Data Visualisation and Outreach Adviser

Job Description

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)’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 – The Data Visualisation and Outreach Adviser will support evidence-based decision-making by transforming complex data into accessible insights through analysis and visualisation; Promote data literacy and use across the Pacific through targeted outreach, capacity building and advocacy initiatives including the Pacific Data Viz Challenge.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Data Analysis, Visualisation, and Communication

• Develop and maintain user-oriented data visualisation tools, primarily using Power BI and R Shiny, and co-designed with subject-matter experts to enhance stakeholder understanding and support policy decision-making.
• Produce statistics and indicators using appropriate statistical methods with respect to international best practices and standards.
• Use R or Python code in undertaking analysis and ensure developing visualisations are accessible in GitHub repositories and results are reproducible
• Engage content such as “Stat of the Week” and develop and share other data-driven stories, contributing to increased public awareness and outreach.

Advice, technical assistance, training and support

• Provide timely and useful responses to member country and other user requests for assistance with data visualisation.
• Deliver tailored, hands-on training sessions and mentoring in data visualisation, dashboard development, and analytical storytelling with strong participant engagement and relevance to local context.
• Provide ongoing technical support to country stakeholders and SPC divisions, leading to increased adoption of best practices in data analysis, interpretation, and communication.
• Ensure a strong data culture is championed within SPC and across member countries and partners
• Maintain partnerships and collaborations, with positive and productive relationships established with key stakeholders, including member countries, donors, implementation partners, and universities.
• Work with the Pacific Data Hub innovation incubation service, higher education to ensure stakeholders are engaged to help identify students’ data visualisation needs and equip them with in-demand data literacy and storytelling skills relevant to today’s marketplace.

Pacific Data Viz Challenge

• Ensure the annual Pacific Dataviz Challenge is successfully planned, implemented, and evaluated end-to-end, aligning with the strategic priorities of the Statistics for Development Division (SDD) and the Pacific Data Hub (PDH).
• Represent the Challenge to diverse audiences, including through high-quality presentations at the official launch and awards ceremony.
• Coordinate high-level stakeholder engagement, with strong relationships maintained with strategic partners, sponsors, schools, and participating institutions.
• Lead communications and outreach strategy in collaboration with the communications specialist and project manager, resulting in strong media engagement, quality promotional materials, and increased visibility.
• Enhance data literacy and public engagement through inclusive, innovative, and impactful initiatives aligned with the objectives of the Challenge.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in statistics, finance, economics, computer science, data science or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 7-8 years of relevant experience in official statistics, economics, social development or related areas
• Analysis of complex household survey data and/or administrative data used for generating official statistics
• Experience with R or Python
• Comprehensive data visualisation experience
• Training and capacity development

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 funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Data Visualisation and Outreach Adviser is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,727-4,562 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 544,736-666,853 (USD 4,957-6,068; EUR 4,565-5,588). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will 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. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea – SPC provides housing support 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 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: 14 September 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000474

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. Describe your experience in developing interactive data visualisations, including data acquisition and preparation.
2. What in your experience are the biggest challenges (and means to overcome them) when developing effective data visualisations that support evidence-based decision-making in diverse cultural and technical contexts?
3. Describe your experience in designing and running outreach events, competitions, and/or capacity-building programmes to promote data literacy and data visualisation.

About the Organization

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.