HR191
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Forms must be downloaded from the UCT website: http://www.uct.ac.za/depts/sapweb/forms/forms.htm
This form serves as a template for the writing of job descriptions.
A copy of this form should be kept on file in your office.
For re-evaluations, this form must be sent to your relevant HR Advisor/Officer
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title (current title)
Statistician – with a focus on Educational Measurement
Status of Post (tick)
New Post
Job Grade (current grade)
Academic - Lecturer/Snr Lecturer
Faculty (if applicable)
CHED
Department
ADP
Section (if applicable)
AARP
Date of Compilation
5th December 2012
Re-evaluation

FOR OFFICE USE
Job Title
Date of Grading
Grading Result
ORGANOGRAM
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PURPOSE
The main purpose of this position is to provide the statistical support to the department in terms
of test and item analysis using classical and modern educational measurement approaches,
investigating associations between different continuous and/or categorical performance and
biographical measures, conducting cohort and longitudinal studies, investigating trends in data
and impact of interventions. These actions should contribute to the test development, research
papers, reports and presentations. The output provided by the Statistician is the prime interface
between the Data Coordinator and the Research, Development and Dissemination Coordinator
and Research Leaders. The role should support the Director in the advocacy and dissemination
work of AARP and the strategic planning of the department.
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JOB CONTENT
Key Performance Areas (4 – 6)
1) In consultation with the senior
leadership group (Director, Research
Development Dissemination Coordinator,
Research Leads, Operations Manager
and Data Manager) identify research
topics and initiate processes necessary
to carry out the required research and
analyses which contributes to the
translation of the research and
development into test development,
research papers, reports and
presentations.
% of
time
spent
30%
Activities / Objectives / Tasks
Results / Outcomes
Competencies
Statistical analyses:
Reports to HESA, HESA T&L
Committee, DHET, DBE, IEB,
UMALUSI, Health Sciences
Consortium, Institutions, UCT
Institutional and Faculty reports,
research papers for local and
international conferences.
Research papers, reports and
presentations to be made available
from an AARP website (as
opposed to the NBT registration
site)
 Competent in the use of
statistical methods and
techniques appropriate
to AARPs environment
 Research writing
abilities
 Attention to detail
 Communication skills in
English & Afrikaans
(written & oral)
 Statistical packages
such as SPSS,
Statistica, STATA, R
amongst others
 Educational
Measurement software
such as Iteman,
Scoreall, Xcalibre
 MS Excel
 MS Powerpoint
 Ability to work with
research and
development team
 Adherence to deadlines
of tests and items using classical and modern
educational measurement approaches
investigating associations between different
continuous and/or categorical performance
and biographical measures,
conducting cohort and longitudinal studies,
investigating trends in data and impact of
interventions
that contribute to the production of reports,
research papers and presentations timeously
for the various clients, projects and the
director.
Measured by:
Deadlines met timeously in
accordance with project plans.
Timeously advising the Director of
problems arising with the
deliverable results and outcomes.
2) Liaising with Research Development
Dissemination Coordinator
20%
Providing the Research Development
Dissemination Coordinator with statistical
analysis for agreed upon research, reports,
presentations and projects.
All statistical analyses done in
advance of it being required.
 Communication skills in
English & Afrikaans
(written & oral)
 Knowledge of all testing
processes
 Knowledge of research
requirements
3) Liaising with Research leads
20%
Liaising with Research Leads in terms of tests,
items and domain specific statistical
requirements.
Item and test analysis reports
provided in time for development,
review and assembly workshops.
 Skills in managing staff
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working within a team
environment.
HR191
4) Assisting the Director
20%
Statistical analysis in preparation of annual
AARP research reports and presentations, in
line with the pre-determined project plans, in
consultation with the AARP Director.
Contribute to the AARP strategic planning and
communication processes.
5) Liaising with clients and users
5%
In consultation with the AARP Director
providing clients and users of AARP tests with
statistical research.
6) Internal UCT admissions (selection
5%
Providing UCT Faculties, through the director,
Research Development Dissemination
Coordinator, Admissions Office and the
Student administrative system with up-to-date
UCT statistical research reports.
and placement) and testing research
Smooth and efficient functioning of
test item development, item review
and test assembly.
Provide statistical reports for the
standard setting processes and
liaison with the Data Coordinator.
Generation of research reports
based on domain specific research
requirements.
 Ability to see interdomain and intradomain
relationships that
would yield useful
research
opportunities.
AARP Director supplied with
statistical analyses that inform
research papers, reports,
presentations for clients and
stakeholders.
 Communication skills in
English & Afrikaans
(written & oral)
 Lateral thinking skills
(ability to see beyond
immediate constraints
and anticipate possible
changes in the
educational landscape
 Knowledge of testing
and client requirements
 Managing diverse
collaborations.
Familiarity with UCT
admission policies,
procedures, and student
administrative system
(PeopleSoft).
Effective liaison with Faculty,
PeopleSoft and UCT Admissions
Office.
Provide regular statistical analyses
for reporting on UCT’s admissions
testing to the FAAC.
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Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Appropriate Masters Degree – a PhD Degree would be an advantage
Minimum Experience
Experience of research writing
Experience of communicating statistical analyses to non-specialists
AUTHORITY
PRINT NAME
SIGNATURE
CONTACT NO.
DATE
5 December
2012
th
Compiled by
Reviewed by
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