SENIOR COMPUTER PROGRAMMER/ANALYST Ref: 14-57 Grade: Band 11 Salary range: SDR 2,719-3,399 per month Closing date: 15 September 2014 Location: Suva, Fiji Duration: 3 years SPC invites applications for the position of Senior Computer Programmer/Analyst with the Secretariat of the Pacific Board for Educational Assessment, located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji. The programme – The Secretariat of the Pacific Board for Educational Assessment (SPBEA) is a programme of SPCs Education, Training and Human Development Division based in Suva, Fiji. It provides technical support for educational assessment. It has 35 staff: 15 internationally recruited and 20 locally recruited. It is currently responsible for managing three projects funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: the Pacific Benchmarking for Education Results (PaBER) Program, the Pacific Register of Qualifications and Standards Project, and the Improving the Assessment of Literacy and Numeracy across the Pacific (L & N Project). The role – The purpose of this role is to identify, conceptualise and develop innovative and practical IT solutions to respond to current educational needs of SPBEAs member countries. The Senior Computer Programmer/Analyst will also manage and oversee the ICT needs of SPBEA and ensure that quality ICT support is given to all staff and member countries in a timely manner. Other key responsibilities will encompass the following key result areas: • Software maintenance – Determine the programme needs of SPBEA in consultation with its member countries and ensuring that documentation on the use of software is regularly updated. • Communication tools – Ensure that all communication tools used to remotely support member countries are up-to-date. • Website maintenance – Monitor and liaise with all SPBEA sections on website update requirements. • Provision of ICT support to member countries – Maintain good communications with all sections within SPBEA as well as member countries so as to identify and analyse their programming needs. Provide advice on the needs of sections, as well as member states, based on analysis of their programming needs. • Software development to support key sections – Lead the SPBEA Programming Team in the design of programmes or applications from the specifications developed during analysis of section requirements. Ensure processes adopted are documented. Assess the status of current software and identify and recommend necessary reviews and procurements. • Capacity building – Supervise the work of the SPBEA Programming Team and conduct appraisal and evaluation of their performance. Mentor the team to ensure that all outputs are maximised and areas for development are identified as part of professional development. Provide ongoing training and capacity building to the team on the use of all in-house software and the development of new programmes and their implementation. Work closely with the SPBEA Assessment Division to build and improve IT capacity of member countries and the application of IT in the area of assessment management. • Coordinating the scanning processes – Ensure design of answer templates is in accordance with SPBEA requirements and specifications. Monitor and regularly review the scanning software and hardware to ensure that verification of documents and other requirements is done. The profile - The Senior Computer Programmer/Analyst will possess a high level of combined experience in computer programming and software development, together with relevant working knowledge of software and systems analysis. He/she will have excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, as well as the ability to manage, lead and mentor a technical team. The Senior Computer Programmer/Analyst will have the ability to work independently on a regular basis but have the skills to foster and encourage collaboration within the SPC ICT section. He/she will have a proactive approach to identifying and overcoming challenges pertaining to the extensive scope of the position’s responsibilities. The Senior Computer Programmer/Analyst will have proven ability to liaise and work with different cultures and demonstrate strengths in developing and maintaining customer-based relationships. Key Selection Criteria 1. Qualifications A bachelors degree in computer science with programming as a major component 2. Technical expertise A minimum of five years experience in computer programming, software development and implementation. A proven track record of efficient and effective software development in an educational environment. Strong training skills required to improve and increase experience of software development and implementation within the programming team. Proven ability to lead and manage a team, and conduct performance training and professional development. The capacity to read existing software and to redevelop or expand the functioning capacity. Excellent knowledge of the following programming languages: C#, ASP.Net, JavaScript, JQuery, VB6, HTML5 and CSS. Proven ability to create in-depth reporting using Crystal Reporting and good working knowledge and experience in using SQL Server 2008 and MS Access databases. Experience of ATLAS, STALLION, SMITE, TITAN and SMART software will be an advantage. 3. Educational assessment experience A proven capacity to take technical concepts in education and education assessment, and translate supporting structures into functioning software. Strong communication skills that facilitate discussion with educational assessment officers on the type of software required across key areas of SPBEA. Experience in working in an educational assessment institution is desirable. International work experience will also be an advantage. 4. Language skills An excellent command of both written and spoken English is required, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage. 5. Cultural awareness Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, with particular knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage. Remuneration – The Senior Computer Programmer/Analyst is a Band 11 position within SPC’s 2014 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,719–3,399 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,603–9,505 (USD 4,164–5,206; EUR 3,061–5,206). 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 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, however, be subject to income tax. Benefits – SPC provides subsidised housing in Suva. An establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum, life insurance, 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. As an equal-opportunity employer, SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories. Application procedure – Please use SPC’s online recruitment system to lodge your application: spc.int/job.html Please note it is not possible to start your application via the online system, save it and return to complete it later. Therefore it is strongly recommended for you to prepare all documents and required information prior to start lodging your application. If you cannot access the online recruitment system, please apply by: → email: [email protected] → fax: + 687 26 38 18 For your application to be considered, you are required to provide us with: ⇒ an updated resume; ⇒ at least three referees [include name / title / relationship / contact details]; and ⇒ a cover letter with your responses to the following tasks: 1. Describe your experience in software development within an educational environment. Provide an example of a software currently in operation that you developed or that you have been involved in developing. 2. What do you think are the main IT challenges facing Pacific countries with regard to their educational needs? 3. Describe your experience in managing and mentoring an ICT team. Describe a major challenge you faced and how you handled it. 4. Describe any significant ICT training experience you have been involved in. What was your role? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome those challenges? Important note: Please ensure your documents are in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 06:45:39 +0000
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