Educational Assessment Officer – Lower Secondary

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 realise 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 Educational Assessment Officer – Lower Secondary willbe responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the PacREF related assessment activities in the Pacific Island countries and territories. This role will also support intervention and enrichment projects conducted by EQAP teams.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Coordinate the design and development of large-scale regional assessment for lower secondary

• Support with the development of appropriate structures, and processes to ensure the successful design and development of the Lower Secondary assessment to the region
• Assist with a consensus approach to collaboratively design and develop the Lower Secondary instruments that are aligned (to the Regional Benchmarks for the Regional Assessments and to the national Curriculum for the National Assessments) to produce reliable and valid data on student Lower Secondary standards

Assist with capacity building with counterparts in PICTs on principles and skills of instrumentation

• Support the development of training programs to build capacity within the Assessment units in countries to improve their delivery of Lower Secondary assessments in the region
• Assist with the training of assessment officers on principles and skills of instrumentation to improve the assessment of Lower Secondary

Support the development of monitoring tools to monitor standards of learning and achievements in lower secondary by PICTs in order to develop sound intervention strategies

• Support the reporting on the design of instruments
• Assist with the reporting on counterpart training strategies that are instituted to enhance the assessment capacity of EQAP counterparts

Support projects that target literacy and numeracy intervention within the region

• Develop strategies and teaching approaches that are effective in scaffolds learning in primary as well as lower secondary settings
• Design and develop intervention strategies to address needed improvements in Primary and Numeracy skills that are evident from the results of the PILNA (Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment)

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree with a teaching qualification in literacy, mathematics, or related content area at a secondary level

Technical Expertise

• At least 5 years of experience working in the area of secondary education with at least 2 years working in the area of assessment and using assessment to improve student outcomes
• Experience in building teamwork, initiative and ability to adhere to strict multiple timelines
• Experience in negotiating with, and training adults from different ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds
• Experience in data gathering, analysis, interpretation and reporting
• Knowledge of current Pacific and international teacher education issues
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative and productive work environment with teammates

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 – This vacant position is budgeted for 12 months

Remuneration – The Educational Assessment Officer – Lower Secondary is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 1,994‒2,493 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 5,883–7,354 (USD 2,852–3,565; EUR 2,393–2,991). 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.