Programme Lead - Civil Registry and Vital Statistics (CRVS)

• 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 Programme Lead – Civil Registry and Vital Statistics (CRVS) will lead SPC and the region’s efforts to strengthen civil registration and other administrative systems in Pacific island countries and territories, to improve the production of vital statistics relating to births, deaths and other civil status events pertaining to population estimates.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Internal leadership

• Develop the SPC Work programme relating to CRVS and ensure it is well designed, consistent with regional CRVS plans, the Strategic Framework for Pacific Statistics and SDD Business Plan, and available to guide the work of Advisers, Officers and Analysts in SDD, Pacific Data Hub and Public Health division.
• Make sure Advisers, Officers and Analysts working on CRVS-related issues have a vibrant culture contributing to productivity and innovation.
• Ensure relevant colleagues provide feedback that – when balanced with other information – suggests that technical and programme leadership in CRVS is strong
• Provide tangible support to the divisional leadership team’s management and direction of the division.
• Contribute to integrated ways of working across SPC, including Flagships, Communities of Practice and integrated programmes.

Regional CRVS leadership and coordination

• Ensure SPC is seen as a successful leader in regional CRVS by members of the Brisbane Accord Group and by member Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs).
• Produce regularly high quality, relevant and influential regional CRVS strategies and action plans with SPC facilitation.
• Make sure donors and development partners coordinate assistance well and SPC is an important facilitator of this coordination.

Technical assistance, advice and capacity building

• Ensure PICT members regularly seek SPC support for CRVS strategies, action plans and change programmes because they see SPC as providing high quality advice and technical assistance.
• Ensure colleagues report positively on the technical assistance, advice and capacity building this Programme Lead provides.
• Improve the quality of CRVS operations in PICT members and ensure SPC is making a tangible contribution.

Stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization

• Establish positive relationships with key stakeholders – in member countries, donors, and implementation partners.
• Make sure public speaking, writing and media engagement leads to positive feedback and growing trust and understanding of issues in areas relevant to the role
• Ensure constructive discussions are held with possible donors, leads are followed up and where necessary and possible business cases generated and approved

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Masters degree in administration, public health, statistics, demography, epidemiology (or other academic discipline related to substantive work of the Statistics for Development Division).

Technical expertise

• 12+ years of relevant experience including 5+ in a senior role (management, or influential technical leadership), with strong relationship management and engagement skills and success in leadership positions
• Specialist experience in at least one of:

Strategic leadership of national CRVS systems,

Analysis of mortality and fertility data including adjusting for under-reporting and data management

Database development or administration for national CRVS systems or identity systems

• Experience in designing and delivering training for professionals
• A good understanding of the challenges developing countries (particularly small island states) face, in the management of civil registries and the collection, production and use of official statistics. 

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 for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Programme Lead – Civil Registry and Vital Statistics (CRVS) is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,565‒4,456 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,623–13,279 (USD 4,741–5,927; EUR 4,419–5,524). 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 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: 1 December 2024 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: KK000065

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. Briefly outline your experience in civil registration or vital statistics roles
2. Briefly outline your most relevant experience as a programme or organisational leader
3. What do you see as the key opportunities for improving civil registration and vital statistics in the Pacific?