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 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 headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia. The division employs approximately 20 staff, all of whom are all based in Noumea. SDD’s goal is to help the Pacific Island Countries and Territories achieve “highly competent and sustainable national statistics systems that meet national and international statistics needs for evidence-based policy, planning and monitoring.” SDD has a regional statistical system leadership and coordination role; and also supports the region directly in data infrastructure, collection, statistical methodology, analysis and dissemination.
The role –the Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Adviser is responsible for strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation and analysis for the Pacific Data Hub and the Statistics for Development Division and its priority projects, as well as for supporting members and partners implementing the Strategic Framework for Pacific Statistics 2022-2030.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Ways of working
- Contribute as an individual and team-member to the organisational objectives in the division business plan.
Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) for PDH, SDD and priority projects
- Ensure PDH, SDD and priority projects have Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plans in place in line with project design.
- Facilitate through project level planning and reflection sessions the development and revision of PDH, SDD and priority projects’ theories of change.
- Collaborate with stakeholders, including project steering committees, donors, MERL teams and SPC member.
- Manage monitoring of implementation of projects and activities to ensure planned results and milestones are being met.
- Support evaluation and learning processes for priority PDH and SDD projects.
- Develop learning-focused M&E frameworks in PDH and SDD in accordance with donor/SPC procedures and in consultation with stakeholders.
Manage SDD’s contribution to SPC-wide Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reflection and Learning
- Facilitate SDD divisional results reporting.
- Review and update divisional KRAs and results framework, in line with the SPC Strategic Plan.
- Deliver high-quality performance reports for SDD for external and internal accountability and learning needs.
- Actively participate in SPC’s MELNET community of practice, including contributing to a shared work programme
- Ensure training and capacity development is provided to SDD and PDH staff on monitoring, evaluation and learning.
SDD strategic planning and priority project planning and coordination
- Develop multi-year work program in collaboration with SDD Director and Managers in line with NSO priorities.
- Provide strategic inputs to concept notes and project design reviews related to the SDD and PDH projects.
- Ensure annual work planning and workplan tracking is undertaken for priority projects.
- Provide sound and timely advice to the SDD Director, Managers, and technical project and programme leads as required.
- Support resource mobilisation initiatives effectively through strategic advice, particularly on MEL frameworks.
- Support Project Steering Committees and governance groups.
- Collate regular project status report and SDD results reports.
- Contribute to the improvement and harmonisation of project systems, tools, and processes within SDD.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- A Postgraduate degree in a relevant field such as business administration, international development, evaluation, statistics, or public sector policy.
Technical expertise
- At least 7 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, with understanding of international best practices in a wide range of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods and data analysis.
- Experience in facilitating design, reflection, learning and planning processes.
- Experience doing “systems level” MEL for complex projects and programs.
- Knowledge of the design and implementation of MEL frameworks, data collection tools, and reporting and consolidating data
- Experience using databases and systems for visualising, entering, processing/cleaning and extracting data, including experience with web-based monitoring and reporting systems.
- Strategic and systemic thinker with well-developed analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail.
- Experience in strategic planning, consultation processes, and the development of monitoring systems.
Language skills
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- A team player, with the ability to work in a multi-diverse and multi-cultural environment.
- 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.
Remuneration– The Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Adviser is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,568–4,364 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 540,472–660,991 (USD 4,781–5,847; EUR 4,529–5,539). 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 is 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 fair, 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: 3 September 2023 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: CR000067
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.
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):
- What are the main approaches and frameworks you rely on for strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation and why?
- How have you developed and maintained partnerships and collaboration to enable joint planning and gather MEL information for a specific project or objective within a project?
- Describe your understanding, experience and ability in designing and running monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) systems and databases using both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.