Abt Associates

• Commencement: July 2025
• Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Duration: Up to 28 February 2026
• Open to PNG Citizens

About the Program

The Australia PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment that assists GoPNG to create a stable and more prosperous country. APEP is integrated and aligned with PNG’s economic sector policies, systems and processes.

APEP’s overarching objective is: to assist PNG in its efforts to achieve sustained growth, capable of lifting the standard of living of all citizens, while also ensuring Australia maintains its reputation as PNG’s economic partner of choice.

APEP has five End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) that are expected to be achieved:

• EOPO 1 - Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
• EOPO 2 - Strengthening Public Financial Management for Improved Service Delivery and Inclusive Growth
• EOPO 3 - Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
• EOPO 4 - Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
• EOPO 5 - Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue.

Gender equality, disability social inclusion (GEDSI), women’s economic empowerment, climate, economic research and dialogue, open government, indigenous engagement and MERLA are cross-cutting in nature, and integrated into all APEP program areas (‘pillars’).

The MERLA Unit is responsible for maintaining and implementing APEP’s MERLA System and Framework and working closely with all pillars to implement Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks (MEFs) which align to pillar strategies and key guiding policies and frameworks. The MERLA Unit plays a key role in evaluating progress, facilitating learning and reflection, and reporting/communicating the impact of APEP’s support.

About the Opportunity

The MERLA Officer - Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods will support the MERLA Unit Lead to deliver a strong MERLA system for APEP. The MERLA Officers will be embedded within a strategic pillar, working closely with the technical team to monitor and evaluate progress at the pillar level and contribute performance data towards broader APEP objectives.

The Officer will conduct routine monitoring and work closely with: the Unit’s Evaluation Specialist, who leads on evaluations across the facility; and the MELRA Lead, who oversees the APEP MERLA system. They will also support the pillar-led activity design, implementation and close-out process, ensuring that activities align with the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MEF) and outcomes are tracked. The MERLA Unit Officer must demonstrate understanding of DFAT’s Design, Evaluation and Learning Standards and DFAT’s Performance Assessment Framework for facilities.

Key Responsibilities

The MERLA Officer - Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods is responsible for:

• Working closely with the Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods pillar to operationalise the Monitoring Evaluation Framework (MEF), monitoring activities, outputs and outcomes on a routine basis.
• Engaging throughout the activity development, implementation and close-out process, ensuring activities align with pillar strategies and MEF.
• Supporting the APEP Evaluation Specialist to conduct evaluations as outlined in the MEF, including domestic travel as required.
• Gathering, analysing and presenting routine data that is used by APEP for accountability and learning purposes.
• Working closely with the Communications team to share results, evidence and insights for appropriate public use.
• Contributing to reports and briefs that meet the standards of the client.
• Contributing as required to broader monitoring activities as directed by the MERLA Unit Lead.
• Contributing to the planning and execution of six-monthly Reflection workshops, as directed by the MERLA Unit Lead.
• Actively supporting the implementation of GEDSI and locally led development.
• Working closely with the GEDSI team to ensure GEDSI integration in activities and results.

Key deliverables

Position Specific Deliverables:

• Collecting and analysing data against the Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods pillar MEF and managed through the Monitoring Information System.
• Supporting the Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods pillar in the completion of screening notes, project activity designs, and other documents that ensure alignment with pillar strategies and monitoring evaluation and framework.
• Quality assuring and contributing to pillar-led Activity Completion Reports.
• Supporting the APEP Evaluation Specialist with the design implementation and write-up of outcome-focused evaluations or other analytical reviews, demonstrating progress towards IOs and EOPOs.
• Training and/or supporting pillar technical staff and downstream partners responsible for collecting monitoring data.
• Promoting high quality and strategic performance reporting for the APEP in a way that balances accountability, rigor and learning to promote adaptive management and program improvement.
• Contributing to periodic review and updating of the MERLA Plan, MEFs and Theories of Change.
• Other duties as requested by the MERLA Unit Lead.

Key working relationships

• MERLA Unit Lead
• Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods Pillar Team MERLA team.

About You

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided.

• Demonstrated experience (10+ years desirable) developing and applying Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Adaptation (MERLA) plans and frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience conducting MERLA on agriculture or livelihood development programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of MERLA principles, tools and processes including DFAT’s Design and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Standards.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to clearly explain key MERLA theories and processes to non-technical people.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively across multiple teams and organisations.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of capacity strengthening, inclusion, localisation and equity.
• Demonstrated ability to be resilient and adaptable in changing and challenging contexts.
• Relevant qualification in monitoring and evaluation, international development or other related field.

How to Apply

• Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.
• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted.
• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date: Wednesday, 18 June 2025 (Middy, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities