Job Description

• Noumea or Suva-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 )’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 – Social (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) will shape and lead SDD’s work program to strengthen the production, availability, analysis and use of social statistics, including gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) statistics, for Pacific Island countries and territories, including guiding statistical production, and providing statistical technical support and training.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Development and improvement of methods, processes and systems relating to official social statistics, including gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI)

• Methods in the Pacific relating to the role’s specialist area improve materially over time 
• SPC is increasingly recognised as a successful leader promoting good practice in the Pacific with regards to this specialist area 
• This role is documenting and disseminating improved methods through commissioned works, guidance notes and other publications that are well researched and founded in evidence and duly consulted on, quality assured and approved e.g. by the Pacific Statistics Methods Board. 
• Well designed and run programs of work are implemented to improve Pacific social, gender and disability statistics in partnership with countries, development partners, and relevant SPC Divisions
• Progress in the development of social and GEDSI statistics and indicators is periodically reviewed and reported across countries
• SDD and region are represented professionally in international technical working groups etc. regarding gender, disability, human rights and social statistics
• Regular liaison and technical collaboration are fostered and maintained with key technical partners (including UNW, UNICEF, ABS, ADB, UNESCAP, UN Stats, Stats NZ, PIFS, MSG, SIAP, USP)

Analysis of data and communications relating to social and GEDSI areas, including developing appropriate knowledge products, country statistical releases, etc

• SPC or its partners produce, analyse and disseminate social statistics, that are of a high quality and use relevant international standards (e.g. the indicators for Sustainable Development Goals)
• Statistics and indicators are compiled into national, sub-regional and regional statistics tables and indicators disseminated through the Pacific Data Hub
• Analytical reports, fact sheets and other knowledge products are developed for the Pacific region and countries using GEDSI statistics and indicators

Capacity supplementation and development in the form of technical assistance, training and support for all areas of the statistical process relating to the role's focus area

• Staff from SPC, national statistics offices and relevant staff in line ministries trained in collection, processing and/or analysis of data relating to the role’s specialist area 
• Relationships with key stakeholders – in member countries, donors, implementation partners and universities – are positive. 
• A tangible contribution is made to progress in the countries and territories SPC is working with towards strengthened capacity to analyse and understand social issues in the role’s area of specialisation. 
• Partnership and collaboration is maintained with other agencies and relationships with key stakeholders – in member countries, donors, implementation partners and universities – are positive.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in statistics, data science, gender, development studies or other academic discipline related to the role or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in official statistics or related areas
• Strong understanding of Pacific and/or international GEDSI statistics and issues
• Strong skills and demonstrated experience with the production, analysis and interpretation of census, survey and administrative data related to gender, disability and human rights
• Understanding of the importance of statistics and data for policy development and planning, including for sustainable development goals
• Good understanding of the challenges developing countries (particularly small island states) face in the collection, production, analysis and use of official statistics

Language skills

• Excellent oral and written English language communication, and competence in writing and delivering technical reports and presentations

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Demonstrated ability to work with people from different national and cultural backgrounds

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 – Social (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale.

For a Noumea based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,206-5,161 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 614,756-734,386 (USD 5,594-6,865; EUR 5,152-6,322). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

For a Suva based position – a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,303–11,629 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,786–4,732).  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.

Benefits for international staff employees – SPC provides a housing allowance (or 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 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 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: 30 March 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000384

Applicants must apply online at

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. Please share your experience in the collection, processing, analysis and/or dissemination of statistics on gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI).
2. Which area(s) of GEDSI statistics are you specialised in? Provide examples of how you show your thought leadership in this area.
3. Provide an example of your experience in building capability for statistics production and use. What strategies did you use, what challenges did you face, and how did you overcome these challenges?

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