Deadline : 23 july
SPC invites applications for the position of Data Analyst/Trainer within its Oceanic Fisheries Programme located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.
SPC is the Pacific Island region’s principal technical and scientific organisation. It delivers technical, scientific, research, policy and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories in fisheries, agriculture, forestry, water resources, geoscience, transport, energy, disaster risk management, public health, statistics, education, human rights, gender, youth and culture. For more information, visit www.spc.int.
In applying, candidates should be guided by SPC’s vision, mission and corporate values, the role and profile of the position and the key result areas and selection criteria.
SPC’s vision for the region is a secure and prosperous Pacific Community, whose people are educated and healthy and manage their resources in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way.
Our mission is to help Pacific Island people position themselves to respond effectively to the challenges they face and make informed decisions about their future and the future they leave for the generations that follow.
Our corporate values are underpinned by the principle of ‘making a positive difference in the lives of Pacific Island people – putting people first’. They include accountability, integrity, respect, transparency, sustainability, people-centredness, gender equality and cultural sensitivity.
Fisheries Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division – has two core units, the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and the Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP’s goal is to ensure that fisheries exploiting the region’s resources of tuna, billfish and related species are managed for economic and ecological sustainability, using the best available scientific information. The programme provides information to national and regional authorities on the status of stocks targeted or otherwise impacted by oceanic fisheries; it collects and analyses comprehensive scientific data on fisheries targeting the region’s resources of tuna and other oceanic species; and it aims to improve understanding of pelagic ecosystems of the western and central Pacific Ocean. OFP comprises four sections responsible for stock assessment, data management, fisheries monitoring and ecosystem analysis. The programme currently has 29 internationally recruited and 25 locally recruited staff and an annual budget of over USD 6 million. CFP helps to develop the capacities of member Pacific Island countries and territories to assess, harvest, develop, manage and conserve their marine resources through advice and training by skilled fishers, post-harvest specialists, scientists, managers, aquaculture specialists and planners.
The role – The new role of Data Analyst/Trainer is accountable to the Principal Fisheries Scientist (Data Management) in the Oceanic Fisheries Programme. The role is responsible for: (i) conducting data extractions and analyses and preparing data summaries and reports in response to requests from the data management section’s internal and external clients; (ii) establishing and managing the OFP data request helpdesk; (iii) developing and coordinating the strategy for training delivery within the section; and (iv) planning, preparing and delivering in-country training to fisheries staff in SPC member countries, in relation to data management and the programme’s database products. The appointment is for three years, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
The profile – SPC seeks a degree qualified IT specialist with expertise using SQL query language with relational database management systems. Attributes will include a track record in designing and delivering database systems training and experience using geographic information systems (GIS). He/she will be a collaborative team player, with the interpersonal and communication skills required to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners in a regional context.
Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress in the following two key result areas:
1. Technical advice and support – Establish and manage the OFP Data Request Helpdesk. Respond to requests for data summaries from OFP scientific staff, SPC member countries, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), PNAO (Office of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement) and other agencies. Assist member countries to prepare tuna fisheries data summaries to be included in their WCPFC and other reports, according to regional obligations and national requirements.
2. Capacity building – Develop and coordinate the strategy for training delivery within the data management section. Train OFP scientific staff in extracting data directly from programme databases using OFP database query products. Train staff in member countries in the areas of tuna fishery data management, including database system use. Coordinate the delivery of regional and national training workshops for member countries and delivery of SPC training attachments. Train WCPFC, FFA, PNAO and other agency staff in using OFP database query products. Rationalise, develop, manage and maintain training resource materials.
Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following selection criteria:
1. Results oriented problem solving– Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
2. Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new ideas/opportunities, develop policy advice based on sound analysis, and support original solutions.
3. Influencing and relationship building skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve divisional and organisational goals. Demonstrate strong communication and advocacy skills and excellent interpersonal and representational skills. Contribute to building productive relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with stakeholders.
4. Qualifications – Degree in information technology and a qualification in designing and conducting training courses, or equivalent relevant work experience.
5. Technical expertise – Experience providing technical support to clients for database systems, with expertise in using SQL query language with relational database management systems such as SQL server or similar database platforms. Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting database systems training courses and preparing training resource materials. Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Knowledge of tuna fisheries, experience with R software package and the development of R scripts, and tuna fisheries database systems would be an advantage.
6. Language skills – Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.
7. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.
Remuneration – The Data Analyst/Trainer is a Band 10 position in SPC’s 2013 salary scale, with a salary range of 3,131–4,503 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 446,414–642,071 (USD 4,900–7,000; € 3,700–5,400). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally 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 subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time.
Benefits – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. An establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum, life insurance, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Work environment – SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office. Smoking is not permitted in the work place.
Equal opportunity – SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Islanders.
Application procedure – The closing date for applications is 23 July 2013. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses and telephone numbers, for three referees.
Apply online – Please use SPC’s online recruitment system at http://www.spc.int/job.html. Important note: prepare and save your curriculum vitae, response to key selection criteria and referee information as Microsoft Word documents BEFORE attempting to submit your application online. It is not possible to partially complete your application via the online system, save it and return to complete it later. Can’t access the online recruitment system? Apply via email: recruit@spc.int; fax: + 687 26 38 18; or post to Sally Clark Herrmann, HR Adviser (Recruitment and Training), Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia. Need assistance? Contact SPC at recruit@spc.int or telephone + 687 26 20 00.
Background – SPC was established in 1947 and employs over 570 staff. Its headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia, with other offices in Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands. SPC has 26 member countries and territories including its founding members, Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States of America, which contribute a large proportion of its funding. Other major development partners are the European Union; Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; United Nations agencies; Asian Development Bank; World Bank and Global Environment Facility, to name a few.
Languages: SPC’s working languages are English and French.
Organisational structure: SPC is led by the Director-General supported by the senior management team, which includes three Deputy Directors-General and the Director of the Strategic Engagement, Policy and Planning Facility. Also contributing to SPC’s executive management are the directors of the seven technical divisions (Applied Geoscience and Technology; Economic Development; Education, Training and Human Development; Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems; Land Resources; Public Health; and Statistics for Development); the directors of Finance, Human Resources and the North Pacific Regional Office and the coordinator of the Honiara country office.