Finance and Administration Officer - CCC008

Position Number: CCC008 Finance and Administration Officer

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a premier regional institution uniquely governed by twelve member countries and dedicated to providing high-quality education and enhancing regionally relevant research opportunities to its diverse student body across the Pacific Islands. USP aims to empower individuals and communities through education, fostering sustainable development and regional cooperation. USP’s leadership in the Pacific, through academic knowledge, policy advice, and resource-sharing, continues to play a key role in advancing the region as a whole.

The USP Cook Island Campus delivers the University’s strategic objectives locally and supports Cook Islands, as a USP Member Country, in the social, economic and cultural development of its students and communities. The Finance and Administration Officer will carry out all financial and administrative services and ensure that these functions contribute to the overall operational efficiency of the Cook Island Campus.

The Opportunity

An exciting position exists at the USP Cook Islands Campus to undertake the role of a Finance and Administration Officer, who will be responsible for carrying out all the administration and financial functions to enable the Cook Island Campus to deliver its services and support to all students and staff.

Operating within a multi-campus framework, the Finance and Administration Officer works closely with the designated Business Manager, campus staff, and central Finance units to maintain accurate records, process transactions, and support financial reporting and administrative services. This includes managing procure-to-pay (P2P), accounts receivable (AR), accounts payable (AP), student financial support, cash handling, reconciliations, compliance reporting, ICT and general administrative support for the Campus. The Finance and Administration Officer plays a critical role in ensuring the financial integrity of the Cook Island Campus.

The incumbent will also provide administrative and logistical support to the Coordinator Campus Operations. This may include facilitating meetings and events, travel, community engagement and other activities organized for key stakeholders in Cook Islands.

S/he may be required to provide on-site support to the ITS team by ensuring all general ICT equipment are configured, operational and regularly maintained at the Campus.

The Finance and Administration Officer may need to act in the absence of the Business Manager and Coordinator Campus Operations, supervise staff and support strategic financial and administrative coordination. By administering day-to-day financial operations and supporting students and staff, the role contributes directly to the Campus’s compliance, sustainability, and service excellence.

Specific Duties

The successful applicant, will be responsible for:

• Coordinating the procurement and payments processes
• Providing student services including receipting, debt management, and student enquiries
• Managing cash (including subventions and investments), handling petty cash, daily banking, bank reconciliations, managing bank relationships
• Coordinating payroll activities including timesheets and payroll payments including statutory compliance
• Assisting with financial reports, expenditure management and support audit process and requirements.
• Managing the fixed assets register, attractive assets and inventory control
• Working with the Coordinator Campus Operations, liaise with external stakeholders, and support financial planning and operational activities.
• Delivering general administrative services, maintain records, provide basic ICT support & maintenance, and organize logistics for campus activities.
• Ensuring compliance with USP policies and procedures across all financial and administrative areas.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives and customer service excellence.

The Person we Seek

To be considered for this position, applicants must have:

We will consider applicants with the following qualification and essential experience:

(i) A degree with two years subsequent relevant experience; or

(ii) In exceptional cases and only with the prior endorsement of the Executive Director People and Workforce Strategy and upon approval from the Vice Chancellor and President, a Diploma with four (4) years of relevant experience in technical or administrative fields may be considered; or

(iii) An equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

(iv) Demonstrated financial management skills, including reconciliations, reporting, and processing payments

(v) Sound knowledge of procurement processes, policies, and expenditure controls

(vi) Experience in payroll administration and compliance with statutory and financial regulations

(vii) Proficiency in financial systems (e.g. MYOB, Banner) and budget monitoring processes

(viii) Understanding of internal controls, risk management, and audit requirements

(ix) Ability to supervise staff Working knowledge of MS Office applications

Desirable:

It would be desirable if s/he had some experience in ICT Support and/or working in a medium to large organization.

Enquiries and further information: E: myhr@usp.ac.fj, P: (+679) 3231000
The position is available for a term of three years renewable.

Salary Range

• Grade 6: NZD38,450.78 per annum to NZD42,662.85 per annum.