Education Assessment Specialist - Literacy

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• 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 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 – Educational Assessment Specialist – Literacy will coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of the LSA related assessment activities in the Pacific Island countries and territories. This role will also be responsible for building capacity in these areas within the countries and territories, and within EQAP through training.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Lead the development of PILNA Literacy instruments.

• Revise Literacy framework and benchmarks.
• Develop blueprint with country representatives; use blueprint and analysed data to develop items for reading and writing.
• Revise the PILNA Style Guide (PGS) and format test booklets accordingly.
• Coordinate and lead the review, paneling of new items with ACER.
• Update the Literacy Codebook that captures the metadata over the years.
• Compile blocks and rotated booklets according to Reading test design. for Reading items.
• Coordinate the translation of Literacy, Numeracy and Questionnaire items into target languages.
• Provide Quality Assurance services of cognitive and contextual items.
• Populate the item bank (ItSafe) and tag items to booklets.
• Compile coding materials for in-house training and for in country training.

PILNA administration, analysis, reporting and dissemination.

• Training NC, SC and TS officers prior to PILNA assessment.
• Training of EQAP officers and country coders on coding and data entry.
• Training of country officers on use of PILNA data.
• Reporting on Literacy chapters of the PILNA Regional, Sub-regional and the country report.
• Disseminate PILNA findings to countries.
• Reporting on PILNA findings shared at conferences/workshops, meetings.

Build capacity with counterparts in PICTs on National Literacy & Numeracy Assessments and administration of requests as per country

• Training on designing, planning, developing blueprint, item writing and documenting of Literacy and Numeracy assessments carried in countries as in country requests.
• Review of instruments and documents in accordance to country requests and providing country data.
• Training on analysing country data and using data for reporting and learning/ intervention.
• Provide expert advice to EAU, CDU officers on best practices in Assessment.
• Supporting countries to develop standards/benchmarks in their national LN to improve reporting.

Integration with other sections in EQAP/SPC as per sections’ timeline

• Support the higher secondary examinations services including review of final exam papers.
• Support other sections of EQAP on assessment matters.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree with a teaching qualification in the teaching of Literacy or related content area
• A master’s degree in education

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of experience working in the area of secondary education with at least 5 years in working in the area of assessment and using assessment to improve student outcomes
• Experience in building teamwork, initiative and ability to adhere to strict multiple timelines
• Experience in negotiating with, and training adults from different ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds
• Experience in data gathering, analysis, interpretation and reporting
• Knowledge of current Pacific and international teacher education issues
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative and productive work environment with team mates

Language skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with high standard of written and spoken English

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Educational Assessment Specialist – Literacy is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,672–9,591 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,191–3,989). 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: 6 October 2024 – 11:00 pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: CR000277

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. What process do you undertake to develop a high-quality reading assessment?
2. What do you feel are the two biggest challenges for successfully administering a regional Literacy assessment, and why?
3. How do you address issues of equity in large-scale assessments, particularly gender, disability and language.