Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Adviser - OMP and GEP

• 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, education, 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 role – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Adviser will provide programme-level advice and support on monitoring, evaluation and learning for the Georesources and Energy Programme and the Oceans and Maritime Programme in the GEM division to enhance the programmes planning, monitoring, and reporting of their results across the division and in SPC.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Programme and project monitoring and reporting

• Support the development and revision of GEP and OMP programme and project results frameworks and ME Plans.
• Communicate with the Programmes Teams on relevant reporting dates and data collection/reporting tools.
• Make recommendations, where necessary, to the Deputy Directors and MEL Adviser on improvements to data collection and reporting tools.
• Prepare programme and project reports as per the reporting schedule.

Programme planning, reflection and capacity building

• Lead and coordinate the programmes annual work planning processes.
• Contribute to the development of the GEM business planning processes by facilitating strategic discussions within GEP and OMP.
• Facilitate OMP and GEP’s cross Programmes integrated programming processes.
• In conjunction with the MEL Advisor, facilitate OMP and GEP’s discussions and inputs in the SPC wide strategic planning and initiatives.

OMP and GEP contributions to SPC corporate and donor reporting and learning

• Prepare OMP and GEP’s information and data for SPL as requested by the MEL Adviser.
• Coordinate the mid-year reporting and end of year reporting for GEP and OMP through updating results frameworks, developing performance stories and provision of annual training data.
• Contribute to the Programmes and projects donor reporting through the provision of advice, data, evidence on the results achieved by the programmes and projects.

Collaboration with other GEM Programmes and other SPC staff

• Provide support and advice to the Programme Teams on activity design and monitoring.
• Assist OMP and GEP using the Results Framework analysis to inform their resource mobilisation efforts.
• Provide sound advice and follow up with Deputy Directors and Team Leaders on areas that need improvement.
• Represent OMP and GEP at M&E-related meetings when the MEL Adviser is required.

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in a relevant field such as international development, evaluation, public sector policy, economics, natural resource management project management, evaluation.

Technical expertise

• At least 8 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation with a good understanding of international best practices in development effectiveness.
• At least 4 years of experience in programme MEL support for large multi-disciplinary programmes implementing large bilateral donors, including conceptualizing and technical writing.
• Strategic thinking and high-level analytical skills.
• Skills in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Experience in creating databases for the entering, processing, cleaning and extraction of data.
• Experience in successfully working within a deadline-driven environment.         

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 – 31 December 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning 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 based in Fiji – 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: 1 December 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000792

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. Briefly describe (up to 400 word) your understanding of, and experience in designing and running MEL systems and databases using both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.
2. Please describe an example where you have used M&E to identify areas that need improvement and apply learning to enhance performance.
3. Describe your experience in strengthening organisational practices and culture using robust MEL evidence and process.