Team Leader - Curriculum and Assessment

• 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, education, 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 role – Team Leader – Curriculum and Assessment is responsible for the management and leadership of the Curriculum and Assessment team as a section within EQAP, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to member countries as guided by the current, and future strategic plans.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Curriculum and Assessment Section Management

• Contribute to the implementation of and updates to the EQAP Business Plan which aligns to the SPC Strategic Plan.
• Maintain informative working relationships with the relevant stakeholders and partners in education in undertaking the work of the Curriculum and Assessment section.
• Monitor the implementation and progress of all Curriculum and Assessment section work, ensuring that inputs are fully provided, and that outcomes are evaluated.
• Ensure that reporting for Curriculum and Assessment section work is complete and submitted as per SPC and/or donor requirements.

Team performance and leadership

• Create a team environment that fosters and develops effective working relationships and high performance.
• Build a strong and effective team capable of providing services of the highest quality.
• Ensure team members, including service providers, are managed effectively (in particular recruitment, tendering and selection, performance management, and training and development).
• Monitor the performance and workloads of staff members and service providers to ensure that objectives are met.
• Develop and monitor contracts of short-term technical experts.
• Create linkages and integrate with the wider SPC workforce.

Project Management/Project Financials

• Develop the Curriculum and Assessment section annual work plan and budget.
• Prepare and provide accurate financial information to the EQAP Finance Officer.
• Carry out the day-to-day management, implementation and coordination of all project activities and ensuring project objectives are met.
• Supervise the implementation of the work plan and monitor it to ensure it is implemented in a timely manner and within budget.
• Proactively identify and respond to new opportunities that will enhance project objectives.
• Contribute to and manage the preparation of proposals, including budgets, designed to secure funding that supports initiatives designed either directly or indirectly to improve educational quality.

Assessment

• Oversee the professional activities and services delivered under regional assessment programmes.
• Overall responsibility for the operations and coordination of the SPFSC Qualification.
• Provide ongoing support to countries for the development and moderation of their national examination papers as well as the review and development of their national assessment policies.
• Coordinate and supervise the professional activities and services delivered under Classroom-Based assessment initiative.

Curriculum

• Support the Director in negotiating with countries on the implementation of intervention training for teachers.
• Oversee the design and development of intervention strategies, programs and materials for improving teaching and learning.
• Provide support for the review and development of national curriculum policy frameworks and bilingual education policies.
• Support Ministries of Education in the formulation or revision of national teacher competency standards frameworks and development of appraisal procedures, instruments and tools.
• Oversee and support the implementation of training of curriculum developers for the review and development of curriculum using learning outcomes.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree in education.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of teaching experience, with 5 years of experience in curriculum or assessment.
• Knowledge of education particularly in educational assessment as well as in curriculum.
• Management experience at a national level within an education assessment system.
• Experience in building teamwork, initiative and ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.                                                                                                   

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 30 November 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance

Remuneration – The Team Leader – Curriculum and Assessment is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,211–11,513 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,831–4,789). 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: JM000725

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

our 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. Outcomes-based assessment is being implemented in several Pacific Island countries. How does outcomes-based assessment differ from more traditional assessment approaches and what, in your opinion, makes it appropriate for use in the region?
2. What do you do to implement quality assurance in developing assessment tools and/or curriculum materials?
3. In your view, what are the two biggest challenges facing Pacific Island education systems in terms of curriculum and assessment?