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Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Adviser - Fiji

Pacific Community

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 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 20 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Strategy, Performance and Learning (SPL) is a specialised unit within SPC’s Office of the Director-General. SPL has staff based at our headquarters in Noumea, as well as our regional office in Suva. The team has the following core functions: (i) guiding strategic direction through development of the Pacific Community Strategic Plan and facilitation of the Subcommittee of the Council of Representatives of Governments and Administration (CRGA) to analyse, anticipate, plan and innovate for the future through strategy, planning and programming; (ii) increasing development effectiveness through leading and coordinating corporate monitoring, evaluation and learning, including lessons for course correction and adaptation for improved performance and country and integrated programme design, and enhanced accountability and (iii) grow and nurture strategy, foresight, MEL and integrated programming capability across the breadth and depth of the Pacific Community to ensure SPC scientific and technical work is impactful and meets member’s development needs. iv) serving as a strategic coordination point for key relationships with external stakeholders, including member countries and territories, donors and development partners

SPL engages with SPC membership and key strategic relationships through managing the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA) subcommittee on the implementation of the Pacific Community strategic plan, which meets twice a year to look at SPC's performance against the strategy and act as a reference point for prioritisation.

The Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Adviser is responsible for providing organisation wide, high level advice and support on monitoring, evaluation and learning to enhance development effectiveness. The role will provide leadership for MEL work within SPC, including implementation of the Planning, Evaluation, Accountability, Reflection and Learning (PEARL) policy, through evidence-based advice and technical guidance to sectoral and operational business plans, results frameworks, evaluations and reports.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

  • Coordinate organisation-wide results reporting, learning and reflection
  • Provide MEL support to SPC divisions and operations, including support for evaluations, reviews, results frameworks and learning
  • Develop and contribute to improved MEL practice, systems and tools across SPC, as well as among members and partners
  • Contribute to a ‘communications for impact’ approach to communicating and utilising MEL products

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

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

  • Post-graduate master’s degree in relevant field such as international development, evaluation, public sector policy, economics

Knowledge and experience

  • At least 7 years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation and reporting, on donor/grant-funded projects or programmes, with good understanding of international best practices in development effectiveness
  • At least four years’ experience in the design or management of evaluations
  • At least 3 years of experience working on development sector MEL in the Pacific
  • Experience in international development, including design and implementation of MEL Frameworks

Essential skills

  • Strategic thinker with well-developed analytical skills and attention to detail
  • Skilled in project management and coordination
  • Skilled in the development and use of databases for entering, processing/cleaning, and extracting data, including some experience with monitoring and reporting systems

Language skills

  • Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

  • Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in working with and across the organisation in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and gender-sensitive environment

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 31 December 2023

Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.

Remuneration – The Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Adviser is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2020 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,015‒3,769 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 8,986–11,233 (USD 4,161–5,202; EUR 3,709–4,636). 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 relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and 30 days of sick leave per annum, 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.

Application procedure

Applicants must apply online by clicking Apply Now.

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

  • An updated resume
  • Contact details for three professional referees
  • A cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
  • Responses to all screening questions

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. These documents may be requested at a later stage.

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. The Pacific Community does not support dual spouse employment.

Please ensure that you respond to all the screening questions. If you do not respond to the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.

Screening Questions:

  1. Please describe how you have developed an organisational level results framework, in your answer, please include technical and interpersonal processes.
  2. SPC values monitoring and evaluative processes that inform learning, adaptation and planning. Please describe an example where you have used M&E to generate and apply learning for performance improvement.
  3. Describe your experience in strengthening organisational culture for generation and use of robust MEL evidence, highlighting approaches with different organisational stakeholders from different sectors (MEL practitioners, programme managers, senior managers, science and technical staff, etc).
  4. SPC has a network of monitoring, evaluation and learning staff across the organisation in an established community of practice (MELnet). Describe how you would strengthen their role in transforming the organisational culture towards evidence-based decision making through contextually and culturally responsive MEL practice.

How to apply

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