Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) Adviser

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**Land Resources Division (LRD)**provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry. This includes plant protection, conservation, plant genetic resources, animal health and production, agroforestry, biosecurity and trade facilitation, and sustainable systems for agriculture, forestry and land management. This work has two objectives: improved food and nutritional security, and resilient communities. The division’s services are provided through seven technical/thematic teams: Animal Health and Production; Plant Health; Biosecurity and Trade Facilitation; Forest and Agriculture Diversification; Crop Production and Extension; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees.

The PMEL Adviser will lead, strengthen and direct LRD planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning activities to ensure robust reporting, accountability to LRD stakeholders, and application and sharing of learning to improve programme performance.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Division wide Monitoring, evaluation, reporting

• Drive the implementation of LRD’s Results Framework
• Drive internal learning and use of MEL findings and facilitate opportunities
• Advise LRD Management on MEL process and outcomes including strategic direction of LRD work and areas for programme improvement
• Ensure LRD’s technical and scientific staff are supported in monitoring and assessing progress of LRD’s programmes and projects.
• Support LRD management in preparing the division’s contributions to corporate reports and evaluations through leading the design, synthesis and analysis of LRD performance data and evidence.

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

• Develop new initiatives to improve the effectiveness of LRD’s MEL systems
• Strengthen and support evaluation and learning processes for all LRD programmes and projects.
• 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
• Ensure that a robust risk identification and management framework for LRD programs is built and monitored

PMEL capacity building and support

• Conduct or provide capacity building to LRD staff to conduct internal reviews/evaluations to inform programme improvement
• Develop innovative approaches to evaluation and participate actively in the broader SPC evaluation community
• Provide training and support to LRD staff and external stakeholders on the implementation of the SPC PEARL Policy and enhance divisional understanding of corporate guidance and requirements on inter-divisional / integrated programming, concept development and results reporting processe
• Participate in MEL net, the SPC Community of Practice for culturally responsive and contextually relevant PMEL.

Programme, project development, design, and resource mobilisation

• Develop and incorporate quality, results-focused and rights-based MEL practices into new project design and funding proposal development
• Ensure that relevant learnings from past and current projects/programmes are incorporated or inform designs of new initiatives
• Contribute evidence towards resource mobilisation efforts.

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

• At least 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 divisional 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 divisional 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 communication skills and report writing skills in English

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Strong people skills (influencing and relationship building) and ability to work in a multi-culture and gender-sensitive environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 31 December 2024

Remuneration – The PMEL Adviser is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,015‒3,769 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,896–11,120 (USD 4,312–5,390; EUR 3,619–4,523). 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 matching 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.

How to apply

Application procedure

Closing Date: 13 January 2023 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000378

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. Describe your understanding of, and experience and demonstrated ability in

• Developing an organisational level results framework, and in your response, please include technical and interpersonal process.
• Designing and running MEL systems and databases with extraction and analysis using both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.

1. SPC values monitoring and evaluative processes that inform learning and planning from actions, challenges, and achievements. Please describe ways in which you have used M&E processes to generate and apply learning for performance improvement.
2. Describe your experience in using Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems to generate analysis and evidence from different sectors to inform organisation annual work planning processes.