Educational Assessment Specialist (Research) Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Educational Assessment Specialist (Research)
SPC invites applications for the position of Educational Assessment Specialist (Research) 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, quality and standards for all school levels), statistics, transport, energy, ICT, media, human rights, gender, youth and culture. For more information, visit 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: 15 internationally recruited and 20 locally recruited. 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).
The role – The Educational Assessment Specialist (Research) is accountable to the Director of SPBEA. The role is responsible for ensuring that the research and related activities outlined in the endorsed research plan for 2013-2015 are realised in a timely manner and that programme decisions are evidence based. The appointment is for three years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks an educational assessment specialist with teacher training and postgraduate qualifications in educational assessment and research. He/she will have teaching experience and a track record of conducting educational assessment research, data analysis and interpretation, and training. 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 two key result areas:

1. Research – Work closely with the Senior Educational Assessment Specialist in the management and administration of the research component of the programme. Encourage and support national research initiatives and undertake research using available qualifications data and coordinate professional research activities in member countries, liaising with client stakeholders. Provide reliable and valid information to management to determine the future directions of the programme. Provide research-based information to software developers to ensure effective knowledge management and technical support which is aligned to current research requirements. Analyse, interpret and report on regional and national standards for senior secondary qualifications and data from STALLIAN and TITAN. Provide support to countries in monitoring and evaluating standards of literacy, numeracy and life skills as well as teacher and principal standards at country level. Undertake collaborative research with countries engaged in the PaBER project.

2. Training and capacity building – Identify, coordinate and administer internal staff training in research. Support the Educational Assessment Officers in their provision of professional assessment services to member countries. Provide key research training to educational personnel in participant countries as per the annual programme work plan. Provide support and coordinate in-country research activities in educational assessment. Provide advice and follow-up intervention based on research findings.

Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following seven criteria:

1. Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new approaches; develop and support original solutions based on sound analysis.

2. Results oriented problem solver – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.

3. 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.

4. Qualifications – Teacher training and a postgraduate qualification in educational assessment research or measurement, with a master’s in education being an advantage.

5. Technical expertise – Substantial experience in educational assessment research. A sound knowledge and understanding of educational assessment research data analysis and interpretation. Strong computer skills and competence in the use of statistical and research software, and the ability to quickly master relevant new information technology. Experience in the provision of training and support, ideally in research. Solid communication and presentation skills in English. Experience in leading educational assessment at country level or examination Boards, and experience working in the Pacific would be advantages.

6. Language skills – Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

7. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, particularly of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.
Remuneration – The Educational Assessment Specialist (Research) is a Band 10 position within SPC’s 2013 salary scale, with a salary range of 2,221 – 3,331 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD6,000–9,000 (USD 3,400–5,100; € 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. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will, however, be subject to income tax.

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 Thursday 21 February, 2013. 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.

Apply online – Please use SPC’s online recruitment system at http://www.spc.int/job.html.

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, Human Resources Adviser (Recruitment and Training), Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia.

Need assistance? Contact Sally in confidence, at sallyh@spc.int or telephone +687 26 01 40.

BACKGROUND – Established in 1947, 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 its founding members, Australia, France, New Zealand and United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners are the European Union; the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; United Nations agencies, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility, to name a few. SPC’s working languages are English and French.

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, Public Health and Statistics. SPC also has a strategic engagement and planning facility and an operations and management division.