KEY INFORMATION
 
Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director
Sector: Gender-based Violence Prevention
Position Type: Full-time
Duration/Level of Effort: long-term
Position Location: Bangkok, Thailand OR Manila, Philippines. This role is open to candidates from across Southeast Asia who currently have the right to live and work in either Thailand or Philippines.
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
 
The Southeast Asia Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Platform (the Platform) is a AUD20 million investment over five years (2023-24 to 2028-29). The investment will build on Australia's leadership in GBV prevention and response, by addressing a need and demand for increased investment in, and coordination of, GBV primary prevention initiatives in the Southeast Asia region. The Platform’s guiding principles include: locally driven, evidence-based, intersectional, survivor-centred and trauma informed, adaptive, collaborative and catalysing, minimise harm, accessible and innovative. It will bring together partner governments, WROs, NGOs, donors, international organisations, and regional bodies, providing a convening platform for these stakeholders to collaborate to build capacity and evidence, and improve and accelerate action to prevent GBV in all its forms.
 
The Platform will utilise and build on global evidence and learning to support practitioners to strengthen and increase locally-informed and led evidence-based policy and practice to prevent GBV within households, communities and countries across diverse settings. This includes both careful and high-quality adaptation of evidence-based models from other regions, support the capture and use of locally informed and led GBV prevention evidence and practice, as well as support to develop, strengthen and test new and innovative approaches to GBV prevention. The Platform will leverage Australian government partnerships with UN Women and UNFPA, and several complementary DFAT bilateral and regional investments. In addition, it will link to global, multilateral and Australian GBV prevention initiatives to extend and amplify program impacts and outcomes.
 
The regional Secretariat will be supported by an Incubator (Cowater International Inc. consortium), whose main role is to support organisational infrastructure (IT, HR, finance etc.) and organisational development of the Platform. This support is complemented by a Technical Partner (Social Development Direct) who will build the Secretariat’s capacity in GBV primary prevention.
 
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
 
Reporting to the Regional Director, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director will be responsible for the oversight and management of Platform’s monitoring and evaluation, research, knowledge management and learning functions, including packaging and dissemination of learning to diverse audiences. This includes supporting the development and implementation of a MEL Framework that aligns with DFAT’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Standards and systems. This role will also support the planning, development, and implementation of communication strategies in close collaboration with other Secretariat Leads. 
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Program Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Leadership
 

• Lead and manage the MEL Team
• Applying feminist MEL principles, develop and implement the MEL Framework (program logic, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and evaluation questions, Performance Assessment Framework (PAF), Performance Based Results (PBR), methods for sampling, data collection, management analysis, reporting and processing) in accordance with DFAT requirements and OECD DAC Markers on gender equality and disability inclusion.
• Establish processes for tracking participation in Platform activities and achievement of outputs and activities and progress in cross cutting issues.
• Design tools and instruments for capturing, analysing, storing, and sharing MEL information prescribed by the MEL Framework.
• Oversee the maintenance of the MEL System, ensuring continued relevance to the program’s activities and updating and improving as needed. 
• Contribute to preparation and on-time delivery of reports, in an agreed format and to a high level of quality for DFAT (such as six-monthly Progress Reports and Annual Reports against the MEL Framework, input to DFAT’s annual investment performance reporting processes, input into Annual Work Plans, revisions as needed to the MEL Framework, the Completion Report, etc.), ad hoc reports to the National Governments of partner countries as required, progress reports for the Steering Committee and other governance bodies, and any external reporting, as required.
• Communicate results to Cowater, DFAT, the Steering Committee and relevant stakeholders.
• Support partners to apply feminist MEL principles and develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks, processes and systems that will provide compatible and quality data that will enable meaningful reporting on the program outcomes.

Platform monitoring, reflection and evaluation
 

• Commission and manage Platform reviews and evaluation to support internal learning and decisions as required.
• Provide input to proposed methods, quality assurance and oversight of implementation and findings of review and evaluation processes, including quality assuring final products.
• Develop presentations and written reports based on findings.
• Provide data, as required, for DFAT-commissioned independent program evaluations and ensure findings from the evaluations are incorporated into Platform activities and policies as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Demonstrate Lead to design, organise and deliver high quality, accessible knowledge sharing events for external audiences.
• Provide support in planning, organising and implementing interactive internal learning activities on the Platform’s areas of focus, such as reflection and refocus workshops to support adaptive management. 
• Provide technical support to the Demonstrate Lead in the form of guidance on evaluative methods, review of evidence and other products and quality assurance, as required.

Human Resources Management
 

• Lead the recruitment of MEL staff, including developing job descriptions, conducting interviews and agreeing selection of candidates in collaboration with the Incubator team.
• Contribute to the technical and ethical delivery of the Platform, including ensuring that the Platform’s ethical standards of operation related to the conduct of the team and the design and implementation of Platform activities are applied consistently.
• Coordinate and oversee the MEL team including delegating tasks appropriately to relevant staff members and fostering an inclusive and supportive team environment in line with the Platform principles (listed in the background section above).
• Effectively manage and mentor MEL staff, including efficiently managing staff time, monitoring work performance, and approving timesheets.
• Effectively manage risk associated with this pillar of work, feeding emerging and changing risks and associated risk mitigation and management strategies into the Platform’s overall risk management approach, and coordinating with other Platform staff to effectively mitigate and manage risks that cut across work areas.
• Quality assure all MEL products developed by MEL staff.

 
JOB REQUIREMENTS
 

• A degree in the following or related fields: political science, social science, international development, business administration, etc.
• A post-graduate degree in a related field is desirable.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, managing, and implementing results-based MEL activities.
• Minimum 5 years of senior management experience directly leading a growing team.
• Extensive knowledge of reporting procedures for DFAT and/or other international donors, best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation and learning, including impact evaluation.
• Knowledge and understanding of the requirements for meeting and reporting against the OECD DAC Markers on gender equality and disability inclusion.
• Knowledge and understanding of feminist MEL principles and application.
• Experience designing and managing evaluations on issues related to gender equality, social inclusion, gender-based violence or similar, related topics.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing safeguarding systems, including preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), and child protection risk mitigation and management strategies.
• High level policy, analytical and political economy analysis skills.
• High level interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, delivering quality within given timeframes.
• Ability to perform to a high standard and deliver high quality outputs.
• Excellent communication in English language both written and oral.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS
 
Candidates are encouraged to apply by 31 January 2025/as soon as possible.
 
This position is open to candidates with existing work rights in Thailand and based in Bangkok or work rights in the Philippines and based in Manila.
 
To apply, send your CV and cover letter to collaborate@prevention-platform.org
 
Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. 
 
ABOUT US
 
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
 
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.