A. HOW TO APPLY:
1. MAKING AN APPLICATION
a. For your application to be considered you must complete ALL requirements of the Application Package
➢ Complete and signed Application Form (Form 2)
➢ Certified Copies of all academic achievements/qualifications/training etc.
➢ Recently updated Curriculum Vitae (12 months)
➢ 3 Referees and their details i.e. (email addresses & phone numbers)
2. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
a. All applications should be addressed to:
The Chairman
Public Service Commission
Level 2, FMFM II Government Building
Apia, Samoa
b. Applications can be submitted using the following options;
• PSC Level 2 – FMFM II Government Building; OR
• Email at: [email protected]
c. All Applications for the position will be closed on 20th September, 2024 at 5:00pm
d. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Senior Executive Services on email [email protected] or telephone 22123.
A. SAMOA PUBLIC SERVICE
The Samoa Public Service is comprised of government entities which fall under the following categories; Constitutional Bodies, Statutory Bodies, Ministries and State-Owned Enterprises (Public Bodies).
B. ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE
Education and training is the Government’s key priority. It is a critical ingredient in the nation’s overall development of a creative, productive, democratic and caring society. A quality education system prepares citizens for changing roles in a dynamic social, economic and global technological environment that is constantly changing.
MANDATE
The Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) is mandated to carry out its duties and functions under the:
▪ Education Act 2009
▪ Teachers Act 2016
▪ Ministry of Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs Act 1993
C. ABOUT THE POSITION:
Responsible to the; - Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Education & Culture - Commissioner - Samoa Language Commission.
Primary Objective:
To be the administrative head of the Commission responsible for overseeing the effective and efficient execution of the Commission’s functions/directions of the Board under the Act.
Key Responsibilities:
Technical Duties & Responsibilities
- Initiate, develop, coordinate, review and advise upon and assist in implementation of policies, procedures, measures and practices designed to give effect to the declaration in section 5 of the Samoan Language Act as an official language of Samoa.
- Promote the Samoa Language across educational institutions as an ordinary means of communication.
- Coordinate consultations and spearhead research pertaining to policy development, publications and decisions on the Samoan Language.
- Finalize the Samoan Monolingual Dictionary.
- Responsible to facilitate and report all board meeting discussions and sessions.
- Provide interpretation and translation services.
- Carry out other functions conferred on the Samoa Language Commission under the Samoa Language Commission Act 2014 or any other Act.
- Perform all duties set out in the legislation governing and administered by the Commission and all other relevant and applicable legislation including the Public Finance Management Act 2001, Public Service Act 2004 and Cabinet Directives.
Policy Advisory & Reporting Role
- Provide quality policy advice to the Chief Executive Officer on all areas of the Commission’s mandate.
- Provide advice and support within the Ministry and across the public service on matters relating to the work of the Samoa Language Commissioner.
- Advice the Government and Parliament on Samoan language matters through the Minister. Ensure the Commission has the capabilities and supporting culture to enable the delivery of its mandate and corporate objectives.
- Submit to the responsible CEO the annual reports on the operations of the Commission no later than 3 months after the end of each financial year.
- Submit to the Public Service Commission the Human Resource Management Report of the Commission no later than 3 months after the end of each financial year.
- Report to the relevant Chief Executive Officer upon any matter relating to the Samoan language that the Minister may refer to the Commission for its advice.
- Report to the Board on any contract, agreement or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Commission since the last meeting of the board.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Monitor development or changes in the Samoan language.
- Monitor and advise the implementation of its mandated Policies and Plans.
Leadership and Management
- Actively participate as part of the Leadership and Core Executive Management Team in the decision-making and governance processes of the organization.
- Lead and role-model the Public Service Values for team members, organization and wider Public Service.
- Provide on the job support and coaching as well as training for team members to ensure their continuous professional development.
- Ensure that effective performance management and evaluation processes are undertaken for all staff within the Commission.
- Lead and manage the core functions of the Commission in order to foster quality assurance and ethical standards of all services and be accountable for the effective and efficient usage of resources.
- Assist in the development and implementation of the following Reports/Plans:
a) Workforce Plan
b) Corporate Plan
c) Management Plan
d) Annual Reports
e) Performance Management Plans/Appraisals
f) And any other relevant Plan/Reports
- Identify priority budgetary requirements for the Commission’s annual submission of performance measures and budgetary provisions and manage the Commission’s finances in line with prevailing policies and mandates.
- Mentor, support and coach team members on-the-job and share institutional knowledge on work related policies, practices and procedures.
- Collaborate with other Divisions to develop training resources and materials on relevant technical trainings for staff.
- Represent the Ministry and Commission in local and international forums when required.
- Assist with the implementation of the Talofa with a Smile Campaign initiatives to promote and enhance good customer service as directed by the Office of the Public Service Commission.
- Act as Chief Executive Officer when required.
KEY DELIVERABLES:
- Develop policies to highlight the following in relation to the Samoa Language Act;
- Language Standards
- Language Development
- Language in Education
- Finalize approval of the Regulatory Framework highlighting costs and fees of services offered by the Commission on Translations services and any work related to the Samoan Language.
- Finalize review of the Grammar Booklet “Tusi Gagana o le Gagana Samoa” to reflect the following.
- Demarcate Primary and Secondary Grammar
- Standards and usage of the Samoan Language
- In collaboration with the Education Sector Implementing Agencies discuss inclusion of the Samoa Language subjects as part of requirements/conditions for scholarship.
- Ensure successful implementation of Samoa Language Commission National Framework.
- Prepare proposal to PSC and Cabinet for the Samoa Language Commission to be set up as a standalone.
- Implement recommendations from the Public Service Review.
- Achievements of relevant activities and KPIs under the Sector, Corporate and Budget Plans annually.
SELECTION CRITERIA
MERITS: SKILLS AND ABILITIES
COMPETENCY: Strategic Thinking (Essential)
DESCRIPTOR:
- Recognizes impact of organization’s direction and role within the government and community.
- Understand the Ministry’s strategic direction and how the Division’s objectives will contribute to achieving these.
- Provides advice to Government based on analysis of a broad range of issues.
- Ability to think outside the box to ensure the Division’s objectives are achieved.
- Share ideas that contribute to the achievement of Division objectives.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Excellent report writing skills with the ability to develop relevant recommendation for effective decision making.
MERITS: SKILLS AND ABILITIES
COMPETENCY: Building and Sustaining Relationships (Essential)
DESCRIPTOR:
- Is committed to building and sustaining relationships with schools, Ministry, across the public service, with the public and other stakeholders.
- Welcomes constructive feedback and suggestions from stakeholders including teachers, principals and others in the education sector.
- Consults broadly to obtain buy-in, draws on knowledge of work partners and fosters teamwork and cooperation through sharing information.
- Capitalizes on diversity and harnesses different viewpoints to enhance the operations of the Ministry of Education and Culture particularly the Samoan Language Commission.
- Encourages and motivates people to engage in continuous learning and empowers them through delegation of responsibilities for work.
- Mentor, provides constructive feedback and recognizes success and engages in activities to sustain morale.
- Communicates with precision and confidence, clearly and in an articulate manner, adapts methods of communication.
- Adapts communication style and message to meet needs, has a strong grasp of key issues and presents a convincing and balanced rationale.
MERITS: SKILLS AND ABILITIES
COMPETENCY: Delivers/achieves results (Essential)
DESCRIPTOR:
- Is service delivery focus and supportive of initiatives to achieve the Ministry’s objectives.
- Diligently plan and execute targets to achieve expected outputs / outcomes.
- Focuses on activities that support organizational sustainability and streamlines processes to seek operational efficiency.
- Monitors and manages resourcing pressures for optimum outcomes.
- Oversees the implementation of multiple change initiatives with a focus on the desired outcomes. Defines high-level objectives and ensures translation into practical implementation strategies.
- Fosters a culture of achievement and ensure planned targets / projects are realistic.
MERITS: PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
COMPETENCY: Integrity (Essential)
DESCRIPTOR:
- Exhibits and applies high integrity and ethical principles.
- Is indisputably trusted and operates professionally.
- Act professionally in carrying out duties and responsibilities despite personal preferences.
- Adheres to and promotes the Samoan Public Service Values of honesty, impartiality, service,
MERITS: PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
COMPETENCY: Commitment/Personal Drive (Essential)
DESCRIPTOR:
- Committed and supports the strategic direction of the Commission and Ministry.
- Adopts a positive attitude towards work and colleagues.
- Carries out expected tasks with diligence. • Defines work in terms of results and pursues success with energy and drive.
- Anticipates obstacles and is prepared with contingency plans to sustain goals / objectives and keeps everyone on track.
- Helps others to define goals and plan a route for achievement.
- A high achiever with a reputation for success and quality performance.
- Sets high standards of performance for self and others.
MERITS: EXPERIENCE
COMPETENCY: Experience (Essential)
DESCRIPTOR:
- Relevant years’ experience • Strong Policy, Planning and Research experience
- In-depth knowledge of the Samoan Language.
- Experience in strategic planning, coordination of programmes, interpretation and translation skills particularly in the Samoan Language
MERITS: EXPERIENCE
COMPETENCY: Past Work Performance (Essential)
DESCRIPTOR:
- Proven track record of excellent performance from previous work.
- Able to define goals and plans a route for achievement.
- A high achiever with a reputation for success and quality performance.
- Sets high standards of performance for self and others.
MERITS: QUALIFICATIONS
COMPETENCY: Educational Qualifications (Essential)
DESCRIPTOR:
- A Bachelor Degree Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Public Policy, the Arts or relevant fields.
D. BENEFITS
Duty Station: Apia, Samoa
Duration: 3 years
Salary: $94,624 per annum
Hours of Attendance: The standard hours of attendance are Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm excluding Public Commission holidays that are generally observed in the public service and declared by the Commission.
Performance Reviews: The Appointee’s performance shall be reviewed in accordance with the Performance Management Guideline.
Annual Leave: 20 days’ annual leave per annum on pro rata basis
Sick Leave: 20 days’ sick leave per annum on pro rata basis.
Other Leave: All other leaves are subject to the rules set out in the Public Service Working Conditions and Entitlements Manual and Commission Endorsement.
End of Contract Benefits: The Appointee is entitled at the expiry of the Contract Term, to a payment equivalent to 8 working days for every contract year served at the salary rate paid to the Appointee on cessation of employment.
National Provident Fund: Government shall pay a percentage of the Appointee’s contribution or another rate prescribed by the National Provident Fund from time to time.
Accident Compensation Corporation: Government shall pay a percentage of the Appointee’s contribution or another rate prescribed by the Accident Compensation Act 1989.
Duty Travel: The government, development partner or relevant body meets all travelling expenses at prescribed rates necessarily incurred by staff required to travel away from Apia on official duty travel.
Regional/ International Recruited Staff: A successful candidate recruited from overseas is to bear all costs associated of relocation and will not be the responsibility of the Ministry.
