Educational Assessment Officers (L&N Project)
Educational Assessment Officers
SPC invites applications for the positions of Educational Assessment Officer in the Secretariat of the Pacific Board for Educational Assessment (SPBEA) Programme, located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.
SPC is the Pacific Island region’s principal technical and scientific organisation. It delivers technical, scientific, research, policy and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories in public health, geoscience, agriculture, forestry, water resources, disaster management, fisheries, education (community, TVET, standards and assessment), statistics, transport, energy, ICT, media, human rights, gender, youth and culture. SPC was established as an international organisation in 1947 and its working languages are English and French. Additional information is available at: www.spc.int.
In applying, candidates should be guided by SPC’s vision, mission and corporate values, the role and profile of the position and the key result areas and selection criteria.
SPC’s vision for the region is a secure and prosperous Pacific Community, whose people are educated and healthy and manage their resources in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way.
Our mission is to help Pacific Island people position themselves to respond effectively to the challenges they face and make informed decisions about their future and the future they will leave for the generations that follow.
Our corporate values are underpinned by the principle of ‘making a positive difference in the lives of Pacific Island people – putting people first’. They include accountability, integrity, respect, transparency, sustainability, people-centredness, gender equality and cultural sensitivity.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Board for Educational Assessment (SPBEA) is based in Suva, Fiji and provides technical support for educational assessment. It has 35 staff, including 15 internationally recruited and 20 locally recruited staff. It is currently responsible for managing three AusAID-funded projects: Pacific Benchmarking for Education Results (PaBER) Program, the Pacific Register of Qualifications and Standards Project and the Improving the Assessment of Literacy and Numeracy across the Pacific (L&N Project).
L&N Project – The first phase of the project began in November 2010. The second phase, which began on 2 July, will build on the initial objectives and achievements in strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of SPBEA to meet increasing service demands, particularly for the delivery of national assessments of literacy and numeracy at years 2, 4, 6 and 8, and an expanding regional workload. Project activities will support (i) curriculum development and assessment units in the region undertaking literacy and numeracy assessments at years 2, 4, 6 and 8; (ii) the design and conduct of a third round of national monitoring of literacy and numeracy at years 4 and 6, and possibly year 8, for five countries in the region; (iii) the first administration of year 2 assessments, to be conducted in a minimum of four countries; (iv) implementation of intervention strategies based on assessment information; (v) analysis, reporting and dissemination of assessment results to policy makers; (vi) expanded use of ICT technology by SPBEA to assist the delivery of comprehensive and timely services to countries; and (vii) conduct, analysis and reporting of Pacific Island Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA).
The role – Educational Assessment Officers (L&N Project) are accountable to the Director of SPBEA and are responsible for supporting assessment activities, building internal assessment capacity, and enhancing the development, implementation and reporting of national literacy and numeracy assessment at years 2, 4, 6 and 8 in several Pacific Island countries. The appointments are to 31 December 2013, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
The profile – SPC seeks education specialists with teacher training and postgraduate qualifications in educational assessment. They will have substantial teaching expertise in literacy and numeracy training and educational assessment techniques, and a track record in the provision of user training and support. Attributes will include strong communication and presentation skills in English and the ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse regional stakeholders.
Key result areas – The successful applicants must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress in the following four key result areas:
- Literacy and numeracy assessment – Review current literacy and numeracy work at years 2, 4, 6 and 8; design, develop and support the construction of assessment instruments to produce reliable and valid data on student literacy and numeracy standards; monitor country implementation of literacy and numeracy assessment instruments and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Capacity building and research – Provide training and support to technical staff internally and in Pacific Island countries in the principles and application of instruments used for literacy and numeracy assessment; analysis and interpretation of assessment results; adapting and using customised software that supports literacy and numeracy assessment; design and development of intervention strategies to improve skill levels; and development of a training manual. Design, develop and implement systematic action research that supports literacy and numeracy assessment; support technical counterparts in developing research knowledge and skills; and monitor standards of learning and teaching in literacy and numeracy in member countries and territories through data capture and analysis.
- Reporting – Provide timely reports on the instruments, results and standards of literacy and numeracy assessments and intervention strategies in all member countries, counterpart training strategies, and the effective use of literacy and numeracy assessment instruments.
- Teaching and learning interventions – Design and develop literacy and numeracy measurement and intervention activities that facilitate teaching and learning; provide timely and efficient support to counterparts and Pacific Island country curriculum officers in the development of interventions in teaching and learning; and support work with country panels on the Assessment Resource Tool for Teaching and Learning of Literacy and Numeracy in early grade years.
Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following seven criteria:
- Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new approaches; develop and support original solutions based on sound analysis.
- Results oriented problem solver – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for project stakeholders.
- Influencing and relationship building skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals; demonstrate strong communication, and interpersonal skills; contribute to building productive team relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
- Qualifications – Degree in a core teaching subject such as English or mathematics, professional teacher training and a postgraduate degree in educational assessment, with a doctorate in education being an advantage.
- Technical expertise – Substantial teaching experience and expertise in literacy and numeracy training in the early grade years; strong computer skills and a track record in the provision of user training and support for literacy and numeracy; solid communication and presentation skills in English; a customer and results focus; and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects effectively. Experience in producing user manuals and system documentation for deployed applications, and working in the Pacific are advantages.
- Language skills – Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
- Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, particularly Pacific Island countries and territories.
Remuneration – Educational Assessment Officers are Band 10 positions within SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 2,133–3,200 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currentlyconverts to approximately FJD 5,800–8,700 (USD 3,200–4,900; € 2,500–3,800). 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 will be based on annual performance reviews. While SPC remuneration is not subject to income tax in Fiji at the present time, this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji. Any change in this status will apply to Fiji nationals.
Benefits – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170–2,625 per month. An establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants. Employees are entitled to 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; life insurance; and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Application procedure – The closing date for applications is Monday 5 November 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the seven key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses, for three referees.
Appointment – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Staff appointments are based on merit, without restriction as to nationality. Preference is given to Pacific Islanders, given equal merit, qualifications and experience.
Important note: Prepare and save your curriculum vitae, response to key selection criteria and referee information as Microsoft Word documents BEFORE attempting to submit your application online. It is not possible to partially complete your application via the online system, save it and return to complete later.
Can’t access the online recruitment system? Apply via email: recruit@spc.int; fax: +687 26 38 18 or post: Sally Clark Herrmann, Recruitment and Staff Development Officer, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia.
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