Job announcement: PAPP is hiring a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer

Description

SPC invites applications for the position of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer in its Land Resources Division, located at its regional office in Suva, Fiji.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is the Pacific Island region’s principal development organisation. It works with its 22 Pacific Island member countries and territories, providing technical and scientific assistance across a wide range of sectors to enhance economic, environmental, social and human development in this region.

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 three objectives: improved food and nutritional security; integrated and sustainable agricultural and forestry resource management and development; and improved and increased trade in agriculture and forestry products. 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; Genetic Resources; and Forests and Trees. The division currently has around 90 staff.

The Role – The position of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer will work closely with LRD management as well as the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team of SPC’s Strategic Engagement Policy and Planning Facility (SEPPF), which has a leadership and coordination role in improving monitoring, evaluation and learning and reporting across SPC.

This position will encompass the following key result areas:

•    Monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting 

Provide training and guidance to LRD staff to enhance understanding of corporate MEL and reporting processes within the division; monitor data entry into the corporate MEL and reporting system (e.g. IRIS) and maintain quality control; facilitate analysis and use of IRIS-stored data for project/divisional reporting purposes; support LRD management in preparing the division’s contributions to corporate reports, programme results, results frameworks and country reports, and provide input to country programme planning and evaluations; support programme managers in monitoring and assessing progress of LRD programmes in accordance with donor guidelines, including supporting accurate data collection, reviewing annual work plans and progress reports; strengthen and support evaluation and learning processes for all LRD programmes and projects – this will include developing terms of reference and participating in external evaluations.

•    Programme/project development and design 

Work with LRD management and SEPPF programme/project design and funding proposal development to ensure that high-quality, results-focused planning and MEL requirements are incorporated, and that SPC’s programmes appraisal criteria are used.

•    Contribution to strategic direction 

Facilitate a review of the current programme/sectoral indicators in the LRD Strategic Plan and ensure alignment with the SPC Corporate Strategic Plan (in consultation with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders).

The profile – SPC seeks a strategic thinker with well-developed analytical skills and a keen attention to detail ideally coming from a background in strategic planning and consultation processes. The successful candidate will have a strong people focus with the ability to influence and build relationships. As well as having excellent communication and report writing skills, the successful candidate will have a flexible approach to problem solving with the ability to meet tight deadlines within budgetary constraints by being able to prioritise effectively. An agricultural, land management or sustainable resources background, and a good knowledge of the Pacific and the issues associated with its history and development will be advantageous.

Key selection criteria

1. Qualifications

A degree in a relevant field, such as international development, project management, evaluation or economics.

2. Technical expertise

A minimum of five years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of programmes or projects, with a good understanding of international best practices in development effectiveness, and skilled in a wide range of quantitative and qualitative evaluation and data analysis. Strong experience in international development, including the preparation of funding proposals, with a strong monitoring and evaluation focus. Skilled in project management and project coordination. A skilled user of databases for entering, processing, cleaning and extracting data, including some experience in web-based monitoring and reporting systems. The ability to train and motivate divisional staff in monitoring and evaluation systems and the use of online reporting tools.

3. Language skills

Proficiency in English, with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

Good interpersonal skills. A team player, with the ability to network and work effectively in a multicultural setting. Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated understanding of developing country environments, with knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Remuneration – The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer is a Band 9 position within SPC’s 2015 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,050-2,562 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which converts to approximately FJD 5,835–7,294 (USD 3,115–3,893; EUR 2,366–2,957). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being 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. However, Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits – SPC provides subsidised housing in Suva. An establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants. Employees are entitled to 25 days’ annual leave and 30 days’ sick leave per annum, life insurance, 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.

As an equal-opportunity employer, SPC recruits on merit, but if two interviewed candidates are ranked equally by the selection committee, preference will be given to nationals of Pacific Island countries and territories.

Application procedure

Please use SPC’s online recruitment system to lodge your application following the link below.

Please note that it is not possible to start your application via the online system, save it and return to complete it later. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you prepare all documents and required information prior to starting your application.

If you cannot access the online recruitment system, please apply by:

•    email: recruit@spc.int, or
•    fax: + 687 26 38 18

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

•    an updated resume;
•    contact details for three professional referees (include name / title / relationship / contact details);
•    a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position; and
•    a statement with your brief responses to the following tasks:

1.    Please provide us with two examples where you have contributed to a monitoring, evaluation and learning process and achieved a successful development outcome.  What was your role in this?

2.    Give an example of a successful proposal that you either prepared or contributed to.  Please describe the steps involved in putting the proposal together.  What made it successful?

3.    Describe what web-based monitoring and reporting system(s) you may have or currently using.