Data Advocacy and Policy Advisor

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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are renowned 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 Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The Pacific Data Hub programme aims to connect policymakers with the evidence they need for effective decision making, improve data management and governance practices across the Pacific region, and deliver a single authoritative platform for access all Pacific data and knowledge products.

The role – the Data Advocacy and Policy Advisor will lead the PDH programme’s efforts to improve the use of rigorous evidence in regional policy making. They will assemble evidence and develop insights that support key policy making in initiatives in the region, and link policy makers with the evidence they require. They will also develop and maintain regional networks of data champions, policy makers and evidence producers to assess and address gaps in evidence and ensure the PDH programme’s services and products meet their needs.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Regional advocacy and coordination

• Coordinate PDH activities and those of the programme’s partners in support of evidence-based policy making
• Stay abreast of key regional policy-making activities and provide key policy-makers with relevant evidence
• Work with countries to explore available evidence and identify gaps
• Build and strengthen a multi-sectoral network of policy makers from PICT governments as well as a network of data champions and evidence producers within SPC, PICT governments, and other regional, international, and academic organizations
• Monitor the activities of evidence producers within SPC divisions and work with them to generate insights and identify gaps
• Measure the use of evidence in regional policy making activities

2. Multidisciplinary data analysis

• Analyze available data and evidence and develop insights for use by policy makers
• Effectively communicate insights to relevant policy makers
• Develop analysis and insights capacity within SPC and within other regional organizations and ministries

3. Programme and product capability management

• Gather requirements, best practices, and lessons learned to maintain an understanding of the needs of regional policy makers
• Lead the development of PDH programme services and Pacific Data Hub platform capabilities that support the needs of policy makers.
• Represent SPC and the PDH programme at regional fora, meetings, and workshops
• Contribute to resource mobilization activities in support of the PDH programme

4. Administration and reporting

• Ensure that all reporting and activities of the Pacific Data Hub programme are in line with project requirements, donor requirements, SPC policies and regulations
• Produce regular reporting on metrics related to programme’s efforts to promote the use of evidence in policy making

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Tertiary degree preferably in public policy, data science, or a closely related field

2. Technical expertise

• 10 years of work related to policy making or data science
• 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in the use of evidence in policy making
• Experience with multidisciplinary data analysis and presentation to inform decisions
• Experience in fund-raising, proposal preparation and programme administration
• Demonstrated ability to write decision papers, policy recommendations, and articles

3. Language skills

• Proficiency in spoken and written English with excellent communication and presentation skills.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to motivate, inspire and promote teamwork
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness, and the ability to effectively work with team members from different cultural backgrounds
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage

Salary, terms and conditions

Required start date – As soon as possible

Contract Duration – This position is budgeted for three years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Data Advocacy and Policy Advisor is a Band 10 position in SPC’s 2019 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,415–4,172 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 487,815–596,018 (USD 4,849–5,924; EUR 4,088–4,995). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance, and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Equal opportunity – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit; in cases where two short-listed candidates are judged to be of equal rank by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

Child protection – SPC is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. SPC’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Police clearance – Successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate.

Application procedure

Closing date: 25 August 2019

Job Reference: AL000202

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

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening questions

1. What attracted you to this role?
2. Please discuss your experience with developing data insights, data visualization, and/or evidence-based policymaking.
3. Please discuss your experience building effective communities of practice.