Program Background:

The Incentive Fund is a flagship program for the Australian Government that has delivered critical infrastructure to under-served communities across Papua New Guinea.

The Incentive Fund Phase 5 (IF5) commenced in July 2023 and runs for an initial four years. IF5 represents the next phase of Australia’s long-term investment in essential social and economic infrastructure in Papua New Guinea, through a mechanism that has established its development effectiveness over two decades of operations. As with previous phases, the IF5 will deliver a competitive and high-quality grant finance mechanism that provides an incentive for communities to engage more purposefully and effectively in development.

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The Role

The Monitoring Evaluation Research Learning and Adaptation (MERLA) Lead is an important leadership role within the IF5 Program. The MERLA Lead’s primary responsibilities will be overseeing the implementation and continuous refinement of IF5’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Adaptation (MERLA) Plan and Framework, as well as Communications for learning, influencing and public diplomacy. The Knowledge Manager will lead a team, including advisers, providing them with high quality support, guidance and strategic direction. The MERLA Lead will build awareness, understanding and commitment to MERLA and strategic communications across the IF5 Program and partner organisations.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provision of expertise and guidance to the IF5 Leadership Team and the client (DFAT) on MERLA approaches, plans and issues;
• Oversee implementation and refinement of IF5’s MERLA Plan and Framework, ensuring they meet both DFAT and IF5 needs;
• Oversee implementation and refinement of IF5’s Communications Strategy, ensuring it meets both DFAT and IF5 needs;
• Lead a team of locally engaged and international MERLA and Communications professionals and short-term advisers, providing them with high quality advice, clear direction, mentoring and support for their ongoing professional development;
• Lead periodic updates to the MERLA Plan and Framework, ensuring it responds to evolving Program and DFAT requirements;
• Work collaboratively with IF5 teams to develop and agree data collection, reporting and dissemination approaches are robust, fit-for-purpose and efficient;
• Guide, coordinate and provide leadership on all MERLA designs, methods and outputs;
• Ensure Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) indicators, outputs and outcomes are clearly identified in the MERLA Plan and Framework;
• Oversee reporting on, and dissemination of, MERLA results, including overseeing the development of communication and public diplomacy materials;
• Provide MERLA inputs for milestone reports including progress reports, annual reports and annual plans as well as other ad hoc reporting as required by DFAT;
• Provide quality assurance for all IF5-generated reports and communication products so they are to an acceptable standard and in-line with all guidelines;
• Champion a culture and discipline for sharing lessons learned and knowledge across the IF5 team, IF5 stakeholders and other DFAT programs.
• The IF5 MERLA Lead will report directly to the IF5 Deputy Team Leader with performance reviews undertaken by the IF5 Deputy Team Leader. 

About You

Selection Criteria

• Degree in international development, social science, evaluation or other relevant disciplines.

Essential Experience, Capacities and Knowledge

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in international development or similar environments, including at least five years MERLA-related experience focused on implementing and reviewing high-quality MERLA frameworks to support delivery of highly relevant outputs to inform program progress and impact reporting;
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges of achieving MERLA objectives in developing countries, preferably in the infrastructure sector;
• Strong understanding of the requirements for appropriate strategic communications for learning, sharing, influencing and public diplomacy in development contexts;
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of addressing GEDSI and CCDRR in implementation and review of MERLA frameworks;
• Outstanding communication and facilitation skills and experience conveying complex information to stakeholders of varying levels of experience or ability;
• Outstanding relationship management skills, including with donors, partner organisations and broader stakeholders in challenging, cross-cultural environments;
• Strong staff management and team leadership skills, including in challenging cross-cultural environments.

 Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: https://shorturl.at/bgub0

HOW TO APPLY
Click the 'Apply Now' button

Please submit
1) Your CV
2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

  
APPLICATIONS CLOSE Sunday 1st September 2024, 11:59pm AEST

Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.  Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.