Statistics Advisor (Data Systems)

• 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 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 Statistics for Development Division (SDD) is based in SPC’s headquarter in Noumea, New Caledonia. The division employs approximately 20 staff all of whom are based in Noumea. SDD’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of Pacific Island and Territories (PICTs) national statistical systems by providing technical support through coordination with technical partners and donors. As part of SDD’s new role and functions, it has adopted a statistics system leadership and coordination role as well as strengthening its work on data analysis and dissemination. This new direction will be implemented as part of the Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy (TYPSS) Phase 3 finishing in 2020 and this role is a key position in driving this change.

The role – the Statistics Advisor (Data Systems) will provide statistical expertise, technical support and contribute to capacity building related to development and management of data systems and the dissemination of key development indicators (including the Sustainable Development Goals). This position will oversee the  development, management and maintenance of all datasets being disseminated through the Pacific Data Hub .stat (dotStat) platform (beta version can be found at: https://stats.pacificdata.org/) and will provide significant expertise around modelling of statistical datasets which adhere to the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) Version 2.1 standard. This role will provide and build SDMX expertise within SDD and SPC; support modelling and import of datasets into the Pacific Data Hub .stat platform, as well as metadata management, both structural (code lists, table structures, etc.) and referential. The Statistics Advisor will be responsible for liaising with other technical partners on any developments or revisions to existing statistical processes, procedures, methodologies and systems used to disseminate statistical indicators to ensure datasets are fit for purpose in the context of adopting a more harmonised system of data dissemination in the Pacific.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

1. Play a lead role in modelling, development and implementation of key datasets for import into .stat.

• SPC’s dotStat indicator database is well managed and maintained,
• Key development datasets are well modelled (using Global Data Structure Definitions where possible) in collaboration with subject-matter specialists,
• SDMX artefacts are well thought-out and implemented to enable logical interconnections and consistency with other data models,
• Existing datasets are aggregated, linked, repurposed as necessary for import into dotStat.

2. Improve statistical practices within the region, with an emphasis on improved data management and metadata.

• Current statistical processes, procedures and methodologies pertaining primarily to management of indicator datasets through SDMX are fit for purpose in the context of providing a harmonised data dissemination platform in the Pacific,
• Processes are developed and implemented for the regular transmission and validation of official statistics and their dissemination through dotsStat, in close collaboration with SDD and other SPC subject matter specialists.

3. Dissemination and communication of development indicators in a timely manner.

• Data Analysis and Dissemination team is supported in the production of fact sheets and other knowledge products; pocket statistical summary booklet; and all other divisional publications or dissemination activities requiring data from dotStat.

4. Contribute to effective SDD team environment and SDD/SPC corporate activities.

• Effective cross-programme collaboration and willingness to work with other SDD program colleagues (e.g. Health, Agriculture, LRD, GEM and FAME), while developing and implementing in collaboration with SDD tea members, a multi-year work programme in line with SDD’s Business Plan priorities.

5. Contribute to SDD System Leader function/external stakeholder engagement, partnership and collaboration.

• Mutually beneficial relationships are established and maintained with key technical partners (e.g. PFTAC, ABS, ADB, UNESCAP, UN Stats etc.) and partners working with .stat/SDMX.

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

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

• Either a Master’s degree in statistics, economics, demography or a related discipline with strong data management experience; or
• A Master’s degree in IT with strong data and official statistics experience; (equivalent work experience will also be considered in both cases).

2. Technical expertise

• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience as either:
  • A subject-matter specialist (in economic statistics such as international trade, balance of payments, national and financial accounts and business statistics; or social statistics, such as labour force statistics, population statistics, education statistics and general wellbeing statistics); or
  • An IT/data specialist (who has experience working with official statistics or a related discipline),
• Demonstrated experience using SDMX and implementing data-management best-practices,
• Broad statistical experience, particularly in general statistical concepts, data collection and analysis techniques,
• Database and data-warehousing experience,
• Demonstrated ability to effectively address varying information demands of different groups of clients and stakeholders,
• Proven experience in professional training and staff development, including the planning and running of technical workshops,
• Computer Literacy, in particular as it relates to data processing (e.g. CSPro, STATA, SPSS) and statistical analysis.

3. Language skills

• Proficiency in spoken and written English, and competence in writing and delivering technical reports and presentations.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Excellent interpersonal skills,
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness, and the ability to effectively work with team members from different cultural backgrounds and other agencies in the region involved in statistical work,
• 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 Statistics Advisor (Data Systems) is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2019 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,022–4,931 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 574,566–704,457 (USD 5,711–7,002; EUR 4,815–5,903). 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: 1 September 2019

Job Reference: AL000204

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 motivated you to apply for this position, and what experiences do you think will be most useful to you in this role?
2. Please briefly describe your experience modelling datasets for SDMX-based systems. Have you worked with the OECD.stat platform before?
3. Please briefly describe your statistical/data experience, ideally in the context of development indicators.