Job Description
Background: The USAID Papua New Guinea (PNG) Biodiversity Program is a five-year conservation program based in Port Moresby but working in the Madang Province region extending into the Bismarck Forest Corridor, and the Yapno, Uruwa and Som (YUS) Conservation Areas in Morobe Province. The program will strengthen management of environmental resources in PNG to promote conservation of the country’s exceptional biodiversity and enhance the resilience of its people. The biodiversity program will reduce significant threats to priority biodiversity hotspots in PNG by supporting communities to manage their customary lands and waters, working at both national and local levels to develop the capacities needed to provide communities with the legal, technical, and financial resources required to achieve the sustainable management of their natural resources.
The USAID PNG Biodiversity Program seeks a MEL Expert Consultant to develop a MEL Plan and facilitate training with specific staff in PNG. The successful consultant must be aware of USAID’s MEL Plan requirements and be able to quickly understand the needs of the program in PNG.
Responsibilities Under this SOW, the consultant will work on two activities as outlined below:
- The consultant will develop a quantitative methodology for observing and measuring the impact of the USAID PNG Biodiversity Program focusing on evidence-based outcomes. The consultant will be responsible for developing a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (MEL Plan) which is a set of guidelines and procedures for monitoring and evaluating the program’s impact on local communities, provincial and national government counterpart agencies, and the environment through key indicators tracked as described in Annex A and suggest additional custom indicators that may be considered. The consultant will develop indicators and monitoring methodologies after review of the program’s technical proposal and consultation with program management and other stakeholders or partners. The MEL Plan will guide program data collection and improve ongoing and future program activities in accordance with findings from the collected data to ensure efficient use of program funds and maximization of program utility and impact.
- The consultant will train the USAID PNG Biodiversity Program local staff on bestpractices for and use of monitoring, evaluation and learning efforts to ensure effectiveness and consistency with USAID indicators for data quality and verification procedures as specified in the USAID Automated Directives System (ADS). The consultant will work with USAID PNG Biodiversity staff through the Chief of Party to modify existing program processes if significant areas for improvement are identified. The consultant will work on strengthening the program’s procedures on data collection and verification as well as the PNG field office’s ability to perform MEL tasks and effectively implement adjustments to the work plan that reflect data-based lessons learned.
The consultant’s detailed responsibilities will include:
- Provide guidance and strategic direction in setting up a monitoring, evaluation and learning program/approach for the start-up of the USAID-PNG Biodiversity Program that meets USAID needs, and contributes to learning and program performance improvement;
- Meet with USAID-PNG Biodiversity Program Chief of Project, staff and implementation partners to ensure the MEL Plan is inclusive of all program participants and their expectations, and to consolidate program annual and Life-of-Project targets;
- Lead development of the program’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework and draft the MEL Plan and Manual to be submitted to USAID;
- Provide technical assistance and training to pertinent program staff to develop appropriate (custom) indicators, evaluation methods and targets to measure activity results that indicate successes and challenges unique to the PNG Biodiversity program;
- Write analytical and technical sections of program work plan and MEL report that effectively communicates monitoring, evaluation, and learning program design;
- Ensure systems and processes for continuous learning and adaptation are reflected in the MEL Plan and provide recommendations to changes in approaches, interventions, performance monitoring and/or work plans as necessary;
- Include in the MEL Plan approaches to knowledge management and learning activities that support reporting of results and lessons learned, and dissemination of programmatic impacts.
- Train project partners on data collection and processing to ensure data collected meets indicator needs and requirements;
- Work with the Director of Finance and Operations to link project spending to progress on outcomes and intermediate results.
Deliverables: Est LoE Collaborative Development of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning matrix and outline of ME&L Plan and Manual with Partners
7 days
INITIAL DRAFT of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan
3 days
INITIAL DRAFT of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manual
3 days
Draft text for PNG Biodiversity Project Workplan section on ME&L Program
1 day
Review of and guidance on collection of baseline assessment and data
2 days
Lead presentation and discussion on MEL Plan with program staff and partners
2 days
Training of specialized MEL staff
2 days
FINAL DRAFT of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan
5 days
FINAL DRAFT of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manual
4 days
FINAL DRAFT of Informational Fact Sheet about ME&L Program
1 day
TOTAL NUMBER OF ESTIMATED LOE (Days)
30 days Qualifications: Required Minimum Education: BS/BA in relevant field of study such as development studies, economics, monitoring and evaluation of development programs or business management (MS/MA preferred)
Required Experience: At least 10+ years of experience development studies, economics, monitoring and evaluation of development programs, business or related field.
Knowledge and Skills:
- 10+ years of experience designing MEL plans and measuring results against work plan for international donor funded projects (USAID, AU DFAT, UK DFID, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, etc.), Preference for experience with projects addressing natural resource management and biodiversity foci.
- Experience in developing program-monitoring indicators (especially for biodiversity) as well as in monitoring and evaluation methods.
- Knowledge of USAID specific monitoring, evaluation and learning criteria referenced in USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS)
- Experience working on biodiversity conservation or natural resource management programs with a gender lens a plus;
- Excellent conceptual, oral and written communication skills in English (required);
- Proven ability to work under pressure in an ambiguous environment and meet management deadlines;
- Experience in Papua New Guinea or the region preferred.
Estimated Period of Performance: 1 April, 2020 – 30 June, 2020
Estimated LoE: 30 days
Equal Opportunity statement: Cardno has a long standing policy of Equal Opportunity in employment. Our practice is to fill positions by selecting applicants who can perform the work in a competent and professional manner. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. At any time, if you need an accommodation during the application process, please contact Human Resources at jobs@cardno.com.
Cardno is a professional infrastructure and environmental services company, with specialist expertise in the development and improvement of physical and social infrastructure for communities around the world. Cardno’s team includes leading professionals who plan, design, manage and deliver sustainable projects and community programs. Cardno is an international company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange [ASX:CDD].
Visit our website at www.cardno.com/internationaldevelopment - to learn more about
Cardno Emerging Markets USA, Ltd. Applicants must submit their CV and Cover Letter, including “PNG and Job Title” on the subject line of the email. CV and cover letter should be sent to the following email address:
recruit@cardno.com
