GIS, Innovation and Dissemination Lead

• Noumea-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• 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 26 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 Statistics for Development Division (SDD) is based in SPC’s headquarter in Noumea, New Caledonia. The division employs approximately 20 staff all of whom are all based in Noumea. SDD’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) national statistical systems by providing technical support through coordination with technical partners and donors. As part of SDD’s role and functions, it has adopted a regional statistical system leadership and coordination role as well as strengthening its technical assistance and support to data collection, analysis and dissemination. This direction has been implemented as part of the Ten-Year Pacific Statistics Strategy (TYPSS) 2011-2020 and this role is a key position in driving these developments forward in respect to data analysis and statistical capacity development in the region.

The role – the GIS, Innovation and Dissemination Lead will have the following key responsibilities:

1. Lead all innovation work, development, maintenance and update of SDD GIS projects and online mapping applications

• Census and survey mapping is coordinated for member countries for HIES and Population Census; and training provided.
• Technological developments are used to transform data collection and increase demand for disaggregated statistical data in SPC member countries.
• The web based interactive Pacific wide PopGIS mapping interface and associated applications are maintained updated and developed.
• Technical Assistance provided in creation of Island Profiles, Population Atlases and other publications as requested by PICTs.

1. Lead the development, management and update of SDD’s online databases/platforms (data management)

• The day-to-day operations of the SDD’s online databases/platforms and web-based data dissemination products and services are managed successfully under the overall leadership of the Manager of Data Analysis and Dissemination.
• Monitor and oversee the implementation of SDD investments in IT and web-system investments ensuring vendor compliance with contract terms and conditions.
• An SPC version of OECD.stat is developed, implemented and maintained with support and in close collaboration with OECD and the SIS-Community.
• Data Structure Definitions (DSD’s) are developed and/or modified when required for various datasets which need to be imported into .stat.
• All documentation, guides, tutorials etc are designed and easily accessible via the SDD website and .stat platform.

1. Lead all innovation, development, maintenance and update work on SDD’s web-based data dissemination tools and knowledge sharing of SDD outputs and activities

• A “fit-for-purpose” and innovative web-based data dissemination platform is developed and made operational in consultation with the ICT Team.
• “User-driven” and innovative web-based data dissemination products and services are produced in close collaboration with Information and Publications Officer and the demographic and economic subject matter specialists.
• All SDD/SPC requirements are met in the development of the Pacific Data Hub project.
• Support is provided to data analysis and the production of dissemination and knowledge products.

1. Lead all SDD’s innovation work and all external technical advice/negotiations on behalf of the Division on matters related to GIS and online data collection and dissemination technologies

• Direct advice is provided to Director of SDD and Manager of Data Analysis and Dissemination on making decisions on appropriate technologies to use and invest in.
• Successfully contributions are made to the development of the SPC-Pacific Data Hub Initiative as part of the team that lead this work.

1. Lead and supervise a technical team that supports the innovation, development, maintenance and update of SDD’s GIS Mapping Application and all of SDD’s website and web-based data dissemination products and services

• Staff deliverables and work program are delivered within agreed budget and timeline.
• Staff annual work plan; PDS; annual leave and other corporate obligations to SDD-SPC are done on a timely manner.

1. Contributing to effective SDD team environment and SPC corporate activities and system leader role

• A multi-year work programme is developed and implemented in collaboration with SDD team members, in line with TYPSS Pacific Statistics Action Plan Phase 3 priorities, and SDD multi-year and multi-country data collection programme.
• Effective cross-programme collaboration and willingness to work with other SDD program colleagues is maintained and demonstrated.

1. Contributing to SDD System Leader function/external stakeholder engagement, partnership, and collaboration

• Closely work with technical partners on all aspects of data management (spatial and statistical), analytics and dissemination.
• SDD and the region are professionally represented as necessary in international meetings, workshops and technical working groups relevant to the KRAs.

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree in statistics, economics or other relevant subject, with specialized training in online data collection and dissemination tools including GIS Mapping Application, tablets, OECD.stats, etc.

1. Technical expertise

• A least 10 years of professional experience obtained in a National Statistical Office or related agency at the national, regional or international level in GIS compilation and applications and/or database development and management and/or web-site development and management, and/or) technology innovation in data collection, processing, database development and web-site management
• Proven management experience in coordinating small teams including internal staff, consultants and students.

1. Language skills

• Proven English language proficiency.

1. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Team player with ability to network and effectively work in a multicultural setting, and with other agencies in the region involved in statistical work.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is 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 GIS, Innovation and Dissemination Lead is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,113–5,045 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 602,042–738,463 (USD 5,717–7,012; EUR 5,045–6,188). 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 is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. 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 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 9 January 2022 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: SH000113

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

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

All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. Which software or applications have you used extensively to develop and manage statistics and/or indicator databases; what are their strengths and weaknesses for dissemination and user access?
2. In a post-Covid recovery era the timely availability of data and performance indicators will continue to increase in importance; what do you think will be amongst the most important innovations and/or developments that will help to make this happen.
3. SPC is an international organization with Divisions covering many thematic/sector areas serving its member countries and territories in the region. How do you think the Statistics for Development Division should improve the way in which it supports these other Divisions in delivering on SPC’s corporate strategic objectives for the development of its members and the people of the region.