Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Analyst

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Analyst - Vietnam

• Engagement duration: September 2023 to 30 June 2027
• Employment type:  A citizen role, but open to others who have legal right to work in country under a local compensation package.
• Location:  Hanoi, Vietnam

About the Program 

Investing in Women: Women In Inclusive Sustainable Economic Recovery (IW) is a multi-country Australian Government initiative in Southeast Asia that seeks to accelerate women’s economic empowerment through increased and equitable opportunities in the private sector, contributing to inclusive, sustainable economic recovery and growth in targeted countries.

IW’s new phase continues the ambitious agenda of advancing women’s economic empowerment championed by its predecessor program. It builds on the results, partnerships, learnings and credibility established under the first eight years of IW. IW’s new phase will extend and scale Australia’s contribution to supporting women in the region and advancing gender equality through continuing to influence an ecosystem of policymakers, business leaders, capital providers and women’s economic empowerment actors in Southeast Asia.

Positioning women at the centre of economic resilience and recovery and accelerating their economic empowerment is critical to achieving a wide range of objectives pertaining to sustainable development in Southeast Asia. As the region recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, gender-sensitive economic recovery strategies will be critical to prevent further deterioration in women’s economic empowerment indicators seen during COVID-19. Focus on an inclusive recovery seeks to harness the productivity, skills, capacity, talent, innovation, and leadership that women offer, and realise the benefits of women’s economic empowerment for themselves, their families, and their communities.

IW will run for four years, from January 2023 to 2027, with an option to extend for a further six years. Initial countries of focus will be at least Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam, with some activities engaging at a regional level.

IW has four mutually reinforcing outcomes for the new phase:

• Workplace Gender Equality - More business adopt and implement workplace gender equality organisational changes.
• Affordable Quality Childcare – Evidence created to build the case for the importance and value of childcare – to business, the economy and women’s economic empowerment
• Quality Jobs for Women – Private sector and government partners progress strategies and initiatives to increase quality jobs for women
•  Impactful Capital - A significant increase in gender lens investing (GLI) in target countries

About the Opportunity

Reporting to MERL Director, the MERL Analyst will play a crucial role in working closely with IW’s in-country partners and stakeholders to gather data, conduct data analysis, and promote the use of data for informed decision-making.

Specifically, the MERL Analyst - Vietnam will be responsible for:

a. Data Collection and Management:

• Coordinate and implement data collection activities in the country where the MERL Analyst is based, in collaboration with the MERL team and in consultation with the in-country team.
• Provide contextual insights to inform the development and finalization of data collection tools and methods, ensuring their practicality, contextual appropriateness, and cultural sensitivity.
• Liaise with the in-country IW team, partners and stakeholders to facilitate the execution of data collection activities.
• Oversee data collection, entry, and management from various sources, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the collected data.
• Conduct regular visits to project sites to monitor the data collection processes and provide necessary support and guidance.

b. Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Conduct analysis of the collected data using appropriate statistical methods and software.
• Provide inputs to relevant reports presenting key findings, trends, and recommendations specific to the country.
• Effectively communicate and disseminate monitoring findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders, in line with the MERL Framework, and as agreed with the MERL team.

c. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:

• Provide training and technical support to in-country partners and stakeholders on data collection, analysis, and reporting techniques.
• Foster a learning culture within partner organizations, promoting the use of data for evidence-based decision-making.
• Contribute to the development of monitoring and evaluation tools, methodologies, and best practices.

d. Relationship Building:

• Supported by the in-country team, nurture and maintain effective working relationships with partners and relevant in-country stakeholders.
• Coordinate with relevant partners and stakeholders to ensure the timely availability of data and information required for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

e. With support and oversight from the MERL and in-country team:

• Collaborate with in-country partners and relevant stakeholders to plan, coordinate and execute data collection activities as designed by the MERL framework.
• Input the collected data into appropriate databases or systems.
• Conduct thorough data analysis and generate actionable recommendations based on findings.
• Communicate monitoring and learning findings, as well as recommendations, to in-country partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Provide inputs for reports and presentations on data collection and analysis, as required/requested.
• Provide coordination and technical support for MERL capacity building and learning events, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and skill development among in-country partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Other duties as agreed with the MERL team

Engagement duration: September 2023 to 30 June 2027

Employment type:  A citizen role, but open to others who have legal right to work in country under a local compensation package.

Location:  Hanoi, Vietnam

Key Selection Criteria

For your application to be considered by the Panel, interested applicants must submit a response to each of the following Key Selection Criteria (KSC):

Other requirements:

• Strong organisational, time management and coordination skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision as part of a multi-cultural and dispersed team
• Knowledge of project management principles and experience in working on development projects is an asset
• Fluency in the relevant national language, as well as English, with excellent English writing and speaking skills
• Understanding of and commitment to gender equality and IW program goals

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement for a position. At Abt Associates we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every role requirement, we encourage you to apply in any case. You may be just the right candidate for this or for other roles.

How to Apply

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from experienced and capable women.

Please submit your application online (click this link).  Upload your cover letter, CV and response to the KSCs.  Submit your CV and KSC response as a single document, and address show you meet the requirements of this role in your KSC statements.

Application close:  6 August 2023, Sunday

About Us

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtassociates.com

Equity

Abt Associates values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Safeguarding

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.