Country Program Support Officer – Tuvalu

• Tuvalu based position
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

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 Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) has the vision of being ‘The agency for educational quality in the Pacific region’.  The mission of the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme is to enhance the quality of education and training for Pacific leaners to realise the benefits of lifelong learning. The Educational Quality and Assessment Programme seeks to promote the following core values within the context of SPC’s corporate values:

• creating a culture of quality;
• creating a culture of continuous improvement;
• cultural and political sensitivity;
• respect for the autonomy and priorities of each PICT’s education system; and
• assimilating expressed needs of countries into its technical delivery.

The role – the Country Program Support Officer – Tuvalu will support the coordination, development, implementation and evaluation of educational assessments; in particular literacy and early grades reading assessments; to report the achievements of early grade years in literacy in Tuvalu as well as to build capacity within Tuvalu through training of enumerators and supervisors.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Support the coordination, development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of national literacy assessments.

• Coordinating and supporting the review and trial of instruments in schools.
• Coordinating and supporting training workshops for enumerators and supervisors.
• Supporting the development of short- and long-term plans for on the ground assessment and training work in the country.
• Support the development of assessment documents e.g. supervisor manuals, coding booklets, data collection schedules etc.
• Monitoring the administration of assessments in schools by teams of supervisors and enumerators.
• Communicating information to relevant assessment officer(s) regarding matters related to improvement of the database.
• Support Tuvalu in interpreting, understanding and utilisation of the assessment data gathered.
• Support the dissemination of assessment results to the MEHRD including teachers and other key stakeholders.

Manage the collaborative relationship between the Ministry of Education and other development partners and stakeholders to facilitate national assessment activities

• Communicating regularly with EQAP on matters pertaining to planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of assessment activities.
• Communicating regularly with the Ministry of Education on matters pertaining to planning, implementation and monitoring of assessment activities.
• Communicating regularly with stakeholders including community groups and leaders, and development partners on matters pertaining to planning, implementation and monitoring of assessment activities.
• Managing logistical requirements for trainings and workshops.

Support other regional assessment and curriculum activities including assessment of teacher standards, SPFSC, and research activities

• Supporting curriculum reviews for national qualifications.
• Supporting assessment activities proposed from EQAP or Ministry, including PILNA, EHCI, national qualifications, and SPFSC.
• Supporting national initiatives on the assessment of teacher competencies in collaboration with EQAP, Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders.
• Support national research initiatives into educational matters in collaboration with EQAP, Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders.

Administrative and Financial Operation Support

• Provide logistical support for programme activities, in terms of travel and accommodation logistics for POs and participants, enumerators and supervisors.
• Coordinate the workflow of the project.
• Maintain a system of filing of physical as well as electronic records for the project.
• Provide monthly progress reports for the project.
• Support preparation of meeting/training documents and record minutes of meetings and workshop proceedings.
• Organise procurement of quotations, stationery and provision of payments.
• Assist in the procurement of required services from various government ministries and NGOs.
• Support vendors and suppliers’ communications management

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant field such as education, business administration or commerce, or similar

Technical expertise

• At least 4-5 years of experience working in the area of education with at least 2-3 years working in the area of assessment
• Experience in building teamwork
• Initiative and ability to adhere to strict multiple timelines
• Experience in negotiating with, and training adults from different ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds
• Experience in data gathering, analysis, interpretation and reporting
• Knowledge of current Pacific and international education issues
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaboration and a productive work environment with work colleagues

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills with a high standard of written and spoken English

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Good knowledge of the Pacific Island Countries is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This position is budgeted for 1 year and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – the Country Program Support Officer – Tuvalu is a Band 7 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of AUD 19,271–24,088 per year, plus local staff benefits. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.

Benefits – SPC provides medical and life insurance for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a 10% 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Please note that applicants must be Tuvalu Nationals currently residing in the country, or hold the proper work permit for salaried employment there.

Application procedure

Closing date: 17 November 2024 – 11:00 pm Noumea time

Job Reference: CR000327

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

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.

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:

1. What in your view are the three critically important considerations during the assessment of Early Grade Reading skills?
2. Coordinating and supporting a national assessment activity has its challenges. Outline two challenges and propose ways to address them.
3. Describe an effective dissemination strategy for assessment results in Tuvalu including protocols that need to be observed.

Position Description