Finance Officer — Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project

Request for Expressions of Interest (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES) Finance Officer Item Details Project Name Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project Project Number and Website P502591 https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P502591 Activity and Reference Number (STEP) Finance Officer: FJ-PIFS-575741-CS-INDV Implementing Agency Names Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Country FIJI The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and eight Pacific Island member countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) have received financing (grants and credits) from the World Bank Group's International Development Association (IDA) towards the Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project (the Project) and will apply part of these proceeds to the contract below for Consulting Services. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) is seeking a qualified and experienced national Finance Officer (FO) to support the financial management and administration of the Project, including financial reporting, budget monitoring, maintenance of financial records, and compliance with World Bank and PIFS requirements. The Finance Officer will report to the Project Coordinator and will work closely with the Financial Management Specialist on a daily basis and with other PIFS staff, as relevant. This is a full-time work assignment at the PMU housed within the PIFS office in Suva. In line with the project timeline, the engagement will initially be for two (2) years with an extension of a further two years (based on consultant's performance evaluations and project needs) thereafter, until 2030. Under the overall direction of the Project Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Financial Management Specialist, the Finance Officer will support the financial management and administration of the Project, including: Processing and recording financial transactions. Maintaining financial records and supporting documentation. Monitoring project budgets and expenditures. Supporting the preparation of financial reports, withdrawal applications, and other financial documentation. Coordinating project payments and maintaining financial registers. Supporting audits, reconciliations, and compliance activities. Maintaining project financial filing systems. Providing financial and administrative support to project activities, workshops, meetings, and missions. Undertaking other finance-related duties as assigned. Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Mandatory Criteria Mandatory Criteria Description Education A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a related field from a recognized institution. Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, bookkeeping, financial administration, or financial management, including experience supporting donor-funded, government-funded, regional, or development partner-funded projects. Eligibility to Work in Fiji The applicant must have the legal right to live and work in Fiji at the time of application and throughout the duration of the assignment. Applicants should clearly state their citizenship, residency, or work authorization status in their application. Evaluated Criteria Evaluated Criteria Points Experience supporting financial management of donor-funded or development projects, including preparation of financial reports and supporting documentation. 35 Demonstrated experience using accounting software such as MYOB, QuickBooks, Sage, Peachtree, or similar financial management systems. 25 Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting. 20 Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews, and maintenance of financial records and registers. 10 Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams and manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail. 10 Total 100 Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), on behalf of the participating member countries, now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (attach curriculum vitae and a cover letter with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc.). Firms' staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process. The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, dated September 2025 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached and provides details of the scope of services required along with the expected deliverables. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09.00 to 17.00 hrs Fiji Time. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, by mail, or by e-mail) no later than Monday, 23 November 2026, 17:00 hrs (Fiji Time). Address for Enquiries and Submission of EOIs Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Attn: Deepak Naicker, Procurement Officer Private Mail Bag, Suva PO Box 856, Suva, Fiji Tel: 679-3312600 E-mail: cbrprocurement@forumsec.org For escalation matters only: Ajay Jagannath, Project Coordinator E-mail: ajayj@forumsec.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TERMS OF REFERENCE CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION FINANCE OFFICER Project Overview Project Name Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project Activity Reference Number (STEP) FJ-PIFS-575741-CS-INDV Position Title Finance Officer Location of Role The position will be based at the Project PMU Office in PIFS, Suva, Fiji with possible travel to participating countries. Eligibility Must have the legal right to live and work in Fiji Implementing Agency Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) https://forumsec.org Duration of Assignment An initial two-year contract, with the possibility of a further two-year extension based on satisfactory performance, or until the Project's closing date of August 2030, whichever is earlier. Agency Description The Pacific Islands Forum was established to bring together the region to address pressing issues and challenges, and foster collaboration and cooperation in the pursuit of shared goals. PIF’s mandate is to strengthen cooperation and integration in the Pacific region through the pooling of regional governance, resources and the alignment of policies, furthering Forum members' shared goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security. Founded in 1971, it comprises 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The PIFS is a vital platform for Leaders to convene, engage in discussions and agree on policies that will benefit the people of the region. Participating Countries The Pacific Island Countries (PICs) participating in the regional project comprise Fiji, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Overall Project Objective The Project Development Objective is to enable continuous access to correspondent banking services in the participating Pacific Island Countries. Project Length August 2024 to September 2030 Project Background The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has received financing from the World Bank Group's International Development Association (IDA) and will act as the Implementing Agency for the regional Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project (the Project), which will enable continuous access to correspondent banking services in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). The PICs covered by the regional project include Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Financial systems in PICs are characterized by low levels of financial access and uneven development of national payment systems. Commercial banks dominate the financial sector in all PICs. In several countries, significant portions of the population lack access to basic transaction accounts, limiting their ability to participate in economic activity and access financial services. Correspondent Banking Relationships (CBRs) underpin international trade, tourism, remittances, and humanitarian financial flows. The withdrawal of these relationships presents significant risks to economic development and financial inclusion across the Pacific region. To address these challenges, the World Bank is providing funding to PIFS to implement the Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project. The Project includes two components: (i) Temporary Correspondent Banking Services and (ii) Enabling Environment and Regulatory Harmonization. The Project is being implemented by a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) within PIFS. PIFS seeks to recruit a qualified and experienced Finance Officer to support project financial management and administration functions within the PMU. The selection will be undertaken in accordance with the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and applicable project procedures. 2. Objective of the Position The main objective of the Finance Officer is to support the Financial Management Specialist in ensuring sound financial management of the Project through the accurate and timely processing of financial transactions, maintenance of financial records, preparation of financial reports, and compliance with World Bank requirements, PIFS policies, and applicable statutory regulations. Scope of Services Under the overall direction of the Project Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Financial Management Specialist, the Finance Officer shall undertake the following activities: i. Process and record financial transactions in accordance with project systems, procedures, and approved controls; ii. Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records, including invoices, receipts, payment vouchers, statements, and supporting documentation; iii. Assist in monitoring project budgets and expenditures and support budget tracking activities; iv. Assist with maintaining and updating project registers including Contracts, Leave, Assets, Withdrawal Applications, and other financial records; v. Support the preparation of Interim Financial Reports (IFRs), Statements of Expenditure (SOEs), withdrawal applications, donor reports, and other financial reports as required; vi. Coordinate project-related payments in accordance with PIFS financial procedures and World Bank requirements; vii. Ensure financial transactions comply with project internal controls, donor requirements, and applicable financial regulations; viii. Support project audits by preparing schedules, retrieving supporting documentation, and responding to audit queries; ix. Assist with monthly account reconciliations and financial record verification processes; x. Maintain organized filing systems for financial records in both electronic and hard-copy formats; xi. Assist in monitoring consultant and supplier payments and contract financial obligations; xii. Contribute to continuous improvement of financial management systems, procedures, and controls within the Project Management Unit; xiii. Provide administrative and financial support to project activities, workshops, meetings, and missions as required; xiv. Undertake any other finance-related duties assigned by the Financial Management Specialist or Project Coordinator. 3. Specific Contract Deliverables The Finance Officer will be on probation for the first six months of the assignment. A performance evaluation will be undertaken against the deliverables listed below. Additional deliverables may be agreed with the Project Coordinator and Financial Management Specialist. Key Deliverables Performance Indicator Timing Process project financial transactions accurately and on time Payments processed within agreed timelines with complete documentation Ongoing Maintain complete and accurate financial records Financial records are current, auditable, and compliant Ongoing Maintain project financial registers Registers are complete, updated, and readily accessible Ongoing Support preparation of financial reports and withdrawal applications Reports submitted accurately and within required deadlines As Required Support project audits and compliance reviews Audit requirements responded to promptly with minimal findings As Required Assist with budget monitoring and expenditure tracking Accurate expenditure monitoring reports available for management use Monthly 4. Reporting Obligations The Finance Officer will work closely with the Financial Management Specialist on a daily basis and collaborate with other PIFS staff and project stakeholders as required. The Finance Officer will report directly to the Project Coordinator. 5. Institutional Arrangements This is a full-time work assignment within the Project Management Unit housed at PIFS in Suva, Fiji. The engagement will initially be for two (2) years with the possibility of extension for a further two years subject to satisfactory performance and project requirements, or until the Project's closing date of August 2030, whichever is earlier. Office facilities, including workspace, computer equipment, internet access, printing facilities, and stationery, will be provided by the Project. 6. Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest The Finance Officer shall comply with PIFS and World Bank policies relating to anti-corruption, fraud prevention, confidentiality, and conflict of interest. The Finance Officer shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information obtained during the assignment and shall not disclose, publish, or otherwise use such information without prior written approval from PIFS. A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will be executed between PIFS and the selected candidate and attached to the contract. 7. Evaluation Requirements Mandatory Criteria Mandatory Criteria Description Evaluation Education A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a related field from a recognized institution. Pass or Fail Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, bookkeeping, financial administration, or financial management, including experience supporting donor-funded, regional, government, or development partner-funded projects. Demonstrated experience in financial reporting, budget monitoring, financial analysis, and compliance with funding and organizational requirements is required. Pass or Fail Scoring Criteria Criteria Evaluated Criteria Points 1 Experience supporting financial management of donor-funded or development projects, including preparation of financial reports and supporting documentation. 35 2 Demonstrated experience using accounting software such as MYOB, QuickBooks, Sage, Peachtree, or similar financial management systems. 25 3 Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting. 20 4 Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews, and maintenance of financial records and registers. 10 5 Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams and manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail. 10 Total 100 8. Selection Process Applicants will be assessed based on their Resume/Curriculum Vitae and any supporting documentation submitted. Applicants who do not meet the Mandatory Criteria will not be evaluated further. Applicants meeting the Mandatory Criteria will be scored against the Scoring Criteria outlined above. The Evaluation Committee reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates. A minimum of two professional references should be provided. The Project values diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, and the contribution of people from diverse cultural backgrounds and encourages suitably qualified candidates to apply.