Provincial Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator (NTT)

Location Kupang, NTT, Indonesia
APPLICATIONS CLOSE – 23^rd of August 2023, 5.00 pm, Jakarta time

Program Background
The SKALA Program is a significant Australian investment designed to help Indonesia address regional disparities in development. SKALA will contribute to this objective by strengthening selected elements of Indonesia’s large and complex decentralised government system responsible for the delivery of basic services (Layanan Dasar). The SKALA Program’s core approach is to facilitate better collaboration (Kolaborasi) between Indonesian government stakeholders, at national and subnational levels, to help realise synergies (Sinergi) that will trigger improved service delivery. Moreover, SKALA will build on, and take to scale, the successes and learning from Australia’s previous 17 years of support to Indonesia’s decentralised government system. The SKALA Program is to be implemented through the following three pillars:

• Pillar 1: Stronger national level enabling environment for sub-national service delivery
• Pillar 2: Better sub-national governance for service delivery
• Pillar 3: Greater participation, representation and influence for women, people with disabilities and vulnerable groups
   

About DT Global
DT Global works in partnership with communities, governments, and the private sector to deliver innovative solutions that transform lives. DT Global – launched in 2019 – is built on legacy companies AECOM’s International Development Services Sector, Development Transformations, IMC Worldwide, and Cardno International Development. To fulfill its profit-for-purpose mission, DT Global is a key donor to the DT Institute, an independent not-for-profit organization, in support of DTI’s efforts to test new ideas or expand on donor partner priorities to improve as many lives as possible.

Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries. We bring over 60 years of experience, relationships, and technical excellence to improve lives on behalf of our partners, clients, and stakeholders. We aim to maximize sustainable development impact across a wide range of practice areas, including Conflict Prevention, Stabilization & Transition; Economic Growth; Environment & Infrastructure; Governance; and Human Development. Together, we aim to positively impact 500 million lives by 2045.

The Role
The Provincial Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator (NTT) will work under the guidance of the Provincial Lead – NTT and as part of the Performance and Learning (P&L) team in ensuring consistent and high quality implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) system across the program. The Provincial MERL Coordinator will be based in Kupang to support all areas of MERL in NTT province. He/she will work with other members of the subnational team and the P&L team to ensure SKALA’s MERL resources work as one team by developing and maintaining a strong MERL Community of Practice.  

During the MERL inception phase (to December 2023), the Provincial MERL Coordinator will work with the P&L team and the subnational teams to consolidate the MERL system and processes. Once SKALA shifts into full implementation mode (from approximately Jan 2024), the MERL Coordinator’s focus will shift to supporting and coordinating program staff to operationalise the MERL Plan in the NTT province.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position:  https://bit.ly/44VJsOU

About You

Specific Responsibilities

Inception Stage Responsibilities (to December 2023)

• Collaborate with the P&L team in developing, establishing and testing the SKALA MERL Plan and MEL system at the subnational level
• Seek guidance and direction from the Provincial Lead and program team at the subnational level for updating GoI and the SKALA team on program progress.
• Collaborate with the MEL Lead and National and Subnational MEL Managers to identify the MEL-related capacity development needs of the provincial team  and GOI stakeholders.
• Support the Subnational MEL Manager in the design of MEL capacity building initiatives.
• In collaboration with the MEL Lead and Subnational MEL Manager to establish SKALA Program Management Information System (MIS), including guidance, tools, database, repository, and dashboard.

From January 2024 onwards
The Provincial MERL Coordinator NTT will transition to support full scale implementation of the MERL Plan including undertaking the following tasks:  

MERL Planning and Capacity Building

• Ensure the MERL Plan and Frame works are fully understood and applied by all provincial program team and its stakeholder partners.
• Support the development of MERL activities at the subnational level, e.g.,  meetings, collection of data, organisation of focus group discussions, support/oversight of research activities and other MEL activities as directed in the MERL plan and by the P&L team.
• Support the capacity building activities of local stakeholders/partners to operationalize Program MERL Plan and Framework and to strengthen local government M&E capabilities.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Support the provincial program team to implement effective mechanism for quality data collection, monitoring, documentation, and reporting.
• Collaborate with P&L team in piloting of the Program MIS to support effective and efficient MEL system including learning and accountability/reporting.
• Ensure the quality of data inputs into the MIS, and undertake regular visits to district/field to validate data, conduct data cleaning activities, train field facilitators on data collection, etc.
• Support/oversee all MERL related consultancies conducted by pool of MERL tehanical advisors/external consultant (e.g., case study, most significant change story collection, outcome harvesting, success case methods, etc.).

Learning and Knowledge Management

• Support Provincial Lead and team in data collection (quantitative and qualitative) and analysis for reflection, learning, generating knowledge product, and communication purpose.
• Promote learning culture where program teams and individual staff can share openly successes and failures for continuous improvement at programmatic and individual levels.
• Ensure the learning material, evaluation and research document (e.g., case study, success study) and other data/information are stored and accessible for team.
• Support and or facilitate regular program reflection and learning process and event for all program team and stakeholders.
• Conduct other duties as assigned by direct and indirect line manager, as relevant.

Compliance

• Comply with DFAT, DT Global and SKALA policies on gender, disability, fraud and anticorruption, child protection, PSEAH and the environment.
• Ensure compliance and adherence to various operational policies, guidelines and manuals issued by DT Global and SKALA.
• Proactively identify and report risks and manage risks within your level of accountability.

Job Requirements

• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
• Work may require long, and flexible hours as needed. Travel is based on need.

Relationship Management

This position will work closely and effectively with a range of stakeholders, including all other Program staff, the DT Global corporate team and other external service providers. The position will report to the Provincial Lead NTT.

Selection Criteria
You will be a motivated and proactive monitoring and evaluation adviser with the right combination of great project administration and operations, teamwork, and a commitment to technical excellence.

Essential

• Bachelor/Postgraduate qualifications in social sciences, evaluation, management, public policy, or other relevant discipline (research and methodological experience encouraged).
• At least 7 years’ experience for Bachelor or 5 years’ experience for Postgraduate in MEL on a large program
• Demonstrated prior experience coordinating MEL resources and activities
• Demonstrated experience supporting MEL related capacity development on programs, both directly to fellow team members and GoI partners and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated prior experience in qualitative data collection techniques (e.g., most significant change, case study) and analysis within the context of development programs or comparable settings
• Ability to manage competing tasks and work independently and to tight deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Indonesian. English language skills will be viewed favourably

Desirable

• Database management skills and experience.
• Experience facilitating learning processes.
• Knowledge and awareness of the different needs of traditionally disadvantaged population groups, such as women, the elderly, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities or special mobility needs

Remuneration
Successful Indonesian nationals will be engaged under a national contract in IDR and will be subject to Indonesian employment regulations and tax obligations.

HOW TO APPLY
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Please submit

1. Your CV
2. A cover letter addressing the essential selection criteria (maximum 2 pages)
3. Names and contact details of 2 (two) referees

  
APPLICATIONS CLOSE – 23^rd of August 2023, 5.00 pm, Jakarta time
  
Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.  Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.