Finance Officer

Job No: FedCourt182

Location: Sydney, NSW or Brisbane, QLD

Closing Date: 29 Mar 2019 AEST

Section: International Programs
Classification: Australian Public Service Level 5 (APS 5)
Salary: $71,152 - $75,445 per annum, plus superannuation
Job Type: Non-ongoing, full-time for a period of up to 2 years subject to funding approval.
Location: Sydney, NSW or Brisbane, QLD
Reports to: Director, International Programs & PJSI Team Leader

Overview of Agency
The Federal Court of Australia (the Entity) is a non-Corporate listed entity for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and a statutory agency for the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999. The Entity supports the operations of the Federal Court of Australia (FCA), Family Court of Australia (FCoA), the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (FCC) and the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT). The FCA, FCoA and FCC are Chapter III Courts under the Australian Constitution and continue to operate as individual judicial jurisdictions.

Jurisdiction
The Federal Court of Australia was created by the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) as a superior court of record and a court of law and equity. Its overarching goal is to contribute to the social and economic development and wellbeing of all Australians by applying and upholding the rule of law. It sits in all capital cities and elsewhere in Australia when necessary. The Court has jurisdiction in relation to almost all civil matters and some summary and indictable criminal matters arising under Australian federal law. The Court is able to hear cases in relation to admiralty, bankruptcy, competition, consumer protection, corporations, fair work, human rights, intellectual property and native title. It also has the power to review some Federal Government decisions in areas such as social security, immigration and taxation.

Position Overview
The Federal Court of Australia is globally recognised as an exemplar of judicial development with an uncompromising commitment to the quality of its services. The Court has close relationships with judges and courts around the world, particularly across Asia and the Pacific. Since its establishment in 1977 the Court has played a significant role in the provision of assistance to over 40 countries. Its strong collaborative links and unparalleled access to networks and individuals around the world provide invaluable resources in the delivery of high quality professional development and capacity building support to partner judiciaries in both bilateral and multilateral contexts. Subject to funding approval, the Court seeks a Finance Officer to support the various projects in its International Programmes Unit, with principal responsibility for all financial aspects of the Pacific Judicial Strengthening Initiative (PJSI).

Major Activities

• Manage and monitor complex budgets and expenditure.
• Provide accurate and comprehensive monthly, periodic and exception financial reports, including expenditure and variances.
• Periodically, prepare accurate budget forecasts.
• Develop and oversight the International Programs Unit and PJSI’s operating budget, activity and project budgets.
• Work closely with Project Officers and Volunteers to support and monitor all finance-related activities, including requisitions, data entry, and activity budgeting.
• Follow the Court’s financial procedures, including for procurement and use of financial templates.
• Ensure all costs accord with approved budgets, applicable rates and represent value for money.
• Liaise with other Court and team personnel to operate and maintain accounts, including partner courts in other countries.
• Track, collate and develop all invoices for internal/external submission/acquittals as required.
• Support the Court’s finance team to manage and process payments efficiently and effectively.
• Obtain quotes, make payments including international transfers, and acquit expenses.
• Establish and maintain an asset register.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date and accessible records of all quotations, invoices, completed financial templates and other financial documentation and information for auditing purposes. 
• Any other tasks required to support the activities and projects of the International Programs Unit.

Key Relationships
Judicial and court officers within the Federal Court, other Australian courts, and partner courts in other countries, and the International Programs team.

Competencies & Attributes

1. At least 3-5 years’ experience developing, administering, managing and reporting on complex budgets for international development projects.
2. Demonstrated experience complying with financial requirements associated with donor-funded international development projects.
3. Following procurement rules, including seeking/analysing quotes, calculating and making payments.
4. Effective time management to meet numerous concurrent deadlines.
5. Ability to follow procedural guidelines while demonstrating initiative and innovative thinking in identifying risks and solving problems.
6. Ability to work collaboratively, as well as with minimal supervision.
7. Proficient in using technology to perform functions and maximise reach/efficiency of activities, including Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
8. High level of professionalism, integrity, attention to detail and flexibility in a dynamic environment of changing and competing priorities.

Formal Qualifications
Formal qualifications / demonstrated experience in accounting and/or financial management; experience in international development financial management highly desirable.

Special Requirements
Flexibility to work irregular hours if required to meet peak work demands.

Selection Criteria

1. Prior experience administering budgets for international development projects.
2. Competence in managing multi-year project budgets, including developing and regularly reporting on expenditure projections.
3. Demonstrated diligence in financial reporting to diverse stakeholders including management, peers, external clients, and addressing queries with close scrutiny, accuracy and attention to detail.
4. Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrated experience in facilitating effective communication and working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders from different cultural backgrounds.
5. Ability to use technology to perform the role and to maximise reach/efficiency of projects; and
6. Demonstrated ability to manage and deliver on multiple competing deadlines.

Eligibility
Employment with the Federal Court of Australia is subject to the requirement of the Public Service Act 1999. The following requirements also apply:

• Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must be an Australian citizenship, unless the Chief Operating Officer waives that requirement.
• National Police Check – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check, and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
• Health clearance – the successful applicant must be fit for duties and will be required to complete a health declaration and may be required to attend a medical assessment to confirm their fitness for duty.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an Australian Public Service agency are welcome to apply, but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired, unless the Public Service Commissioner agrees.

How to Apply
To be considered you will need to upload a comprehensive statement of claims against the selection criteria (maximum 2 pages / 1000 words) and attach an up to date resume (maximum 2 pages / 1000 words) by 11:55pm AEDT on 28 March 2019.
For more information contact Nicole Cherry, Project Manager, International Programs by email: Nicole.Cherry@fedcourt.gov.au

Please note once you submit your application you will not be able to edit it.