least 5 years of experience as a payroll team leader or similar role.
- Expert skills in MS Excel and Advanced skills in MS Office.
- Experience in managing payroll for international staff based in multiple locations and in multiple currencies.
- Knowledge of local and international banking systems and regulation.
- Sound experience leading a team of payroll staff.
- Experience working in environments under pressure, managing multiple priorities to proactively seek solutions.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and strong customer-service orientation.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other areas of Operations - Finance/HR/IT.
- Strong analytical, methodical, and organizational skills.
- Experience working with a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
Language skills
- Fluency in English with a good command in both verbal and written communication.
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 funding and performance.
Remuneration– the Payroll Team Leader is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,209–3,915 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 486,099–593,079 (USD 4,300–5,246; EUR 4,074–4,970). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.
Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia– SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. 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 matching 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 bilinguism, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing date: 7 May 2023 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: SH000301
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
- an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
- a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
- responses to all screening questions
Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.
Screening questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):
- Describe your familiarity and use of payroll software.
- Describe your familiarity and use of HR software.
- Describe your experience in handling payroll function in organisation doing payroll in multi-currency and multi-region.