PaBER Program Coordinator
SPC invites applications for the position of PaBER Coordinator 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: the 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 program 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 perfomance. 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 PaBER Coordinator is accountable to the Director of SPBEA in the role of PaBER Program Director and is responsible for leading the coordination of the multi-country AusAID funded PaBER Pilot Program. The appointment is until 30 June 2015, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
The profile – SPC seeks an experienced leader in education with a track record in the design and development of large-scale educational assessments for government departments or complex organisations with broad stakeholder interests. He/she will have an understanding of best practice in educational monitoring and assessment programs; strong strategic planning and project management skills; and experience in coordinating regional activities. Attributes will include excellent 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. Program and strategic management – Develop and operationalise the program implementation plan as directed by the Steering Committee, on time and within budget to achieve pilot outcomes; develop, administer, analyse and report on the PILNA regional tool for the assessment of literacy and numeracy for use in pilot countries; develop, adapt, analyse and report on SABER tools for policy analysis; provide advice and support to participants on qualitative and quantitative policy research and on professional and technical aspects of program implementation.
2. Capacity building – Provide integrated support to pilot participants and other member countries and territories to build regional capacity to improve educational outcomes for children.
3. Monitoring, analysis and reporting – Provide regular program updates and reports to the Head of SPBEA, the Steering Committee and donor agencies on progress against the program implementation plan to meet specified reporting requirements.
4. Develop and maintain relationships with clients and diverse stakeholders – Maintain strong collaborative working relationships with staff across SPC; develop and maintain relationships with program partners and donor agencies and strong links with member countries and territories to ensure the timely and effective provision of program deliverables.
Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following eight criteria:
- Project management – Demonstrated ability to motivate others and coordinate and lead collaborative activities in a complex regional environment.
- 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. Influencing and relationship building skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals; demonstrate strong communication, advocacy and interpersonal skills; contribute to building productive team relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
- Qualifications – Postgraduate degree in educational assessment, with a doctorate in education being an advantage.
- Technical expertise – A track record in the design and development of large-scale educational assessments for government departments or complex organisations with broad stakeholder interests; an understanding of best practice in educational monitoring and assessment programs; strong strategic planning and project management skills; experience in coordinating regional activities; demonstrated understanding and experience in capacity development approaches, including professional development, mentoring, participatory training and facilitation, preferably in educational assessment; ability to work effectively with senior managers and officials to deliver coordinated team results; and strong communication and presentation skills in English. Demonstrated experience in producing user manuals and system documentation for deployed applications and working in the Pacific is an advantage.
- 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 being an advantage.
Remuneration – The PaBER Coordinator is a Band 13 position within SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range of 3,370–5,055 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,200–13,800 (USD 5,170–7,750; € 4,000–6,000). 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 Friday 9 November 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the eight 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.
Post a Comment