Abt Global

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Analyst

Posted
20 June 2025 01:19pm
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Regions
South-East and East Asia
Sectors
Economic Development
Gender Equality
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Summary

About the Program 

Investing in Women: Women In Inclusive Sustainable Economic Recovery (IW) is a multi-country Australian Government initiative in Southeast Asia that seeks to accelerate women’s economic empowerment through increased and equitable opportunities in the private sector, contributing to inclusive, sustainable economic recovery and growth in targeted countries. 

Building on the results, partnerships, learnings and credibility established under the first eight years of the program, IW’s new phase will extend and deepen Australia’s contribution to supporting women in the region and advancing gender equality through continuing to influence an ecosystem of policymakers, business leaders, capital providers and women’s economic empowerment actors. 

Positioning women at the centre of economic resilience and recovery and accelerating their economic empowerment is critical to achieving a wide range of objectives pertaining to sustainable development in Southeast Asia. As the region recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, gender-sensitive economic recovery strategies will be critical to prevent further deterioration in women’s economic empowerment indicators seen during COVID-19. Focus on an inclusive recovery seeks to harness the productivity, skills, capacity, talent, innovation, and leadership that women offer, and realise the benefits of women’s economic empowerment for themselves, their families, and their communities.

IW continues the ambitious agenda of advancing women’s economic empowerment through:

  • Workplace Gender Equality – we support business coalitions that work with influential businesses on shifting workplace cultures, practices, and policy barriers to achieve workplace gender equality;

  • Enabling Policy Reforms – we support locally identified policy reform agendas to encourage private sector participation in the care economy;

  • Influencing Gender Norms – we support locally driven campaigns that positively shift gender norms that inhibit women’s economic participation; and

  • Gender Lens Investing – we work to increase access to capital by women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through partnering with capital providers, increase demand for gender lens investing strategies and product, and catalyse the supply of financial instruments available to growth-oriented small businesses led by women.

In collaboration with corporations and business leaders, policy stakeholders, capital providers, entrepreneurs, and advocates, we are working with those who are driving change for women’s economic equality in our region.   

IW supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 Agenda and the leveraging of private sector investments to achieve the Goals. The SDGs recognise that gender equality is not only an essential human right, but a necessary foundation for peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable societies.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has contracted Abt Associates Australia to implement IW. Abt Associates Australia is a mission-driven, global leader in research, evaluation, and implementing programs in health, social and environmental policy and international development. 

IW’s new phase is anticipated to be up to AUD 80 million in value, initially for four years (from January 2023 to June 2027), with an option to extend for a further six years. Initial countries of focus will be at least Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, with some activities engaging at a regional level.

Further information about IW can be found on www.investinginwomen.asia

Description

About the Opportunity 

IW is seeking a MERL Analyst to be based in Indonesia and will serve as a key liaison between IW and its in-country partners. The role plays a central role in cultivating productive relationships and ensuring effective collaboration with stakeholders. They lead a range of critical Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) activities, including alignment with IW’s overarching MERL Framework, data collection and quality assurance, analysis, and capacity strengthening. MERL Analysts support evidence-based learning and promote the strategic use of data to inform decision-making. They also contribute to cross-country MERL efforts, support the development of partner capabilities, and play a pivotal role in shaping IW’s learning agenda and reporting processes.

The MERL Analyst will be responsible for: 

MERL Framework:

  • Lead partners in developing Theories of Change and MERL plans, ensuring alignment with the IW MERL Framework.

  • Lead QA and monitor partner MERL plan implementation, adhering to the IW MERL Framework.

Data Collection & Management:

  • Lead and coordinate in-country data collection activities with the MERL and in-country teams.

  • Lead QA for partner data collection and IW MIS submissions.

  • Lead the design of key quantitative tools, such as surveys.

  • Provide insights for developing and finalizing practical, contextually appropriate, and culturally sensitive data collection tools and methods.

  • Liaise with the in-country IW team, partners, and stakeholders to facilitate data collection.

  • Oversee data collection, entry, and management, ensuring data quality and accuracy.

  • Conduct regular project site visits to monitor data collection and provide support.

Data Analysis & Reporting:

  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis using appropriate statistical methods and software.

  • Develop and maintain complex PowerBI dashboards for analysis and reporting.

  • Provide inputs for country-specific reports, presenting key findings, trends, and recommendations.

  • Effectively communicate and disseminate monitoring findings and recommendations to stakeholders per the MERL Framework and MERL team agreements.

  • Lead analysis for selected components of DFAT reports (e.g., EOPO Reports, Country Snapshots) and other products as directed.

Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing:

  • Provide training and technical support to in-country partners and stakeholders (including research contractors) on data collection, analysis, and reporting.

  • Foster a learning culture among partner organizations, organizing cross-partner learning events (including facilitation) and promoting data-driven decision-making, including drafting Learning Memos per the IW MERL Framework.

  • Contribute to developing MERL tools, methodologies, and best practices.

Relationship Building:

  • Nurture and maintain effective working relationships with partners and relevant in-country stakeholders, with in-country team support.

  • Coordinate with partners and stakeholders to ensure timely data and information for MERL.

  • Lead in-country partner management as feasible/directed.

Research:

  • Support review and QA of partner and contractor research plans and methodologies.

  • Monitor and support QA of research implementation by partners and contractors.

 

Employment type and location:    A citizen role, but open to others who have legal right to work in country under a local compensation package. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Duration:    Up to 30 June 2027; anticipated to commence in August 2025 or sooner.

 

About You 

We are seeking an individual who will bring: 

  • Strong technical skills and experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL), particularly in international development programs.

  • Proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods, including use of tools such as Power BI and statistical software.

  • Demonstrated ability to provide capacity building and facilitate learning across partner organizations.

  • Experience coordinating and supporting research implementation and quality assurance.

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across diverse teams and with in-country partners and stakeholders.

     

Key Selection Criteria 

For your application to be considered by the Panel, interested applicants must submit a response to each of the following Key Selection Criteria (KSC):

KSC 1.

Qualifications and/or work experience in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, statistics, international development).

KSC 2.

 Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. 

KSC 3.

Proficiency in quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis using statistical software (e.g., Power BI, statistical software).

KSC 4.

Familiarity with monitoring tools and methods.

KSC 5.

Strong presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.

 

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement for a position. At Abt Global we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every role requirement, we encourage you to apply in any case. You may be just the right candidate for this or for other roles.

 

How to Apply

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from experienced and capable women.

Please submit your application here: https://egpy.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/…; Upload your cover letter, CV and response to the KSCs.  Submit your CV and KSC response as a single Word or PDF document, and address how you meet the requirements of this role. We are unable to proceed with an application without the KSC statements.
 

Closing Date:  20 July 2025, Sunday, 11:59 PM, Philippine Standard Time  

 #LI-AUSBRIT

 

Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be conducted before the closing date. IW reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we have identified suitable candidates.

 

About Us 

Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at https://www.abtglobal.com/

Equity

Abt Global values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Safeguarding

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.