Data Management Officer

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Data Management Officer within its Statistics for Development Division. This position will be located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Statistics for Development Division (SDD) is based in SPC’s headquarter in Noumea, New Caledonia. The division employs approximately 20 staff all of whom are all based in Noumea. SDD’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) national statistical systems by providing technical support through coordination with technical partners and donors. As part of SDD’s role and functions, it has adopted a regional statistical system leadership and coordination role as well as strengthening its technical assistance and support to data collection, analysis and dissemination. This direction has been implemented as part of the Ten-Year Pacific Statistics Strategy (TYPSS) 2011-2020 and this role is a key position in driving these developments forward in respect to data analysis and statistical capacity development in the region.

The role – the Data Management Officer will support daily operations of PDH.STAT, the online statistical database of the Pacific Data Hub, managed by the Statistics for Development Division (SDD) of the Pacific Community. The position will be responsible for preparing and uploading data to the database, supporting internal and external data providers, setting-up new data products, assessing data quality and monitoring the platform.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Keeping PDH.STAT statistical database up to date and improving the quality of statistics

• A data update calendar is kept up to date indicating for each dataset on PDH.STAT a series of information.

• Periodic data harvesting processes to collect data from external parties are executed in a timely manner.

• Punctual data update requests are treated in a timely manner.

• Data quality issues reported by users are reported to data owners and if possible solved in collaboration with them.

• An overall quality assessment is run annually.

Expanding the content of the database and supporting standardisation of statistical dissemination

• Data requirements and data gaps signalled by users are recorded in a systematic way.

• New tables are prepared in the database using existing templates and tools. This includes modelling statistical tables using standard concepts and code lists, prototyping new statistical tables in the internal version of the database, adjusting and validating the new tables with the data owners, and releasing the new data on the public version of PDH.STAT.

• Data providers are invited to format their data according to defined standards and to use templates to update their data in PDH.STAT.

• Data upload templates are prepared and configured for data providers upon request.

Monitoring and testing the platform

• The monitoring dashboard is checked daily and punctual issues or anormal trends are reported.

• Bugs and feature requests reported by users are recorded in a systematic way and discussed before being channelled back to the maintainers of the .STAT Suite software platform.

• New versions of the application platform are tested in preparation of their release.

Contributing to effective SDD team environment and SPC corporate activities

• Work program contributing to SDD priorities is established and delivered within budget in close collaboration with SDD management and other SDD specialists and staff.

• Active participation in team meetings and positive contributions made to regional meetings.

Contributing to SDD system leader function/external stakeholder engagement, partnership, and collaboration

• Close technical collaboration is maintained with colleagues from SDD and other SPC divisions and programmes.

• SDD and region are professionally represented in international technical working groups and events.

• Technical collaboration is fostered and maintained with key technical partners.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• A master’s degree in statistics, economics, computer science or a related field.

2. Technical expertise

• 3-5 years of relevant practical experience in a data-intensive work environment.

• Experience in data modelling, data preparation and data quality assessment.

• Knowledge of one or more data management software (e.g. Python).

• Capacity to learn continuously.

3. Language skills

• Fluency in English.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and awareness, and the ability to effectively work with stakeholders and team members from different cultural backgrounds.

• Strong understanding and appreciation of Pacific culture and ways of operating.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until the 31^st of December 2022.

Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.

Remuneration – the Data Management Officer is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,140-3,829 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 449,687-548,326 (USD 4,491-5,476; EUR 3,768-4,595). 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. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Airfares, medical and life insurance are available for eligible employees. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave per year of contract and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

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

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.