Abt Global

Indigenous MEL Research Consultant - Fiji Program Support Platform

Posted
25 July 2025 12:58pm
Apply by
Regions
Pacific
Sectors
Effective Governance
Gender Equality
Multisector
GO TO PROVIDER WEBSITE
Summary

Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)

  • Short Term Personnel (locally engaged consultant) - up to 30 inputs day over 6 months
  • Based in Suva, Fiji

Program Overview: 

FPSP, also referred to as the ‘Platform’, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment, will contribute to the delivery of Fiji’s national development priorities, in line with the Australia’s International Development Policy, the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership and the Development Partnership Plan.  

The Platform will deliver key bilateral programs, such as health, education, scholarships, social infrastructure, governance, climate and emergency preparedness and response. Platform activities will identify and address climate risks, promote climate action, and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) across and beyond the sector programs. 

The Platform has three functional Outcomes:  

  1. The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including through supporting strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments.
  2. The Platform has prioritised gender equality, disability-inclusive development, and climate and disaster resilience, in its systems and practices. This includes in how it undertakes sector programming and its engagement with selected Government of Fiji (GoF) agencies
  3. The Platform administers timely and efficient programming that is: value for money; maximises use of local supply chains; and supports good governance, and public diplomacy, effective decision making and risk management. 

Project Overview: 

The FPSP Performance, Learning and Communications (PLC) Hub oversees the implementation of MEL systems across sector programs. The MEL team promotes learning, continuous improvement, and integration of Indigenous and community voices across all programs. This includes supporting the FPSP MEL Community of Practice (CoP), maintaining a MEL MIS, and embedding GEDSI, safeguarding, and climate resilience into MEL systems.

In response to the gap between conventional MEL frameworks and Indigenous worldviews, the Asia Pacific Evaluation Association (APEA), in collaboration with Indigenous and Youth Pacific, developed a regional Indigenous Evaluation Toolkit in 2023. Building on this foundation, there is a timely opportunity to localize and expand this work by developing a Fiji-specific Indigenous MEL Toolkit. This toolkit will support inclusive, ethical, and culturally responsive MEL practices that empower Indigenous communities to lead and shape learning and accountability processes. 

The development of a Fiji Indigenous MEL Toolkit will directly support these efforts by providing culturally grounded tools, principles, and practices that can be integrated into FPSP’s MEL architecture and used across sector programs. It will also contribute to the achievement of Fiji’s forthcoming National Development Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the shared ambitions of the Vuvale Partnership.

Description

Position Summary:

In close collaboration with the Platform Performance Learning and Communications (PLC) Team, and other relevant stakeholder such as the Platform MEL & Communication Community of Practice and Platform Consrotium Partners - Ninti One, Talanoa Consulting, and Clear Horizon - the consultant will will lead the co-creation, development, validation, and dissemination of a Fiji-specific Indigenous MEL Toolkit. This toolkit will reflect iTaukei and other Indigenous knowledge systems and be co-developed with Indigenous communities and FPSP partners. In line with the FPSP First Nations Engagement Framework, the role will also facilitate connections and shared learning with Australian First Nations MEL approaches, supported by the Platform’s Indigenous partner, Ninti One. The role requires strong facilitation, cultural competence, and MEL expertise 

Key Responsibilities: 

Scoping and Engagement

  • Complete literature review and conduct a desktop review of MEL frameworks and Indigenous knowledge systems.
  • Liaise with Indigenous Fijian Indigenous Engagement Adviser and Ninti One to understand existing Fijian and Australian First Nations MEL approaches and identify opportunities for reciprocal learning, in line with the FNEF’s principle of two-way knowledge exchange.
  • Complete stakeholder mapping to support identification of relevant stakeholders including iTaukei and other ethnic community representatives[RK1] [SM2] .
  • Complete initial consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Co-Design Sessions

  • Design and facilitate inclusive consultations using culturally appropriate methods (e.g., talanoa).
  • Organise and run participatory design sessions with MEL practitioners, cultural experts, and community leaders

Toolkit Development

  • Co-develop the MEL Toolkit, synthesizing inputs from mapping and design session to ensure the inclusion of:
    • Ethical protocols and guiding principles
    • Participatory MEL tools and storytelling methods
    • Glossary of Indigenous MEL terms
  • Ensure thorough review process with relevant Platform stakeholders 

Piloting and Refining

  • Facilitate field testing of the toolkit in selected FPSP programs
  • Organize validation workshops.
  • Pilot and refine the toolkit based on community feedback.
  • Finalise toolkit that reflects iTaukei epistemology and also aligns with FPSP MEL systems, and DFAT Standards, training sessions, and knowledge sharing events Develop training and dissemination materials.

Key Deliverables:

Work is expected to be completed between August and December 2025. The table below provides an indicative breakdown of the key stages 

Phase Deliverable Indicative Deadline
Scoping and Engagement Desktop review of MEL frameworks and Indigenous knowledge systems 5 September 2025
Co-Design Sessions Facilitated design sessions completed    30 September 2025
Drafting the Toolkit Draft Toolkit developed  31 October 2025
Piloting Field testing  30 November 2025
Finalization and Dissemination Final MEL Framework and dissemination materials 31 December 2025

Key Working Relationships:

Reporting to

  • Performance and MEL Manager and/or PLC Lead

Other

  • Talanoa Consulting, Clear Horizon, Ninti One, MEL Community of Practice, and other Stakeholders as identified in the Stakeholder mapping exercise

Selection Criteria

Qualifications

  • Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Indigenous Studies, or related field

Skills and Experience 

  • Proven experience in MEL, especially in Indigenous or community-based contexts
  • Strong understanding of iTaukei culture, language, and governance
  • Experience in participatory research and/or toolkit development
  • Excellent facilitation, writing, and communication skills
  • Familiarity with DFAT MEL standards and FPSP sector programs is desirable
  • Fluency in English; proficiency in iTaukei and/or Fiji Hindi is an asset

How to apply  

Applications close on 07 August 2025. 

Please apply online by submitting a cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of this role and an up-to-date comprehensive CV.