Educational Assessment Specialists, PaBER Program
Description | |
| Educational Assessment Specialists, PaBER Program
SPC invites applications for the positions of Education Assessment Specialist 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).
PaBER Program – The aim of this pilot program is to improve the literacy and numeracy levels of children in the Pacific region. It will begin a process, starting with three pilot countries, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, aimed at equipping policy makers in Pacific countries with the knowledge needed to implement interventions that will benefit learning outcomes throughout the Pacific Islands region. PaBER will provide Pacific education ministries with a systematic and reliable means of determining from their own education systems and those of their neighbouring countries which policies, processes and activities have a positive impact on the quality of children’s education and learning outcomes. The intended outcomes of the project are to ensure that pilot countries are in a better position to plan and implement interventions that will improve learning through: (i) analyzing the literacy and numeracy performance of Year 6 students and using the information to inform policy development for improving children’s learning outcomes; (ii) establishing national baselines that will be benchmarked against established and published regional and international norms to identify areas for improvement; and (iii) providing valid and reliable evidence that will inform policy reform as well as education system-wide changes to enhance scholastic performance. In seeking to achieve these outcomes, the pilot program will help strengthen country education systems and build technical capacity at both regional and country levels.
The role – The Educational Assessment Specialists are responsible to the PaBER Coordinator and Director of SPBEA, in the capacity as PaBER Program Director for the provision of professional support and technical assistance in coordinating the PaBER Implementation Plan as directed by the PaBER Steering Committee. They will assist with the development, adaptation, analysis and reporting of the PILNA and SABER regional tools for the assessment of literacy and numeracy for use in pilot countries. They will also provide support to pilot country participants on the scope and context of qualitative and quantitative policy research, and advice and assistance on technical aspects of program implementation. The appointments are to 30 June 2015, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
The profile – SPC seeks educational assessment specialists with teacher training and postgraduate qualifications in educational assessment. They will have substantial teaching experience and expertise in assessment of literacy and numeracy and educational assessment 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 applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress in the following four key result areas:
1. Provide technical advice and support – Assist the PaBER Coordinator and Director of SPBEA in coordinating the program implementation plan; conduct assessment of literacy and numeracy standards at Year 6 level in pilot countries; assist in overseeing marking and data entry of assessment results from the PILNA administration; monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the literacy assessment process; report on literacy and numeracy assessment instruments, and results and standards; analyze, interpret and report on national and regional standards for Year 6 level literacy and numeracy in pilot countries; participate in SABER implementation and analysis; participate in ‘policy in practice’ initiatives and the identification and implementation of intervention opportunities derived from program activities; and provide support on the scope and context of qualitative and quantitative policy research.
2. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships– Maintain strong collaborative working relationships with assessment and IT staff within SPBEA; develop and maintain relationships with program partners and donor agencies and strong links with pilot countries to ensure timely and effective provision of program deliverables.
3. Capacity building – Provide integrated support to pilot countries and other relevant member countries and territories to build regional capacity to improve educational outcomes for children.
Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following seven criteria:
Remuneration –Educational Assessment Specialists 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 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 Wednesday 7 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.
BACKGROUND – SPC employs over 570 staff and is headquartered in Noumea, New Caledonia, with offices in Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. SPC has 26 member countries and territories including 22 Pacific Island countries and territories and its founding members Australia, France, New Zealand and United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners include the European Union, Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, United Nations agencies, Asian Development Bank, World Bank and Global Environment Facility, to name a few.
SPC is led by the Director-General supported by two deputy directors-general and the directors of its technical divisions – Applied Geoscience and Technology; Economic Development; Education, Training and Human Development; Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems; Land Resources; and Public Health. SPC also has a statistical programme, a strategic engagement, policy and planning facility and an operations and management division.
|
Post a Comment