About Palladium

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 2,000 employees operating in 75-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.

About PNG-Australia Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT)

The PNG–Australia Strongim Wok Long Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) (SWLT) program is a four-year, AUD 80 million investment by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to support Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) efforts to strengthen its TVET sector. Aligned with PNG’s national priority to build an educated and skilled workforce for resilient economic growth, SWLT aims to enhance the quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of skills development. The program supports improvements in national quality assurance systems, technical college standards, graduate employability, and Australia’s visible and trusted development partnership with PNG.

The program aligns with the broader goals of the Australia–PNG Development Partnership Plan 2024–2029, which emphasises locally led development, education investment, and inclusive growth, as well as PNG’s Higher and Technical Education Reform Act 2020.

This Opportunity

As Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning Manager you will be responsible for leading and managing the implementation, delivery and continuous improvement of SWLT’s MERL system, framework and associated activities. The role has overall responsibility for ensuring the program generates, analyses and uses high-quality monitoring, evaluation, research and learning evidence to support adaptive management, accountability and reporting requirements.

This will include: 

• Lead the implementation, management and continuous improvement of the SWLT MERL Framework, MERL Plan and associated systems, tools and processes.
• Ensure the effective collection, analysis, quality assurance and use of monitoring, evaluation, research and learning data across all areas of program delivery.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the MERL function and ensure MERL activities are delivered in accordance with approved workplans, budgets and reporting requirements.
• Lead and supervise the MERL team, including work planning, performance management, professional development and quality assurance of all MERL outputs.
• Ensure SWLT's MERL systems remain accessible, proportionate, collaborative, localised and capable of capturing differentiated results across all program activities and stakeholder groups.
• Foster a supportive team culture within the MERL team, including the proactively management of Senior MERL Coordinators.
• Work closely with the international MERL support team and other technical advisers to strengthen MERL approaches, build team capability and continuously improve MERL systems and practice.
• Ensure SWLT's MERL approach remains aligned with DFAT MERL Standards and is:
• Efficient and fit-for-purpose;
• Consistent with international good practice, standards and ethical approaches relevant to TVET and skills development;
• Capable of supporting reporting against DFAT's Investment Performance Reporting requirements;
• Inclusive and responsive to diverse stakeholder needs;
• Supportive of partner engagement, participation and learning; and 
• Designed to generate evidence that informs decision-making, program adaptation and strategic planning.
• Lead the preparation and delivery of MERL-related reporting, reviews, evaluations, learning products and other program deliverables.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with GoPNG stakeholders, implementation partners, DFAT and other relevant stakeholders to promote shared understanding, ownership and use of evidence and learning.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and capacity strengthening support to SWLT staff and partners to improve monitoring, reporting, learning and evidence-based decision making.
• Ensure all MERL data, systems and processes comply with relevant standards for quality, ethics, safeguarding, privacy and information management.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing, reflection and adaptive management processes across the program to strengthen learning and improve delivery outcomes.
• Ensure any additional MERL-related activities, evaluations or support services requested by DFAT are effectively planned, managed and delivered to a high standard.
• Work closely with the SWLT Public Diplomacy team to identify, document and communicate program achievements, lessons learned and evidence of impact.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of solutions that deliver value and ensure SWLT principles are embedded within program delivery.
• Support and uphold the organisation's commitment to environmental sustainability, including promoting climate-conscious and resource-efficient practices within MERL activities and operations.

About you

You will demonstrate proven experience in the following areas:

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing monitoring, evaluation and learning systems and implementing MERL plans. 
• Knowledge and understanding of DFAT MERL Standards, aid policies and strategies, and other relevant government policies. 
• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.  
• Highly developed communication skills and demonstrated experience in stakeholder consultation and engagement.
• An understanding of tertiary and vocational education in the Pacific Islands context, particularly within PNG provincial environments.  
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively and collaboratively to team-based environments.
• Adaptability and initiative in managing competing priorities and delivering results in a complex environment.
• Participation and positive engagement in diverse teams, supporting a results-driven culture of learning and inclusion.

To Apply

Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position through https://palladium.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/25324?c=palladium

Closing date: Saturday 25^th July 2026, 11.59pm AEST

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.