Principal Adviser - Educational Quality and Assessment Programme

• Exciting international development programme
• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Principal Adviser - Educational Quality and Assessment Programme located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.

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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 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.

SPC’s Educational Quality and Assessment Programme is known as ‘the agency for educational quality in the Pacific region’. The mission of the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) is to enhance the quality of education and training for Pacific learners to realise the benefits of lifelong learning. EQAP 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
• Assimilating expressed needs of countries into our technical delivery

The role – The Principal Adviser will be responsible for the overall project management and delivery of a range of projects across the programme, including project design, project management, team coordination, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) and reporting activities, risk management and the provision of high-level advice to the Director of EQAP and development partners. The Adviser will work closely with senior team members within the programme as well as staff across SPC divisions, regional development partners, donors and country counterparts with a primary focus on strategic leadership and relationship development. The key responsibilities of the role include:

Project and portfolio management

• Provide strategic leadership and operational guidance and advice across five EQAP projects – Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), Exams, Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA), Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA), and Pacific Register of Qualifications and Standards (PRQS) – to contribute to the effective delivery of all projects.
• Develop guidance tools, such as communities of practice, participatory workshops, learning events, and templates to further enhance the project management capacity of EQAP.
• Establish performance outcomes and measures for key project goals, and define monitoring, reporting and communication requirements.
• Resolve operational and/or technical problems, ensuring that MEL activities and methods are incorporated into project implementation and service delivery.
• Advise project team leaders on the implementation status of projects in accordance with the terms and conditions of signed contracts.

Stakeholder management

• Ensure effective collaboration and coordination with EQAP stakeholders and development partners.
• Initiate and facilitate regular meetings with in-house team leaders and project staff regarding project delivery and outcomes.
• Ensure responsive services to member requests.
• Initiate, develop and maintain working collaborations with regional and international partners and donors.

Provision of ongoing support and advice to the Director – EQAP

• Provide regular updates, support and advice regarding projects and work programmes.
• Make recommendations to contribute to final sign-off on project proposals and designs.
• Respond to programme requests from the Director and/or EQAP teams.
• Plan and coordinate key project management meetings, both internal and external.
• Write and compile reports as and when required.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning

• Collaborate with key project focal points across SPC and members of the Strategic Planning and Learning (SPL) Division to develop and implement a unified method of documenting the objects, goals and outcomes of EQAP projects.
• Effectively contribute to MEL activities, incorporate learning, and encouraging double loop learning through responding to learning for improvement and development impact.
• Develop results- and learning-focused MEL frameworks to support implementation of EQAP projects in accordance with donor/SPC procedures and in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Support the development and review of annual work plans, progress reports and other project results to ensure stipulated objectives and EQAP conditions are met.
• Based on MEL results, assist in drafting high-quality performance reports for external and internal accountability and learning needs, including annual reporting to the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA).

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

Master’s degree from a recognised institution in a discipline relevant to project management, international development and certification in Project Management.

Technical expertise

At least 15 years of experience in a similar project management position working with complex multi-donor, multi-beneficiary projects, preferably in the Pacific Islands region. Thorough knowledge of project management phases including project-cycles, log-frames, monitoring and evaluation, and risk management. Demonstrated experience and knowledge of MEL systems and tools and be proficient in team management techniques.

Essential skills

High degree of problem solving at a project management level. Excellent high-level negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Excellent computer skills (MS Word and Excel including MS Project). High emotional intelligence and professional maturity in risk assessment and goal-setting.   

Language skills

Excellent communication skills in English (both oral and written), with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

Good interpersonal skills. A team player with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and gender-sensitive environment. Cultural sensitivity and a strong awareness of Pacific region issues relating to vulnerability to ongoing stressors and extreme events. Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Three years

Required start date – Immediate

Application closing date -  28th June 2017

Remuneration – The Principal Adviser is a Band 13 position in SPC’s 2017 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,814-4,767SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 11,137-13,921 (USD 5,301-6,627; EUR 4,822-6,028). 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 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 staff employees based in FIJI – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,170–2,625 per month. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and 30 days of sick leave per annum, 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.

As an equal-opportunity employer, SPC recruits on merit; however if two interviewed candidates are ranked equally by the selection committee, preference will be given to nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories.

Application procedure

Applicants must apply online.

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted or considered.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume
• contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Please ensure that your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.