The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Statistics Adviser (Census & Survey) within its Statistics for Development Division. This position will be located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.
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 known 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 all based in Noumea. SDD’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) national statistical systems by providing technical support through coordination with technical partners and donors. As part of SDD’s role and functions, it has adopted a regional statistical system leadership and coordination role as well as strengthening its technical assistance and support to data collection, analysis and dissemination. This direction has been implemented as part of the Ten-Year Pacific Statistics Strategy (TYPSS) 2011-2020 and this role is a key position in driving these developments forward in respect to gender and human rights statistics in the region.
The role – the Statistics Adviser (Census & Survey) will provide statistical technical support and contribute to statistical capacity building of national statistical systems throughout the Pacific. The position is responsible for the oversight of SDD census and survey activities, with primary technical responsibilities for survey design, including sampling and assistance to countries with preparing budget, field plans and training of counterparts, data analysis and report writing. He/she will be responsible for liaising with other technical partners on any development or revision to existing statistical processes, procedures, methodologies and system used in Household Income and Expenditure Surveys (HIES) or Population Census to ensure these are fit for purpose in the context of adopting a more harmonised system of data collection in the Pacific.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
1. Playing a lead role in the development of statistical processes, procedures, methodologies and systems pertaining primarily to HIES and Population Census
· Ensure current statistical processes, procedures, methodologies and system pertaining primarily to HIES and Population Census are fit for purpose in the context of providing a harmonised data collection platform in the Pacific.
· Make sure harmonised statistical approaches and procedures, primarily on HIES and Population Census, are endorsed by the Pacific Statistics Methods Board and adopted by most PICT member countries.
· Inform member countries on all revisions and/or new development in relation to statistical processes, procedures, methodologies and system pertaining primarily to HIES and Population Census.
2. Improve statistical practices within the region, with an emphasis on improved survey operations and associated capacity building, to ensure that documentation on statistical processes, procedures, methodologies and systems, especially on HIES and Population Census, are kept up-to-date and key stakeholders are well informed
· Strengthen capacity of NSO staff in the conduct of surveys through technical assistance and training in survey design, operations and analysis.
· Coordinate and support all submissions to the Pacific Statistics Methods Board on statistical processes, procedures, methodologies and system used in HIES and Population Census to ensure these are in line with international best practices.
· Document strategies on ways to improve survey operations in the region and to inform Pacific Statistics Methods Board and member countries.
3. Ensure that quality HIES data are available and reported on in a timely manner for dissemination
· Acquire all HIES final datasets from member countries, ensure they are properly documented with metadata and archived within the Pacific Data Hub – Microdata Library; Data License Agreements for dissemination of microdata are in place with member countries.
· Support the Data Analysis and Dissemination Team as well as SDD data dissemination program.
4. Contributing to effective SDD team environment and SPC corporate activities
· In collaboration with SDD team members, develop and implement a multi-year programme in line with TYPSS Pacific Statistics Action Plan Phase 3 priorities, and SDD multi-year and multi-country data collection programme.
· Contribute to effective cross-programme collaboration and willingness to work with other SDD program colleagues.
5. Contributing to SDD System Leader function/external stakeholder engagement, partnership and collaboration
· Closely work with technical partners on all aspect of HIES and Population Census method, system and procedure.
· SDD and the region are professionally represented as necessary in international meetings, workshops and technical working groups.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
1. Qualifications
· Master degree in statistics OR a similar relevant discipline e.g. mathematics or econometrics.
2. Technical expertise
· Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in population census and household survey methodology, systems and procedure.
· Broad statistical experience, particularly in the design and conduct of sample surveys and related areas of official statistics.
· Proven ability and experience in delivering statistical training, through both one-on-one technical collaboration and in formal workshop settings programmes.
· Computer Literacy, in particular as it relates to data processing (Stata, CSPro) and statistical analysis (R).
3. Language skills
· Strong communication skills.
· Fluency in English, and working knowledge of French, in order to be able to deliver assistance to French speaking territories.
4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
· Demonstrated capacity to work with people from different technical skills and cultural backgrounds.
· Commitment to a teamwork-based approach to achieving programme and organisational goals.
· Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.
Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.
Remuneration – the Statistics Advisor (Census & Survey) is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,113–5,045 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 602,042–738,463 (USD 5,717–7,012; EUR 5,045–6,188). 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 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 faire, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, 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 begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
How to apply:
Application procedure
Closing date: 26th of September2021 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time
Job Reference: AL000420
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 (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):
What are some challenges with implementing household income and expenditure surveys in the Pacific region? Please consider all aspects from planning, field work management, data processing, analysis and dissemination.
Please summarise some recent methodological developments with respect to the collection of consumption data through household income and expenditure surveys, with particular reference to recent developments in the Pacific region.
What are the main uses of household income and expenditure survey data and what are some constraints with their use, particularly with respect to disaggregated analysis required by the Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., reporting on the situation of vulnerable groups, such as children, women and people with disability).