Statistics Analyst

• 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 Analyst will support Pacific Island Countries and Territories by analysing statistical data, generating insights, writing reports and providing statistical technical support and training.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Analysis, indicators and report-writing for regular statistical collections

• Develop, deliver and disseminate indicators, analysis and reports.
• Produce statistics and indicators using appropriate statistical methods with respect to international best practices and standards.
• Ensure reports meet SDD’s quality standards and are well regarded by member National Statistics Offices and stakeholders.
• Ensure R or Stata code used in producing reports is accessible in GitHub repositories and results are reproducible.

Ad hoc and project-specific analysis and contribution to subject matter leadership

• Produce ad-hoc analytical reports, fact sheets, monographs, country or sector profiles, and other knowledge products for the Pacific region and countries.
• Contribute to SPC being seen as a leader regionally in generating insights in subject areas relevant to this position.
• Be familiar with emerging research relating to the Pacific in their area of speciality and contribute to SPC’s own analysis and planning accordingly.

Technical assistance, training and support

• Provide timely and useful responses to member country and other user requests for assistance with the sourcing and analysis of Pacific statistics.
• Train and advise staff in national statistics offices, national planners and relevant staff in line ministries.
• Provide support to improve and innovate data production and analysis methods in the relevant areas.
• Maintain partnership and collaboration with other agencies and relationships with key stakeholders.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in statistics, economics, data science or other academic discipline related to the role.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in official statistics, economics, social development or related areas.
• Analysis of household complex survey data and/or administrative data used for generating official statistics.
• R or Stata.
• Git and GitHub.

Language skills

• Excellent oral and written English language communication. 

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Demonstrated ability to work with people from different national and cultural backgrounds. 

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until 31 December 2027 and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Statistics Analyst is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale.

For a Noumea based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,209-3,915 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 474,675 - 579,141 (USD 4,268-5,207; EUR 3,978-4,853). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

For a Suva based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 2,284-2,856 per month, which converts to approximately FJD 6,808–8,509 (USD 3,038–3,798; EUR 2,832–3,540). 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: 5 January 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: SH000358

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 skills and experience in analysing survey data to generate insights and contribute to reports
2. Briefly describe your skills and experience with R and/or Stata
3. What are some important development issues in the Pacific where official statistics can make an important contribution to policy development?