Education Specialist - Research

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Competitive 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 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 Education Specialist – Research will conduct and develop capacity in education research to support Pacific Islands in the use of research to inform changes in practice, policies, and education reforms. 

The key responsibilities of the role include: 

Research

• Lead, support and advise EQAP teams on the development, design, and implementation of research studies
• Design and carry out qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research in support of EQAP initiatives
• Facilitate the development of research frameworks, guidelines, and procedures for conducting educational research at regional and national levels 

PILNA

• Design, develop (or review), and regularly evaluate the validity and reliability of items in the PILNA contextual questionnaires
• Assist countries to formulate and design research studies that will investigate the impact of socio-economic factors on pupil’s performance in PILNA
• Analyze and report on PILNA contextual data 

National Research

• Provide technical and advisory support in national research initiatives
• Provide research training for educational personnel and stakeholders in the countries as identified
• Facilitate and coordinate research forums among member countries to share research findings and best practices 

Dissemination of Research

• Coordinate the dissemination and presentation of high-quality regionally significant research on education quality in the Pacific at regional and international research conferences 

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

Key selection criteria 

Qualifications 

• A thesis-based postgraduate qualification in education 

Technical expertise   

• At least 10 years of experience working in the area of education with at least five years’ experience in conducting educational research
• Sound knowledge of qualitative and quantitative educational research methods
• Sound knowledge of current Pacific and International educational and research issues
• Experience in liaising, negotiating, and training people from different ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds
• Knowledge and competency in advanced information technology tools 

Language skills 

• Proven verbal and written presentation and communication skills in English, both at a technical level and in the preparation of information for the public 

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness 

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment

Salary, terms and conditions 

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Education Specialist – Research is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,595–9,494 (USD 3,450–4,313; EUR 3,268–4,085). 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.

Application procedure 

Closing Date: 23 February 2023 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000393 

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): 

1. Formulate and propose research guidelines relating to two relevant questions on the education sector in the Pacific region.
2. Discuss your experience designing and carrying out two research projects (either a qualitative or a quantitative or mixed-methods research) that you implemented and how the projects lead to solving and alleviating a pre-existing problem.
3. What types of computer-assisted qualitative and quantitative data analysis software are your familiar with and state the type of analysis that the software can do.