Statistics Adviser (Data Systems)

• Noumea-based position
• 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 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 Statistics Adviser (Data Systems) will provide statistical expertise, technical support and contribute to capacity building related to development and management of data systems and the dissemination of key development indicators (including the Sustainable Development Goals). A key responsibility of the role will be managing the Pacific Data Hub.Stat platform ensuring adherence to the SDMX standard, building SDMX expertise, supporting dataset modelling and import, and collaborating with partners to harmonise statistical processes for effective data dissemination in the Pacific.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Ways of working

• Demonstrable contribution is made as an individual and team-member to the organisational or ‘ways of working’ objectives in the division business plan.
• SDD is recognised as the regional leader in maintaining and disseminating well structured, interoperable statistical indicator datasets.

PDH.Stat data integration

• The content of the PDH.Stat indicator database is expanded following requests expressed by users, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Datasets are modelled in collaboration with subject‐matter specialists and validated with them before publication.
• Data structures are implemented to enable data interoperability, structure components used in PDH.Stat make use of common concepts and code lists.
• Datasets have complete structural and referential metadata and adhere to the SDMX standard.
• Possibilities of enriching datasets and re‐using data as part of the PDH.Stat process are discussed with data owners.
• The STAT software platform is up to date and feedback on issues identified during testing or reported by users is provided to the OECD.
• Development partners are informed of PDH.Stat and understand how to access data.

Improve data exchange and dissemination within SDD and in the region

• Opportunities for improving statistical dissemination are identified and presented to SDD colleagues.
• Standardisation of data exchange between SDD and member countries is promoted internally and externally and piloted with National Statistics Offices.
• Proposals are made regarding best‐practices and standards for statistical data exchange and dissemination.
• Data harvesting processes are developed and maintained to enable re-dissemination of Pacific data collected from partner agencies.
• Upon request indicators are produced from microdata for PDH.Stat and accompanied with appropriate metadata.
• Communication and training material on PDH.Stat/SDMX targeting SPC and National Statistics Offices is produced and maintained.

Support and partnerships

• Strong partnerships and collaborations established with external stakeholders, especially National Statistical Offices (NSOs), to understand their needs, challenges, and priorities in statistical data exchange and statistical dissemination.
• Expert guidance and support provided to member NSOs in standardising statistical data and metadata reporting.
• Act as a key liaison between the Statistics for Development Division (SDD) and external partners.
• Contribution to workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing events to promote best practices and facilitate mutual learning among NSOs and the Pacific Data Hub programme.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Either a Master’s degree in statistics, economics or a related discipline with strong data management experience; or a Master’s degree in IT with strong data and official statistics experience.

 Technical expertise

• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience as either:
• A subject-matter specialist (in economic statistics such as international trade, balance of payments, national and financial accounts and business statistics; or social statistics, such as labour force statistics, population statistics, education statistics and general wellbeing statistics); or
• An IT/data specialist (who has experience working with official statistics or a related discipline).
• Experience using SDMX and implementing data-management best-practices.
• Broad statistical experience, particularly in general statistical concepts, data collection and analysis techniques.
• Database and data-warehousing experience.
• Experience in professional training and staff development, including the planning and running of technical workshops.
• Experience with data processing and statistical analysis tools e.g. Python, R, Stata, CSPro, SPSS.

Language skills

• English language proficiency, and competence in writing and delivering technical reports and presentations.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• A team player, with the ability to work in a multi-diverse and multi-cultural environment.

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 Statistics Adviser (Data Systems) is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2023 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,206-5,161 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 637,132-781,844 (USD 5,636-6,916; EUR 5,339-6,552). 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 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.

Application procedure

Closing date: 28 January 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000172

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):

1. Describe your experience with managing and implementing data systems, specifically mentioning any work you've done with SDMX standards and data interoperability.
2. What are the key elements of a high-quality data model in a statistical database and what would be your quality assurance approach in this area ?
3. What challenges have you faced when manipulating and analysing data that comes in both structured and unstructured formats? Please provide an example of how you overcame these challenges in a past role.