Country Program Support Officer - Kiribati

• Kiribati 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 Programme Support Officer – Kiribati will support EQAP and the Kiribati Ministry of Education in the implementation of the Kiribati - EQAP country work programme.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Implementation of the Regional Form Seven Qualification (SPFSC)

• Monitoring and support for timely submission and/or entry into PacSIMS of SPFSC enrolment data, fee payments, IA programs for approval, and IA scores.
• Verification of student enrolment information using birth certificates.
• Verification of SPFSC IA Program. implementation and submits reports to EQAP.
• Customs clearance of the SPFSC examination papers, and despatch to, and receipt from, island schools.
• Facilitation of SPFSC administration, including submission to EQAP of documents from supervisors for processing of supervisors’ claims, Supervision Reports, and receipts/invoice for reimbursement of domestic courier cost for SPFSC exam.
• Facilitation of return of student scripts and extra papers to EQAP for scoring.
• Facilitation of Supervisors’ allowance payments to all supervisors and return of remittance slips.
• Facilitation of release of result notices and certificates.

Communication and Programme Administration Support

• Serves as the liaison between SPC (EQAP) and the host Government and Public Service as required to further EQAP Division’s work in the host country.
• Coordinates registration and distribution of documents and knowledge materials.
• Liaise with relevant national agencies to share and solicit relevant information.
• Communicate with stakeholders to ensure the production of quality project materials and their timely dispatch to the countries.
• Communicate with focal points in various ministries and staff of SPC.
• Carry out local Procurement in accordance with donor and SPC procurement policies.

Logistics and Travel Support for events

• Provide administrative, financial, and logistical support to ensure successful delivery of events i.e. meetings, conferences, training, and workshops.
• Develop budgets for in-country events.
• Develop communications that are precise and use appropriate language such as Government Protocol letters and Administrative Notes for events.
• Support the collation and distribution of events documentation.

Curriculum and Assessment Support

• Provide logistical support in terms of gathering information required for PacSIMS for national qualifications at Years 11 and 12.
• Support national qualifications by inputting information into files that can be uploaded into PacSIMS.
• Support the unpacking of curriculum learning outcomes to facilitate alignment with assessment requirements.
• Support the development and moderation of national examination documents.
• Support the customisation of PacSIMS for national qualifications and extraction of reports.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in a relevant field such as education, business administration or commerce, or equivalent.

Technical expertise

• 3-4 years experience in a similar support role.
• Demonstrated experience in conference management and event organisation, logistics and travel.
• Relevant practical experience in procurement administration, travel support and financial aspects of large and complex projects.
• Strong PC-based computer skills, preferably with Microsoft Programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Ability to effectively manage information and carry out data entry with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.

Language skills

• Fluency in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work with a wide range of individuals in a multicultural environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This position is budgeted until 19 May 2026 and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – the Country Programme Support Officer – Kiribati is a Band 7 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of AUD 17,139–21,423 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 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 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 Kiribati Nationals currently residing in the country, or hold the proper work permit for salaried employment there.

Application procedure

Closing date: 28 April 2024 – 11:00 pm Noumea time

Job Reference: CR000220

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. Using specific examples, discuss ways in which the administration of a regional qualification differs from that of a national one.
2. How does online communication and coordination facilitate the administration of a programme?
3. Ensuring the alignment of curriculum with assessment is a key endeavour of Ministries of Education in the Pacific. How will you support this endeavour in Kiribati through this role?