Adam Smith International

MEL Adviser (Short-Term)

Posted
16 May 2025 02:58pm
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Regions
Pacific
Sectors
Multisector
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Summary

About the Program 

Aviation is an important enabler of economic activity and human development in the Pacific. It connects Pacific countries to the world and each other, facilitating tourism, trade, labour mobility and access to health and education services. Aviation in the Pacific is disadvantaged by the small size of Pacific Island countries and their geographical remoteness, both from within each country, the region, and from international hubs.

The Australia – Pacific Partnerships for Aviation program (P4A) aims to strengthen Pacific aviation sector improve safety outcomes, increase cooperation and coordination among aviation actors and ultimately drive economic growth.

P4A will be delivered through three key outcome areas, including (but not limited to):

1. A stronger enabling environment, including improved governance, regulations, policies, and plans that strengthen the Pacific aviation sector and reform unsustainable practices.

2. Improved Safety, Quality and Reliability through strengthened technical capability and more common approaches that improve aviation operations' safety, quality, and reliability.

3. Greater coordination, cooperation, and connectivity are needed to maintain connectivity between

Pacific Island countries and strengthen regional and bilateral coordination and cooperation in regulatory and operational areas.

P4A will also mainstream cross-cutting sectors to ensure outcomes strengthen child protection and safeguarding, climate change resilience and adaptation, support locally led leadership and improve Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) outcomes.

P4A is currently a five-year program jointly implemented by DFAT and Adam Smith International. 

Position Summary 

The short-term MEL Adviser will provide technical advice to P4A, DFAT and ASI to establish the program’s five-year MEL Plan, systems and approaches that follow DFAT’s Design and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Standards. The Adviser will work with the Communications, Performance and Inclusion Lead (CPIL) to transition to the Final MEL Plan which is drafted according to the DFAT MEL Standard 5.

The Adviser will work with the MEL team to set up MEL systems and processes to ensure that monitoring data and reports of all P4A activities and progress outcomes are utilized to guide planning and program management decisions, meeting stakeholder and contractual requirements. This includes designing MEL templates and tools to effectively deliver the MEL Framework and Plan. 

The Adviser will provide high level strategic advice on how best to integrate MEL within the program life cycle including approaches to data collection, analysis and reporting for country and regional activities identified in the engagement strategies. The adviser will build the capacity of the program MEL team to better collate, monitor and report in real-time on the outputs and impacts of the program, The Adviser will also help design tools for country specific data monitoring which will complement the Program MEL Plan.

This position will be responsible for developing and establishing the P4A Data Management and Information System preferably using PowerBi in sharepoint.  

The Adviser will be expected to work alongside, and mentor, the CPIL and MEL and Inclusion Specialist to carry this work forward. 

Description

Duties and Responsibilties 

  • Update the Interim MEL Plan, and work with the CPIL to deliver the Final MEL Plan aligned with DFAT MEL Standards 5.
  • Lead the design of MEL systems, processes, tools and templates required to implement the MEL Plan.
  • Lead the development and operational set of an online Data Management and Information system and ensure it is appropriately housed and that it meets DFAT and ASI requirements
  • Support the MEL team to develop reporting templates for 6-monthly and Annual Reports and dashboards to enable evidence- based decision making and to demonstrate performance progress.
  • Provide technical advice to the MEL team to finalise reports, reviews and evaluations 
  • Design data collection systems and tools to better collate, monitor and report in real-time on the outputs and impacts of the program. 
  • Design tools for country specific data monitoring which will complement the Program MEL Plan.
  • Design template and tools for the program to better deliver analysis, assessment, reports and program evaluations
  • Provide mentoring and coaching for MEL team to fully operationalise the MEL Framework and Plan. 

Required Qualifications and Experience 

  • Tertiary qualification in international or community development, social science, evaluation, information or business management or other relevant discipline
  • At least seven (7) years’ experience in international development including at least 3 years’ in senior M&E experience in regional/ multi country programs
  • Demonstrated experience working on MEL, for investments funded by national donors or multilateral organisations
  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance of cross cutting priorities of GEDSI, climate change and addressing safeguarding risks, in development programs
  • Demonstrated experience in developing MEL systems and processes for new programs 
  • Demonstrated experience in setting up an online data management and information system.
  • Demonstrated experience working with project teams to ensure adequate data collection and reporting, for similar programs
  • Experience in producing and delivering timely, quality assured and analytical reports, including quantitative and qualitative data that demonstrates progress against program outcome areas 
  • Good knowledge of the Pacific context, in particular the aviation sector, management issues related to public awareness, and an understanding of aviation stakeholders, is an advantage.
  • Proficiency in using online data apps such as power-bi 
  • Excellent command of written and oral English both written and oral.
  • Ability to work with a team in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Strong mentoring and capacity- building skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and organisational skills.