Qualifications Systems Strengthening Officer

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific 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 realize 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 role – Qualifications Systems Strengthening Officer will be responsible for strengthening qualifications systems by facilitating the capability development of staff, supporting the review of the regional qualifications systems and processes, assisting the ministries of education and national agencies to establish and review national qualifications systems, and supporting development of information products on post-secondary education and training.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Contribute effectively to the development, implementation and reporting of the workplan of the Qualifications Unit

• Contribute to the development, implementation, review and reporting on the performance of the Qualifications Unit in implementing the EQAP Business Plan, and SPC’s overarching regional goals.
• Provide support on the functioning of the Pacific Qualifications Advisory Board and the Pacific Qualifications Recognition Governance Group.
• Collaborate with SPC’s Legal Unit on the approval of contracts with external parties that support the work of the Qualifications Unit.

Capability Development – Training of Trainers

• Facilitate the capability development of staff on competency-based training and assessment.
• Liaise with training providers and industry organisations to identify training needs and trainees.
• Develop training plans, programmes and resources.

Review of Regional Qualifications Systems and Processes

• Provide support on the review of regional qualifications systems and processes to facilitate the external recognition of Pacific qualifications.
• Develop documents on the reviewed Pacific Qualifications Framework and Pacific Quality Assurance Framework.
• Develop regional policies on accreditation and assessment and recognition of foreign qualifications.

Establishment and Review of National Qualifications Systems and Processes

• Assist the ministries of education and national quality assurance agencies to establish and review qualifications systems.
• Collaborate with national quality assurance agencies and ministries of education to identify needs.
• Provide support on the development and review of legislation, policies and procedures on post-secondary education and training.

Information Products

• Support the development of information products including media releases, narratives and information products on post-secondary education and training.
• Support the Communications team to compile quarterly newsletters to inform stakeholders of the work on regional quality assurance.
• Send fortnightly updates on the Pacific Qualifications Recognition Project to the stakeholders.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A post graduate qualification; and
• A degree in teaching or training 

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of teaching at secondary or tertiary level.
• Experience in quality assurance and operations of quality assurance agencies.
• Understanding of qualifications frameworks and how qualifications are accredited on them.
• Experience in development and review of policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and experience on the conduct of competency-based training and assessment.
• Experience in developing training/teaching and learning materials; and
• Experience in the use of information technology tools for communication with external stakeholders.     

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30th November 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Qualifications Systems Strengthening Officer is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,284‒2,856 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,808–8,509 (USD 3,038–3,798; EUR 2,832–3,540). 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 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 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: 29 September 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000723

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. You have been engaged by an organisation to prepare and provide competency-based training for trainers to cohort of 20 participants. Discuss the important things that you would need to consider on the planning, preparation and delivery of the training.
2. National quality assurance agencies and ministries of education in the region are working on enhancing their qualifications systems to promote the external recognition of qualifications. Discuss 3 ways through which qualifications systems can be enhanced.
3. This position requires the incumbent to support the countries on the establishment and review of qualifications systems and agencies. Discuss your experience on this. Describe what you did and how it was done.