• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific 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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The vision of the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) is to be ‘The agency for educational quality in the Pacific region’. Its mission is to enhance the quality of education and training for Pacific learners, so they realize the benefits of lifelong learning. EQAP seeks to promote the following core values within the context of SPC’s corporate values:

• a culture of quality;
• a culture of continuous improvement;
• cultural and political sensitivity;
• respect for the autonomy and priorities of the education system in each Pacific Island country and territory (PICTs); and
• assimilation of the expressed needs of countries in its delivery of technical services.

The role – Education IT Team Leader will be responsible for the management and leadership of the Education IT Team as a section within EQAP, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to member countries as guided by the current, and future strategic plans.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Integrated work unit management

• Contribute to the implementation of and updates to the EQAP Business Plan which aligns to the SPC Strategic Plan.
• Maintain informative working relationships with the relevant stakeholders and partners in education in undertaking the IT work.
• Monitor the implementation and progress of all IT work, ensuring that inputs are fully provided, and that outcomes are evaluated.
• Ensuring that reporting for IT work is complete and submitted as per SPC and donor requirements.

Team performance and leadership  

• Create a team environment that fosters and develops effective working relationships and high performance.
• Build a strong and effective team capable of providing services of the highest quality.
• Ensure team members, including service providers, are managed effectively (in particular recruitment, tendering and selection, performance management, and training and development).
• Develop and monitor contracts of short-term technical experts and other support

Project management and project financials

• Develop the IT work plan and budget.
• Prepare and providing accurate financial, procurement and travel information to the EQAP Finance Officer.
• Carry out the day-to-day management, implementation and coordination of all project activities and ensuring project objectives are met.
• Supervise the implementation of the work plan and monitoring to ensure it is implemented in a timely manner and within budget.
• Proactively identify and respond to new opportunities that will enhance project objectives.

Professional services provided

• Analyse and interpret user ICT requirements, in particular database and programming needs for existing and potentially new value adding applications.
• Develop and support core EQAP- wide applications.
• Participate in the development and use of endorsed SPC project guidelines and standards and apply those techniques to manage, implement and deploy IT projects.
• Review, analyse and document priority business requirements identified by EQAP staff and other essential stakeholders and provide timely and appropriate recommendations and/or solutions.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in information technology.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of experience as a software/ application developer/ analyst, with a proven track record of programming in client-server environments.
• 5 years of experience on technical project management and the successful implementation of medium to large enterprise systems.
• Experience working in an agile environment.
• Experience with professional software engineering best practices for the full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing and operations.
• Experience in building teamwork, initiative and ability to adhere to strict deadlines.          

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Education IT Team Leader is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with 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). 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. 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.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. 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 matching 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 bilingualism, 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 be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 9 June 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000668

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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. Please describe the approach you have used in successfully managing the day-to-day implementation and coordination of IT activities, ensuring alignment with project objectives?
2. How would you ensure that the IT solutions developed by your team are tailored to meet the unique needs and challenges of the Pacific context?
3. What strategies do you employ to ensure that system-wide applications remain scalable and adaptable to future changes in technology and organizational needs?