Senior Fisheries Data Analyst - Scientist / Fisheries Data Analyst - Scientist

• 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 27 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 Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role – the Senior Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist / Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist will support the enhanced development and processes for data management, analysis, and reporting. This position will continuously evaluate and improve data management systems to support science and management of regional tuna fisheries. This appointment will be made at either the Senior Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist or the Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist level, depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Data management services for WCPFC

• Develop and maintain routines for management and reporting of fishery data for Member countries.
• Develop efficient and user-friendly approaches for scientists and staff to access and appropriately use data assets.
• Collaborate with the Regional Data Manager to improve data management systems.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth data exchange and collaboration.
• Monitor and report on the status of data loaded into the regional master database.
• Implement data integration processes to ensure comprehensive and coherent datasets.
• Design and implement Data Quality (DQ) routines to identify and rectify data discrepancies and errors.
• Collaborate with the Regional ER Technical Coordinator to adhere to data and data quality standards.

Process improvement and innovation

• Continuously assess existing data management processes, propose and implement improvements.
• Stay up to date with the latest advancements in data handling technologies and recommend their implementation as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities for innovation in data collection, auditing, storage, and analysis.
• Develop comprehensive metadata for regional databases according to good practice standards.
• Develop robust and effective database documentation to catalogue data assets for increased usability.

Data analysis and support for scientific work

• Provide high level support for data analyses, scientific reports, and research papers relevant to OFP scientific work.
• Conduct descriptive and statistical analyses to support stakeholders with data and science-related queries.
• Collaborate with Member countries, WCPFC, FFA, and PNA in data-related matters for scientific projects.
• Assist in interpreting and presenting scientific findings to stakeholders.
• Regularly update the database to include new data and research outcomes.

Leadership and mentorship of section staff in contemporary data management good practices

• The Senior level Analyst/Scientist will have the capability to work autonomously and take on a leadership role to elevate the capacity of the DM section staff and improve the work quality.
• Identify gaps in knowledge and skills within the team and among stakeholders and seek solutions to build and enhance capacity.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree in Fisheries Science, Data Science, Information Technology, or related field
• additionally, for appointment at the Senior Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist level, a tertiary qualification preferably at a PhD level in Fisheries Science, Data Science, Information Technology, or related field

Technical expertise

• Proven experience in data management and developing/maintaining large-scale relational database management systems using SQL Server or similar database development environments. Consideration of appointment at the Senior Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist or Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist levels will be based on, but not limited to, the extent of experience in a relevant field. At least 2 years of (post PhD) or 5 years (post Master’s degree) of experience is desirable for the Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist level and at least 5 years of (post PhD) or 8 years (post Master’s degree) of experience is desirable for the Senior Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist level.
• Knowledge of fisheries and experience with fisheries database systems
• Experience with Git and CI/CD
• Experience with data integration, data transformations, SQL
• Experience with database documentation and development of appropriate metadata
• Experience as a data analyst supporting clients in their data and reporting needs

Language skills

• Good communication skills

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work and travel in a multicultural and multilingual 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 – Appointment will be made at either the Senior Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist level band 12 in SPC’s 2024 salary scale with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,792-5,894 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 708,852-871,830 (USD 6,374-7,839; EUR 5,940-7,306) or the Fisheries Data Analyst – Scientist level band 11 in SPC’s 2024 salary scale with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,206-5,161 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 622,159-763,470 (USD 5,594-6,865; EUR 5,214-6,398). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

An offer of appointment to one of these positions will be made, dependent on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate in relation to the criteria as outlined above. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of the relevant range, with due consideration being given to qualifications and experience. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.

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 10% contribution).

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: 6 October 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000280

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.

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. Briefly describe your experience managing and implementing data systems, specifically mentioning work you’ve done with MS SQL Server, and your views on key components of good practice in data management.
2. Briefly describe your experience improving data workflow efficiency to receive, process, analyse, and/or disseminate data more effectively, and the challenges you faced.
3. Briefly describe the approaches you would employ to validate and ensure the quality of fisheries data and provide an example, from a past role, that required a deep dive into data to uncover issues.