Statistics Adviser (metadata and SDMX)

• Noumea or Suva-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 Statistics for Development Division (SDD)’s goal is to help the Pacific Island Countries and Territories achieve “highly competent and sustainable national statistics systems that meet national and international statistics needs for evidence-based policy, planning and monitoring.” SDD has a regional statistical system leadership and coordination role; and also supports the region directly in data infrastructure, collection, statistical methodology, analysis and dissemination.

The role – the Statistics Adviser (metadata and SDMX) will develop and maintain SDMX data structures and other metadata supporting statistical dissemination in the Pacific Data Hub .Stat platform (PDH.stat). The role involves collaborating with internal and external stakeholders regarding data modelling and data documentation, developing semantic assets fostering data interoperability, and supporting the setup of corporate data modelling and metadata management methodologies and infrastructure.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Data modelling and interoperability

• Model Statistical datasets according to the SDMX standard in collaboration with data owners.
• Handle change requests from data owners related to data structures and referential metadata, ensuring compliance with the established common structural metadata artifacts.
• Identify and implement harmonisation actions for data structures, aiming to enhance interoperability and consistency across datasets within the PDH.stat database.
• Provide services in data architecture and data modelling.
• Collaborate with other components of the Pacific Data Hub to ensure semantic interoperability and seamless integration of data and systems.
• Consolidate requirements for SDMX data modelling software, ensuring compatibility and optimal use of tools within the PDH.stat software ecosystem.
• Provide support towards the migration of PDH.stat content to SDMX 3.0.

Metadata management (structural and referential metadata)

• Manage concepts and codelists used in PDH.stat, ensuring their alignment with global standards.
• Maintain mappings from miscellaneous data sources to the PDH.stat data structures, ensuring accurate data integration and traceability.
• Use common reference metadata structure as a template for documenting all datasets published on the PDH.stat platform maintained.
• Support metadata reengineering projects, including the refactoring of the common geographic dimension, the extensions of the PDH.stat common reference metadata structure or the migration to SDMX 3.0.
• Ensure different types of metadata are accessible to users through various channels.
• Monitor metadata accessibility and analyse metadata quality performed feeding the periodic overall quality assessment of PDH.stat content.

Standardisation and data governance

• Promote data architecture and data modelling standards and best practices across data-related projects.
• Support implementation of open data principles within SDD and the region, ensuring transparency, accessibility, and usability of data.
• Support data governance initiatives, notably in the areas of master data management practices, shared metadata repositories, and data/metadata inventories and typologies.
• Participate actively in SDMX standards and guidelines development, contributing expertise and insights to shape the future of data standardisation and interoperability.

External support and partnership

• Establish strong collaborations with external stakeholders particularly National Statistical Organisations (NSOs).
• Provide expert guidance and support to member NSOs in data modelling and metadata management, ensuring alignment with regional and global standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with NSOs to identify and address data interoperability challenges, facilitating seamless data exchange within the PDH.stat platform and other statistical systems.
• Provide training and capacity-building sessions on data modelling, data governance, and metadata management.
• Gather feedback and insights from NSOs to inform the continuous improvement of the Pacific Data Hub data architecture, data governance, and standardisation efforts.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master degree or higher in computer science, data science, statistics, or a related field

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of working experience related to data modelling and metadata management, ideally in the context of statistical organisations
• Experience in master data management, operating metadata registries or setting up corporate-level semantic assets
• Good knowledge of open data principles, practices and tools

Language skills

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work 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 – The Statistics Adviser (metadata and SDMX) is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale.

For a Noumea based position – 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.

For a Suva based position – 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). 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.

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.

Benefits for international staff employees – SPC provides a housing allowance (or 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).

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 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: 24 November 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000326

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. Describe you experience working with data modelling tools and techniques, and how that experience relates to the responsibilities of this role.
2. Describe your understanding of the role of metadata in ensuring data quality, interoperability, and usability.
3. How would you approach building relationships and collaborating with national statistical offices (NSOs) in the Pacific region to promote the adoption of data standards and best practices?