Statistics Officer / Adviser (Civil Registration and Vital Statistics)

• 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’s (SDD) 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 Officer /Adviser (CRVS) will support Pacific Island Countries and Territories in strengthening civil registration practice and the production of vital statistics collection, including registration of birth, deaths, marriages and other vital events, and the certification, coding and reporting on causes of death.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Regional CRVS Coordination and Technical Assistance

• Contribute to SPC being recognised as a successful leader promoting good practice in the Pacific with regards to CRVS.
• Ensure that regional developments in CRVS are advanced through well planned, widely-owned, up-to-date, well evaluated and coordinated frameworks such as the Action Plan for Pacific CRVS under the Brisbane Accord Group (BAG).
• Provide support in partnership with other agencies and through country CRVS committees, to respond to improvements such as a regional medical certification of causes of death, business process mapping or development of action plans.
• Identify opportunities for regional-level collaboration and peer-peer capacity building.
• Ensure relationships with key stakeholders – in member countries, donors, and implementation partners – are positive.

Administrative Data Systems Strengthening

• Lead or support the design and delivery of various sorts training initiatives national counterparts on relevant administrative data systems and leads to tangible increases in capability.
• Give specialist support and advice to assist countries to review and make informed decisions about upgrading IT systems, processes and legislation relating to CRVS and population registries, with active engagement with partners and demonstrable progress

Strengthened Vital Statistics

• Achieve improvements in data management, processing, analysis and publication of data from civil registration systems.
• Train staff from relevant ministries in how to produce standard vital statistics measures.
• Undertake and publish analysis of vital statistics and cause of death data for at least two countries.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Masters level qualifications in public administration, health, statistics, data science or other academic discipline related to the role or equivalent body of knowledge and experience for the Statistics Adviser level.
• Degree in public management, health, statistics, data science or other academic discipline related to the role or equivalent body of knowledge and experience for the Statistics Officer level.

Technical expertise

• Relevant experience in civil registration, vital statistics, health information or related areas. 10 years’ experience is desirable for the Statistics Adviser level and 7 years’ experience is desirable for the Statistics Officer level.
• Knowledge and experience of at least two of: registration of life events; health information systems; medical certification and/or coding; data processing; and/or analysis.
• Experience in designing and delivering training for professionals.
• A good understanding of the challenges developing countries (particularly small island states) face, in the collection, management and analysis of administrative records. 

Language skills

• Excellent oral and written English language communication. 

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 until 31 December 2027 and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – Appointment will be made at either the Statistics Adviser (CRVS) level band 11 in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,091-3,864 per month, which converts to approximately FJD 9,211–11,513 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,831–4,789) or the Statistics Officer (CRVS) level band 9 in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 2,284-2,856 per month, which converts to approximately FJD 6,808–8,509 (USD 3,038–3,798; EUR 2,832–3,540). 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 to one of these positions will be made, dependent on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate in relation to the criteria as outlined above. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of the relevant range, with due consideration being given to qualifications and experience. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.

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 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 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.

Application procedure

Closing date: 5 January 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: SH000360

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.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

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. Briefly describe your experience with civil registration and vital statistics
2. Briefly describe your experience in communicating technical issues to non-technical stakeholders
3. What are some of the current issues in birth and death registration that are important for the Pacific?

Position Description