Pacific Community
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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The vision of the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) is to be ‘The agency for educational quality in the Pacific region’. Its mission is to enhance the quality of education and training for Pacific learners, so they realise the benefits of lifelong learning. EQAP seeks to promote the following core values within the context of SPC’s corporate values:
- a culture of quality;
- a culture of continuous improvement;
- cultural and political sensitivity;
- respect for the autonomy and priorities of the education system in each Pacific Island country and territory (PICTs); and
- assimilation of the expressed needs of countries in its delivery of technical services.
The Professional Officer (Qualification Recognition) will be responsible for coordinating the development and accreditation of regional qualifications in identified areas.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
Team Performance: Contribute effectively to the development, implementation and reporting of the workplan of the Unit
- Contribute to the development, implementation, review and reporting on the performance of the Qualifications Unit in implementing the EQAP Business Plan, and SPC’s overarching regional goals.
Development and Review of Qualifications Frameworks: Facilitate the review of qualifications frameworks to ensure their fitness for purpose
- Facilitate a review of the Pacific Qualifications Framework to ensure its fitness as a dual-purpose framework.
Development and Endorsement of Referencing Criteria and Guidelines – Develop and seek endorsement of the criteria and guidelines for referencing of qualifications frameworks
- Consult with stakeholders to seek feedback on the draft referencing criteria and guidelines.
Referencing of Qualifications Frameworks – Conduct a referencing of the Pacific Qualifications Framework with other national and regional qualifications frameworks
- Carry out a referencing of the Pacific Qualifications Framework with national qualifications frameworks.
Assessment of Foreign Qualifications – Assess and determine the comparability of foreign high school qualifications
- Establish and maintain networks with regional and international organisations to enable sharing of information about education systems.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- A postgraduate qualification in a teaching subject from a recognized university
- A qualification in workplace training and assessment
Knowledge and experience
- At least 7 years of experience with at least 3 years in teaching at secondary or tertiary level
- At least 2 years of experience in quality assurance and operations of quality assurance agencies
- Understanding of qualifications frameworks and how qualifications are accredited on them
- Knowledge of Pacific Island countries Education and Assessment systems
Essential skills
- Experience in referencing qualifications frameworks
- Experience in working at a regional quality assurance agency
- Ability to develop and present meeting papers
- Data analysis and report writing skills
Language skills
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – 3 years – 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 Professional Officer (Qualification Recognition) is a Band 10 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,512‒3,140 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,410–9,263 (USD 3,592–4,490; EUR 3,014–3,768). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration 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 be subject to income tax.
Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, 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 Privacy Policy.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing Date: 26 September 2022 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: KK000029
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
- an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
- a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
- responses to all screening questions
Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.
Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):
- Discuss the purposes of regional and national qualifications frameworks and how they could relate with each other to promote the recognition of qualifications.
- The following questions relate to referencing of qualifications frameworks: What is meant by referencing of qualifications frameworks? What principles, standards and criteria could be applied in carrying out referencing of qualifications frameworks? If the result of a referencing exercise has determined that one framework is comparable with another, what could this imply?
- The recognition of qualifications between countries and regions can be very challenging and complex. If appointed to this position, identify 3 actions that you will undertake to enhance the level of cooperation and support for the Pacific framework by other regional and national frameworks.