Planning Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) Adviser

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific 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 Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management, and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific Phase 3 (COSPPac3) is supported by the Government of Australia and New Zealand. COSPPac has entered a third phase of four years (2023-2027) and builds on Australia's long-term support for core climate information services across the Pacific, ensuring the continued development of valued products and services for optimum impact for Pacific Island governments and communities.

The role – Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) Adviser will lead, strengthen and direct COSPPac planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning activities to ensure robust reporting, accountability to relevant stakeholders including donors, and application and sharing of learning to improve programme performance. The role will also support programme-wide planning, programming, resource mobilisation and performance management with evidence generation and analysis; MEL practices in line with the PEARL and donor policy.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Programme wide monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Lead the development of a comprehensive MEL framework for COSPPac including key evaluation questions and performance indicators.
• Implement the MEL Framework including building quality, results focused MEL into COSPPac activities with data collection, planning, reporting processes and ensuring alignment with donor and SPC MEL requirements.
• Drive programme wide learning and use of MEL findings and facilitate opportunities to increase learning across COSPPac stakeholders.
• Advise COSPPac Project Management on MEL process and outcomes including strategic direction of respective work areas for programme improvement.
• Ensure that the programme maintains a line of sight to organisational strategic priorities through engagement with organisational MEL practices, reflection on COSPPac’s contribution to organisational and developmental objectives, and high-quality reporting to SPC’s Results Report.

Building monitoring, evaluation and learning systems, processes and tools.  

• Develop new initiatives to improve the effectiveness of COSPPac’s MEL systems, including the application of approaches to internal and external MEL. This includes design and development of monitoring & evaluation plans, reporting templates, data collection instruments and tools and create and curate databases to guide COSPPac in collecting, analysing, and utilising relevant information for corporate and donor results reporting requirements.
• Strengthen and support evaluation and learning processes for all OPM projects. This includes development of Terms of Reference and participating in external evaluations (where possible).
• Facilitate learning and use of evaluation findings, conducting internal reflection and discussions and reviews to inform programme improvement as well as promoting and facilitating opportunities to increase learning across OPM projects and with other SPC divisions.
• Ensure that a robust risk identification and management framework for COSPPac is built and monitored.

PMEL Capacity building and support

In collaboration with COSPPac team:

• Conduct or provide capacity building to COSPPac Partners and participating countries to conduct internal reviews and evaluations to inform programme improvement, including in-country project site visits and stakeholder reflection, evaluation and learning processes.
• Develop innovative approaches to evaluation and participate actively in the broader SPC, regional and international evaluation community.
• Provide support and guidance to OPM team leads and COSPPac partners in monitoring the progress of relevant projects towards achieving their objectives and projected impacts (in accordance with donor and SPC guidelines).
• Support capacity mapping efforts within COSPPac and support the development of regional needs assessment reports.

Programme, project development, design and resource mobilisation

In collaboration with the OMP Team Leads:

• Support the development of project concepts addressing climate change and disaster risk challenges in PICTs.
• Develop and incorporate quality, results- focused and rights-based MEL practices into new project design and funding proposal development, including developing Theory of Change, Programme Logic, Programme Key Performance Indicators, and MEL plans.
• Ensure that relevant learnings from past and current projects and programmes are incorporated or inform designs of new initiatives.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A post graduate degree in relevant field such as international development, evaluation, public policy, economics, natural resources management or project design, project management.

Technical expertise

• 7 to 10 years of experience in monitoring and results reporting for the sustainable development sector, with a thorough understanding of international best practices in a wide range of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods and data analysis.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in programme design and proposal writing for large bilateral donors, including conceptualizing and technical writing.
• Proven record in the design of effective monitoring systems, data collection tools, building staff capacity in monitoring and reporting and consolidating data from multiple locations and projects for results reporting at the programme level.
• Skilled in the development and use of databases and systems for visualising, entering, processing/cleaning, and extracting data, including experience with web-based monitoring and reporting systems.
• Strategic thinker with well-developed analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Experienced in strategic planning, consultation processes, and the development of monitoring systems.
• Ability to train and motivate project staff on M&E systems, proposal development, monitoring and results reporting and use of online reporting tools.
• Familiarity with donor reporting requirements (especially GCF, DFAT, MFAT, FAO, EU and others).         

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

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

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 June 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) Adviser is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,672–9,591 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,191–3,989). 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 international employees – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 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: 13 October 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000739

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.

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. Can you describe your experience in developing and implementing MEL frameworks for complex programs? How did you ensure that these frameworks were aligned with the program's goals and objectives?
2. Provide an example of how you have collected and analyzed data to inform program planning and decision-making. What methodologies did you use, and how did your findings influence the program's direction?
3. Describe a situation where you facilitated learning and adaptation within a program based on MEL findings. How did you ensure that lessons learned were effectively integrated into ongoing program activities?