Data Architect

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) is based in SPC’s headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia. The division employs approximately 20 staff, all of whom are all based in Noumea. 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 –**This appointment will be made at either theband 10 orthe band 11level, depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. The Data Architect will develop and maintain SDMX data structures and other metadata supporting statistical dissemination in the Pacific Data Hub .STAT platform. The role involves collaborating with internal and external stakeholders regarding data modelling and data documentation, developing semantic assets fostering data interoperability, and supporting the setup of corporate data modelling and metadata management methodologies and infrastructure.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Ways of working

• Ensure a demonstrable contribution as an individual and team-member to the organisational objectives in the division business plan.

Data modelling and interoperability

• Model statistical datasets according to the SDMX standard in collaboration with data owners, ensuring alignment with global best practices.
• Harmonize actions for data structures identified and implemented, aiming to enhance interoperability and consistency across datasets within the Pacific Data Hub .STAT database.
• Provide services in data architecture and data modelling, ensuring adherence to the established standards and promoting effective data management practices.
• Collaborate with other components of the Pacific Data Hub to ensure semantic interoperability and seamless integration of data and systems.

Metadata management (structural and referential metadata)

• Manage concepts and codelists used in PDH.STAT, ensuring their alignment with global standards.
• Map from miscellaneous data sources to the Pacific Data Hub .STAT data structures.
• Ensure metadata completeness, accuracy and consistency for different type of data (re-)disseminated on .STAT.
• Support Metadata reengineering projects.
• Ensures different types of metadata are accessible to users through various channels.
• Monitor metadata accessibility and perform metadata quality analyses feeding the periodic overall quality assessment of PDH .STAT content.

Standardisation and data governance

• Ensure implementation of open data principles supported within SDD and the region.
• Support data governance initiatives.
• Participate in SDMX standards and guidelines development, contributing expertise and insights to shape the future of data standardisation and interoperability.
• Define requirements for corporate and regional metadata registries to be setup as part of the PDH.STAT infrastructure.

External support and partnership

• Establish strong collaborations with external stakeholders, particularly National Statistical Organisations (NSOs).
• Collaborate with NSOs to identify and address data interoperability challenges, facilitating seamless data exchange within the Pacific Data Hub .STAT platform and other statistical systems.
• Provide training and capacity-building sessions on data modelling, data governance, and metadata management for NSO staff and relevant stakeholders.
• Support NSOs in implementing open data principles and best practices for transparency, accessibility, and usability of data.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree for the band 10 level, and a master’s degree for the band 11 level, in science, data science, statistics, or a related field, level or equivalent combination of degree and work experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years is desirable for the band 10 level, and 10 years is desirable for the band 11 level, of working experience related to data modelling and metadata management, ideally in the context of statistical organisations.
• Experience with SDMX standards and tools.
• Experience in master data management, operating metadata registries or setting up corporate-level semantic assets.
• Good knowledge of open data principles, practices and tools.

Language skills

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• A team player, with the ability to work in a multi-diverse and multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

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 – Appointment for the Data Architectwill be made at either the band 11 level in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,206-5,161 per month which converts to approximately XPF 622,159-763,470 (USD 5,594-6,865; EUR 5,214-6,398) ; or at the band 10 level in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,568–4,364 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 527,770–645,457 (USD 4,745–5,804; EUR 4,423–5,409). 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 is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides 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 matching 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.