Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Adviser, Noumea, New Caledonia

Closing date: Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Adviser

Job Code : 15-04

Location : Noumea, New Caledonia

Grade : 11

Salary Range : SDR 3,813-4,671 per month

Closing Date : 17/02/2015

Duration : 3 years

Are you passionate about development effectiveness and supporting Pacific Island communities to achieve their goals?

Description

SPC invites applications for the position of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Adviser in its Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.

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 Division

The Fisheries Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division (FAME) was established in 2010 and is located at the SPC's Head Office in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has two programmes namely – the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and the Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). The Director's Office comprises multidisciplinary expertise to provide cross-cutting support to two programme areas: (i) the Oceanic Fisheries Programme , which provides scientific support for the management of fisheries for tuna and associated species, with a strong focus on stock assessment and modeling, fisheries monitoring, data management, and ecosystems management ; and (ii) the Coastal Fisheries Programme, which provides scientific support for the management of coastal fisheries resources, with a strong focus on science and management, fisheries development, aquaculture, and fisheries information.

The role

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Adviser will be responsible for providing high level advice and support design, monitoring and evaluation of FAME programmes and projects that enable the division to achieve improved development outcomes. The role will work in close collaboration with FAME management as well as the MEL team of SPC's Strategic Engagement Policy and Planning Facility (SEPPF) which has a leadership and coordination role improving MEL and reporting across SPC.

The position will encompass the following Key result Areas:

• Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) and reporting – (i) Develop results-focussed M&E frameworks in consultation with FAME management team which meet donor and SPC guidelines (ii) Support Programme Manager in assessing progress of FAME project ensuring objectives are met (iii) Strengthen and support evaluation and learning processes for all division programmes (iv) Support FAME management in preparing the divisions contributions to Corporate reports and evaluations; review annual work plans and progress reports.
• Programme/Project development and design – (i) Work with FAME management and SEPPF in programme/project design and funding proposal development to ensure evidence-based and results-focussed planning is incorporated (ii) Work with programme managers to strengthen MEL components in annual work plans before data is entered into the integrated reporting system.
• Contribution to division strategic direction – (i) Review existing Strategic Plan, identifying achievements, challenges and lessons learnt (ii) Ensure recommendations from MEL activities are shared with FAME management and form part of the strategic discussions and planning moving forward (iii) Develop the new Divisional Strategic Plan in consultation with management, SEPPF and external stakeholders and ensure alignment with SPC Corporate Strategic Plan.
• Data quality control and training – (i) Be a focal point for all FAME MEL databases including IRIS (ii) Facilitate statistical analysis based on FAME databases and IRIS-stored data for project reporting purposes (iii) Provide training to FAME staff to enhance understanding of MEL and the use of IRIS as a tool for planning and reporting.

The profile

SPC seeks a strategic thinker with well developed analytical skills and a fine attention to detail, experienced in strategic planning and consultation processes. With excellent communication skills the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Adviser will be able to successfully engage, influence, build and develop working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders across a diverse range of backgrounds. The Adviser will also require expert organisational skills to enable him/her to manage and prioritise multiple tasks in terms of efficiency, accuracy and timeliness particularly when content and context are based on input across several divisions within SPC.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A Master's Degree (or equivalent) in relevant field such as international development, evaluation, public sector policy, economics, natural resource management.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects with a good understanding of international best practises in development effectiveness and skilled in the development of results frameworks, and a wide range of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods and data analysis.
• Experience in international development, including preparation of funding proposals with strong programme logic analysis and M&E frameworks.
• Good level of experience in project management and coordination.
• Ability to draft succinct, comprehensive and high quality reports.
• Sound practical knowledge of databases for entering, processing/cleaning and extracting data, including some experience with web-based monitoring and reporting systems.
• Ability to train and motivate staff on use of M&E systems and on-line reporting tools.
• Familiarity or experience in working with fisheries or related projects would be desirable.

Language skills

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

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Strong interpersonal skills with particular focus on influencing and relationship building; a team player with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and gender sensitive environment.
• 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 Adviser is a band 11 position in SPC's 2014 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR 3,813–4,671 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 525,264–643,322 (USD 5,795–7,097; EUR 4,402–5,391). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will 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. SPC salaries are not subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time.

Benefits

SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. 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 equal 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
• 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
• a statement with your brief responses to the following questions:

1. Please describe the depth and breadth of your experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) and reporting in terms of what type of work, in what sectors and for which donors/funders.
2. What experience do you have in helping design and/or implement improved MEL systems in an organisation? What was your role and what was the outcome? Please also describe any challenges you have experienced in doing this and how you addressed these challenges.
3. Briefly describe how you have helped increase the value of information gained from evaluations to improve programme quality and effectiveness.
4. Please describe your experience in working witih people from diverse cultures, personalities and disciplines.

Important note: Please ensure your documents are in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.