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 Quality Assurance Officer will facilitate the accreditation and quality delivery of qualifications and micro-qualifications and provide support to national quality assurance agencies on the implementation of quality assurance frameworks.
The key responsibilities of the role include:
Team Performance – Contribute effectively to the development, implementation and reporting of the workplan of the Unit
- Be an efficient member of the Qualifications Unit and support the mission, goals and activities of the section
- 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
- Coordinate and support the functioning of the Qualifications Advisory Board
Registration of Qualifications on the PRQS – Collaborate with national agencies to ensure the registration of all accredited qualifications on the Pacific Register of Qualifications and Standards
- Liaise with national quality assurance agencies on information on accredited qualifications
- Ensure details on accredited qualifications are registered on the PRQS within a reasonable timeframe from the date of its receipt
- Provide regular update on registered qualifications to national agencies.
Accreditation – Facilitate the accreditation of qualifications and micro-qualifications within a reasonable timeframe
- Conduct training on the process and requirements on accreditation of qualifications and micro-qualifications
- Vet accreditation applications and provide feedback on any issues needing attention
- Collaborate with the Accreditation Committee, evaluators and applicants to address any issues identified by the evaluators and the Accreditation Committee
Training Delivery – Facilitate the quality delivery of qualifications and micro-qualifications by training providers
- Conduct training on the requirements for delivery of qualifications and micro-qualifications
- Receive and acknowledge applications on “approval to deliver qualifications and micro-qualifications” from training providers
- Compile information on participants who successfully complete regional qualifications and micro-qualifications
Support of National Quality Assurance Agencies – Provide support to national quality assurance agencies on the development, implementation and review of quality assurance frameworks
- Collaborate with national quality assurance agencies to identify their needs
- Provide support to national quality assurance agencies on the external review of their training providers and programmes
- Provide support to PICTs on the development and review of their quality assurance frameworks
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 teaching or training
Technical expertise
- 5 years’ experience with at least 3 years in teaching at a secondary or tertiary level
- Experience in quality assurance and operations of quality assurance agencies
- Understanding of qualifications frameworks and how qualifications are accredited on them
- Experience in development and presentation of meeting papers
- Knowledge and experience of current assessment methodologies and issues
- Experience in developing training/teaching and learning materials in a higher education institution
- Experience in the use of information technology tools for communication with external stakeholders
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 – until 31 December 2025 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance
Remuneration – The Quality Assurance Officer is a Band 9 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,229‒2,786 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,575–8,218 (USD 3,187–3,984; EUR 2,675–3,343). 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: 22 January 2023 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: JM000374
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.
SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.
Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):
- What is a quality training programme and discuss three ways of achieving a quality training programme?
- In your role as the Quality Assurance Officer, state three challenges that you are likely to face during the accreditation process and discus how you could address them.
- An essential step in the accreditation of a training provider is the conduct of a site audit. Explain what a site audit is and why it is necessary? What must be done during a site audit?