Adviser – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

Job Description

Program Background

The Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security was established in October 2017 to lead the design and delivery of the $300 million Health Security Initiative (2017-2022). The goal of the Health Security Initiative is to contributes to the avoidance and containment of infectious disease threats with the potential to cause social and economic harms on a national, regional or global scale. It aims to inform evidence-based planning, help prevent avoidable epidemics, strengthen early detection capacity, and support rapid, effective national and international outbreak responses. It does this by accelerating research on new drugs and diagnostics, expanding partnerships at the national, regional and global level to strengthen human and animal health systems, and deepening people-to-people linkages that build national and regional health security capacity. Funding for the initiative is drawn from Australia’s international development assistance program and applied to activities eligible to be classified as Official Development Assistance.

The Initiative is led by Australia’s Ambassador for Regional Health Security and implemented by the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security. The Centre, located in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, brings together expertise from relevant Australian government agencies and is advised by a distinguished Technical Reference Group.

The Centre is also responsible for design and implementation of the Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (Regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative | Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security (dfat.gov.au), for which $500 million has been committed over three years. The funding will help ensure that the countries of the Pacific and Timor-Leste can achieve full immunisation coverage and will make a significant contribution towards meeting the needs of Southeast Asia.

The monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) team in the Centre for Health Security consists of two in-house advisers and two external advisers. Key MEL products developed by the team to date are available at Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning | Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security (dfat.gov.au). The CHS uses DFAT’s monitoring and evaluation standards (DFAT monitoring and evaluation standards). A midterm progress report prepared by the MEL team will be published on the Centre’s website at the end of February.

Purpose of the Position

The Adviser assists with leading and coordinating the monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities for the Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security (Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security (dfat.gov.au). This is a full-time position but applications for flexible, part-time or remote work will be considered. The duration of the contract is from March 2021 (or as soon as possible thereafter) to 30 June 2022 with the option of an extension to 31 January 2023 subject to satisfactory performance and the Health Security Initiative being extended. The position is classified as a C2 position on DFAT’s Adviser Remuneration Framework.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide expertise and technical knowledge in MEL to the Centre for Health Security (staff and implementing partners) to strengthen MEL across the Initiative.
• Support the development and implementation of the Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access, and the Health Security initiative M&E framework and products as required.
• Assist with development and management of the MEL pipeline of work, including the preparation of tasking notes, review ToRs, workshops and guidance notes. This will include presenting at workshops with CHS implementing partners and support for the end of program evaluation for the Health Security Initiative, as well as potentially supporting the design of a second phase of the Initiative.
• Assist with management of CHS MEL contract and contractors, ensuring work for the Centre for Health Security is of appropriate quality.
• With direction, support risk assessment and risk management processes for the Centre for Health Security.
• With training, support CHS staff and implementing partners with the use of SmartyGrants (https://smartygrants.com.au) for progress reports and annual plans.
• High-level, strategic monitoring and analysis of financial and expenditure data to ensure the Initiative is on-track to meet EOPOs.
• Take a lead role in assuring the quality of the data collected for the Health Security Initiative Performance Assessment Framework, as well as analysing and presenting that data in a format that is fit-for-purpose.
• Mentoring and support to other CHS staff and program implementing partners on implementing the Performance Assessment Framework, investment performance reporting and accessing technical M&E support.
• Assist with collation of results on behalf of the CHS for the Partnerships for Recovery Development Strategy and other DFAT reporting requirements.
• Provide liaison and advice to other areas of DFAT on health security indicators as required
• Other duties as directed.

Specific duties will be as directed by DFAT. The Adviser will work under the direction of the Senior M&E Adviser, in consultation with the Director, Strategy and Enabling of the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security. The successful applicant will be working as part of a small cross-disciplinary team. Duties may change from time to time according to the workload of the team.

This work will involve engagement with stakeholders based in Australia and overseas.

Deliverables

The Adviser will be responsible for assisting with achievement of the following performance outcomes and deliverables:

• Assist with timely and quality implementation of the Health Security Initiative Performance Assessment Framework, including oversight of activities to revise the PAF, disseminate results from the PAF and conduct learning activities related to the PAF.
• Assist with quality assuring inputs into the Performance Assessment Framework and CHS MEL Plan, including supporting program managers with data collation from reports, supporting team with effective monitoring and project level reviews and evaluations.
• Ensuring all MEL takes account of the cross-cutting policy priorities of gender equality, disability inclusiveness, climate responsiveness and One Health.
• Oversight of CHS inputs for DFAT quality reporting cycle including working with program managers to prepare results required for the Partnerships for Recovery performance framework.
• Assist with implementation of management actions arising from mid-term progress report and with conduct of end-of-program evaluation.
• Contribute to effective contract and day-to-day management of the MEL team, including managing contract for external technical advisers.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders and working effectively with team members across the Centre for Health Security.

Key Selection Criteria

• At least 5 years’ experience in the development and delivery of monitoring, evaluation and learning products, ideally in an international development setting
• Degree in a discipline relevant to monitoring and evaluation, international development or public health.
• Fluency in English and demonstrated ability to express verbally and in writing complex ideas in clear and simple language.
• Experience working with the Australian Government and with a range of diverse technical consultants
• Ability to monitor and coach others in conducting monitoring and evaluations
• Experience in working with quantitative and qualitative data and using that data to inform policy makers
• High level Excel and Word skills
• Has or has the ability to obtain an NV1 security clearance.
• Experience of contract and risk management is preferable, but not essential.

How to Apply?

We welcome your interest in joining the team. Please click on this link to access the role: https://bit.ly/2Nz9Sn0 and apply with the following listed below or click the “Apply” button to submit your application. For a copy of the Terms of Reference copy and paste this link into your web browser: https://www.cardno.com/media/6990/tor_mel-adviser.pdf

For Applications Please Submit:

1. A maximum two-page cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

2. Up to date CV.

3. Details of three professional referees.

The closing date for applications is 12.00pm on Thursday 4 March 2021. For any queries regarding the positions please email laura.tracy@cardno.com.au

About the Organization

About Cardno

Cardno is a global provider of integrated professional services which enrich the physical and social environment for the communities in which we live and work. Our team of multidisciplinary specialists has more than 70 years’ experience designing, developing and delivering sustainable projects and community advancement programs. Cardno is committed to child protection in all fields. Cardno is an equal opportunity employer.

Cardno is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection and bribery prevention. We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All Cardno staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to a safer working culture.