• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• 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 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 Data and EMIS Adviser will provide high level leadership and expertise on data and Education Management Information System (EMIS) initiatives across the Pacific region. The role is central to ensuring the delivery of high-quality, integrated, and future focused services to SPC and member countries, aligned with both current and future strategic priorities.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Provide leadership and expertise on data and EMIS related initiatives, ensuring delivery of high-quality outputs that directly contribute to EQAP’s business plan, integrated team activities, and measurable benefits for member countries.

• Provide leadership and expertise on data and PacSIMS EMIS related work to facilitate the achievement of activities related to the EQAP business plan that links directly to professional input and benefits for member countries as per work of the integrated team.
• Deliver capacity building for EMIS and IT developers in member countries on time, within scope, and to the expected quality standards.
• Ensure member countries receive professional, relevant, and timely advice that strengthens their education system.
• Ensure technical skills are applied by Data and EMIS officers in member countries and positive changes are accomplished in their systems

Provide leadership and expertise in the use of PacSIMS to develop robust EMIS in countries for the production, storage and reporting of high-quality data that will facilitate reporting against national, regional and international goals.

• Provide leadership and expertise in the development of PacSIMS-EMIS in countries for the production, storage and reporting of high-quality data that will facilitate reporting against national, regional and international goals.
• Ensure EMIS systems consistently generate accurate, reliable and timely data.
• Ensure national statistics, PacSIMS EMIS and/or IT officers can provide advice and expertise on tables and graphs that will enhance data collection and addresses validity and accuracy in information gathered and reported.
• Develop tools that can harmonise data across multiple data sources in SPC member countries.

Coordinate application development, testing, documentation and expertise with the use of a wide range of new and amended software solutions and services in accordance with Data and EMIS needs in the Pacific region.

• Provide leadership and expertise with the use of a wide range of new and amended software solutions and services in accordance with Data and EMIS needs.
• Ensure validation and quality assurance of education statistics collected across SPC member PICs according to national, regional and international standards.
• Identify and implement continuous improvements to enhance data management and reporting capabilities.

Provide leadership and expertise to the Education Data Team, to member countries, other EQAP initiatives and to the broader SPC ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality technical advice that strengthens data use, monitoring, and reporting on access and the quality of education in the Pacific.

• Liaise with and advise the Education Data Team, member countries, other EQAP initiatives and the broader SPC consistently of high quality and links with measurable indicators on access and the quality of education in the Pacific.
• Develop quantitative and qualitative data and indicator development and analysis tools in support of national goals, PacREF, SDG goals and cross cutting data systems such as culture, gender and population.
• Successfully utilise the use of PacSIMS and software proposed by the IT Unit of EQAP, other SPC Divisions and ensure development partners are being supported for strengthening the capacity of EMIS and other data collection systems in Pacific Island countries, to produce reports and publication in various forms.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education statistics, statistical analysis, education system development or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of experience in managing and developing EMIS, Education statistics and statistical analysis.
• Experience in supporting workshops and capacity building at the individual and group level.
• Working knowledge of developing and extending Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and integrating data systems within a country and externally such as international (UIS) systems for data validity and reporting.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 30 November 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Education Data and EMIS Adviser is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,703‒3,379 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,137–10,171 (USD 3,596-4,494; EUR 3,311-4,139). 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. 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 Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 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 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 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: 22 February 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000166

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. What are the inherent challenges and corresponding best practices in carrying out the role of an Education Data and EMIS Adviser across a multidisciplinary team based across several organisations and ministries?
2. In your view, what steps should be taken to improve the use of Education Data and EMIS in countries across the Pacific region?
3. How can your organisation be able to release education data to the public and internationally more frequently and how can this be encouraged for regional countries?