Development Indicator Officer

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Development Indicator Officer. 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 gender and human rights statistics in the region.

The role – the Development Indicator Officer will seek at further developing and maintaining annual statistical country development indicators (snapshots) for the twelve Pacific Island Countries with which New Zealand has a bilateral aid and foreign policy partnership, plus the three North Pacific Countries of Palau, FSM and Marshall Islands. The position will also undertake analysis and support the dissemination of these data and explore new information sources to support understanding of progress in these countries. She/he will contribute to building the Pacific Data Hub indicator database (PDH.stat).

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Updating development indicators and maintaining/improving data collection processes

• Setup and maintenance of indicator production process in close collaboration with SDD Statistics Advisor (Data Systems).
• Identify and regularly check/validate snapshot related indicators currently contained in the PDH.stat indicator database.
• Ensure indicators automatically extracted from international indicator databases (WB, WBWDI, ADBKI, UIS) are correct and consistent with country data and that indicators extracted from semi-structured forms on the Web have data harvesting processes in place and data is regularly validated.
• Manually extract country-specific indicators which are not available through structured and semi-structured online databases.
• Establish good networks with members, SPC colleagues and development partners to ensure timely data is being acquired and indicators analysed appropriately.

2. Analysis and development of country profiles

• Describe development trajectory, and donor landscape/development finance flows in each country at a high level.
• Identify significant data/ knowledge gaps with respect to the thematic priorities.
• Analyze and interpret snapshot indicators using appropriate tools.
• Prepare country profiles (snapshot briefs) and peer-review with MFAT, SPC colleagues and development partners where necessary.

3. Reporting and communication/dissemination of country profiles

• Produce technical papers and regular media briefs.
• Disseminate country profiles (Snapshot briefs) and associated datasets flow to various channels.
• Establish compilation manual documenting sustainable system for biannual updating, document methodology and limitations.

4. Contributing to effective SDD team environment and SPC corporate activities

• Establish and deliver multi-year work program contributing to SDD/DADT priorities within budget in close collaboration with Manager, Data Analysis and Dissemination and other SDD specialists and staff.
• Participate in team meetings and make positive contributions to regional meetings and corporate events.

5. Contributing to SDD System Leader function/external stakeholder engagement, partnership and collaboration

• Maintain close technical collaboration with other SDD programme colleagues, notably on household and other surveys, Population and Housing Censuses, SDGs, CRVS, poverty statistics, DHS and MICS.
• Effective cross-programme collaboration and willingness to work with colleagues in other SPC programme divisions.
• SDD and the region are professionally represented in international technical working groups.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in statistics, economics, demography or a related discipline.

2. Technical expertise

• 7-8 years of relevant practical experience obtained in a National Statistical Office or a related agency at the national, regional or international level.
• Good understanding of Pacific statistics and issues.
• Demonstrated experience with the analysis and understanding of census, survey and administrative data.
• Good analytical skills and the understanding of the importance of statistics for policy development and planning.
• Previous work experience in a developing country environment, preferably in the Pacific Island region, with developing systems of statistical indicators.
• Good interpersonal skills, team player with ability to network and effectively work in a multicultural setting, and with other agencies in the region involved in statistical work.

3. Language skills

• Proven English language proficiency, and competence in writing and delivering technical reports and presentations.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Good interpersonal skills, team player with ability to network and effectively work in a multicultural setting, and with other agencies in the region involved in statistical work.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until the 31st of December 2022 and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

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 Development Indicator Officeris a band 10 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,490-4,267 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 499,822-610,995 (USD 4,991-6,101; EUR 4,189-5,120). 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 is based on annual performance reviews. 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 bilinguism, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.