Job Description

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• 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 organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The vision of the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) is to be ‘The agency for educational quality in the Pacific region’. Its mission is to enhance the quality of education and training for Pacific learners, so they realize the benefits of lifelong learning. EQAP seeks to promote the following core values within the context of SPC’s corporate values:

• a culture of quality;
• a culture of continuous improvement;
• cultural and political sensitivity;
• respect for the autonomy and priorities of the education system in each Pacific Island country and territory (PICTs); and
• assimilation of the expressed needs of countries in its delivery of technical services.

The role – Educational Assessment Specialist – Secondary Assessment will manage the regional qualification administered by EQAP as well as enhance the development, implementation and reporting of Outcomes-based assessment at the secondary level in member countries.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Management of the regional qualification (SPFSC)

• Overall responsible for the operations and coordination of the SPFSC Qualification, reporting regularly on the progress of achievements against the key outcomes.
• Responsible for the quality assurance and quality control process of the SPFSC qualification and its operations.
• Design and implement strategies for improving the validity and reliability of SPFSC qualification.
• Collaborate, communicate and work effectively with countries on all SPFSC related matters.
• Manage the scoring of examination scripts, pre-reconsideration and reconsideration processes.

Capacity building of curriculum and assessment officers on outcomes-based assessment  

• Coordinate and supervise the professional activities and services delivered under the Outcomes-based assessment initiative.
• Manage the overall implementation of the Outcomes-based assessment initiative in countries.
• Responsible for the quality assurance and quality control process embedded in the Outcomes-based assessment initiative.
• Provide professional advice to member countries in line with the Outcomes-based assessment initiative objectives.

Management of national examinations

• Co-facilitate training of MoE staff and national examiners and moderators on item development.
• Conduct moderation or internal review of allocated subjects for national examinations.
• Provide effective professional guidance and input for the development of IA tasks and scoring guides for national assessments.
• Lead the unpacking of learning outcomes of allocated subjects for countries requesting a transition to PacSIMS.

Financial management

• Prepare a draft budget for SPFSC to cover approved activities for each year.
• Oversee the preparation of invoices to countries and schools for SPFSC.
• Manage funds allocated specifically for various activities in SPFSC.
• Work closely with EQAP Finance Team Leader, on financial matters relating to SPFSC.

People management

• Develop and monitor the contract for the Country Program Support Officer (CPSO) based in Kiribati.
• Create an environment which encourages the resolution of performance issues.
• Create a team environment to develop an effective working relationship between the CPSO, EQAP, Kiribati Ministry of Education.
• Manage and monitor the performance and workload of the CPSO to ensure effective and timely administration of the SPFSC and reporting requirements.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A post graduate qualification in a major teaching area of formal education or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of teaching at secondary level
• Substantial practical experience in designing and writing assessment tasks and setting and moderating exams at both school and national levels.
• Substantial knowledge and experience of current assessment methodologies and issues.
• Substantial knowledge and experience in outcomes-based assessment and reporting.
• At least 3 years of experience in a position of responsibility specific to high stakes assessment.
• Substantial knowledge of current Pacific and international teacher education issues.
• Substantial knowledge and competency of advanced information technology tools, including word processing, spreadsheets and database.
• Experience in writing analytical reports.
• Ability to work towards and meet multiple deadlines.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Educational Assessment Specialist – Secondary Assessment is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,703‒3,379 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,137–10,171 (USD 3,596-4,494; EUR 3,311-4,139). 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 Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 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: 26 October 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000120

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.

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. Describe the key benefits and potential limitations of using the outcomes-based assessment approach for the Pacific Form Seven regional qualification and/or national qualifications.
2. Provide a brief overview of the key elements involved in quality assurance for the senior secondary assessment process.
3. Outline how you stay current with best practices, emerging trends and innovations in outcomes-based assessment methodologies.

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