Lead Application Developer

SPC invites applications for the position of Lead Application Developer in the Information and Communication Technology Section of its Operations and Management Directorate, 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 fisheries, agriculture, forestry, water resources, geoscience, transport, energy, disaster risk management, public health, statistics, education, 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 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 Operations and Management Directorate employs approximately 140 staff based in Noumea, New Caledonia; Suva, Fiji; Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia; and Honiara, Solomon Islands. The directorate comprises administration, finance, human resources, information technology, library, publications, and translation and interpretation.

The Information and Communication Technology Section is led by the Manager ICT and managed from SPC headquarters in Noumea. The section comprises 15 staff, located across offices in Noumea, Suva, Fiji and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.

The role – This new role of Lead Application Developer is based in Suva, Fiji and reports to the Systems Developer/Analyst based in Noumea, New Caledonia. The role is responsible for providing technological evolution and improvement of core SPC-wide applications, with a primary focus on the corporate monitoring, evaluation and reporting system led by SPC’s Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility. The role will also provide technical advice, project management analysis, development and support, and will contribute to other technical aspects of ICT activities. The appointment is for two years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.

The profile – SPC seeks a qualified IT professional with extensive experience as a software/application developer/analyst and programmer in client-server environments. He/she will have strong project management skills, a track record in implementing, monitoring and reporting application systems and providing user training and support.  Attributes will include a strong customer and solutions focus, and the ability to communicate effectively in a bilingual and culturally diverse environment and work across the organisation and with stakeholders.

Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate expertise and experience in the following three key result areas:

1. Technical advice and support – Analyse and interpret user requirements, in particular database and programming needs for existing and potentially new value adding applications, with a primary focus on the corporate monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system, with the Strategic Engagement Policy and Planning Facility as its core client. Contribute to work on SPC-wide applications (HR Information System, Finance, Payroll), ensuring all system upgrades are implemented as scheduled with proper requirements, design and training documents completed and software implementation and operation aligned to SPC strategic plan and end-user requirements. Assist in running the corporate ICT Helpdesk with prompt, high quality support.

2. Address user needs – Review, analyse and document priority business requirements identified by SPC staff, business users and other key stakeholders. Provide timely and appropriate recommendations and/or solutions with the cost and benefits of each option. Collaborate with senior ICT staff to ensure that plans and identified solutions meet needs and expectations. Participate in the development and use of endorsed SPC project guidelines and standards, and apply these techniques to manage, implement and deploy approved ICT infrastructure projects. Provide support of ICT to SPC member countries and alliance partners.

3. Capacity building – Prepare, design, organise and coordinate training for corporate applications and other systems to enhance the knowledge and efficiency of SPC staff, registered network users and authorised guests through the proper use of installed application systems.

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

1. Results-oriented problem solving – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
2. Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new ideas/opportunities, develop policy advice based on sound analysis, and support original solutions.
3. Influencing and relationship building skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve organisational goals. Demonstrate strong negotiation, communication and advocacy skills and excellent interpersonal skills. Contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with stakeholders.
4. Qualifications – Tertiary qualification in computer science or related discipline; or equivalent relevant work experience.
5. Technical expertise – Demonstrated experience as a software/application developer/analyst with a proven track record of programming in client-server environments (preferably Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and, later, SQL, C#, Visual Basic, Access, MySQL, Microsoft .Net technologies). Experience producing system and user manual documentation for deployed applications and in the provision of user training and support, particularly for deployed applications. Extensive experience in technical project management and the successful implementation of medium to large monitoring and reporting application systems. Experience with MS Project Server, SharePoint 2010 or 2013, SQL report building, financial management and HR applications (preferably Microsoft Dynamics NAV) and the use of Microsoft Office products. Sound verbal and written communication skills in English. Experience in (a) the installation, implementation and programming of Microsoft Dynamics NAV and applications such as HR and Payroll; (b) accounting and business procedures; and (c) the Internet and associated technologies would be advantages.
6. Language skills – Proficient in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
7. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

Remuneration – The Lead Application Developer is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2013 salary scale, with a salary range of 2,666–3,998 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,300–10,960 (USD 3,800–5,800; EUR 3,000–4,400). 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. Progress in 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 allowance 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).

Work environment – SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office. Smoking is not permitted in the work place.

Equal opportunity – SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Islanders.

Application procedure – The closing date for applications is 22 July 2013. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses and telephone numbers, for three referees.

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 it later. Can’t access the online recruitment system? Apply via email: recruit@spc.int; fax: + 687 26 38 18; or post to Sally Clark Herrmann, HR Adviser (Recruitment and Training), Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia. Need assistance? Contact SPC at recruit@spc.int or telephone + 687 26 20 00.

Background – SPC was established in 1947 and employs over 570 staff. Its headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia, with other 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 the United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners are 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.

Languages: SPC’s working languages are English and French.