Policy and Research Officer | Human Development Monitoring and Evaluation Services

Job Description

Position: Policy & Research Officer (Long Term, Local Position)

Position Location: Port Moresby

Reports to: HDMES Research Manager

Project Description

Human Development Monitoring and Evaluation Services (HDMES) is a 4-year Australian Government program in Papua New Guinea. The purpose of HDMES is to provide the Australian Government and the Government of PNG with high quality advice and independent assessment about the performance of the Australian Government’s Health, and Education & Leadership portfolios. HDMES is supported by the Australian Government and is implemented by Adam Smith International and Clear Horizon through the PNGAusPartnership.

The functions of HDMES in Health, and Education & Leadership include:

• Advise and verify baselines and M&E frameworks of investments
• Conduct independent evaluations of DFAT investments
• Conduct annual reporting on Portfolio Program progress

Position Summary

HDMES has three M&E/Research Officer positions, with the overall purpose of working closely with the HDMES Research Manager, HDMES M&E Specialists and external consultants to increase understanding of Australian Government health, and education & leadership investments in Papua New Guinea. The roles are required to be flexible and adaptive, in response to Australian High Commission (AHC) requirements for monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities, undertaking reviews and evaluations, data collection, field missions, quantitative analysis and preparation of short analytical papers.

Duties and Responsibilities

For all three positions:

• Contribute to MEL activities, including MEL frameworks, data gathering and analysis, and writing up of results
• Contribute to reviews and evaluations, including design and planning of reviews, field visits, data gathering and analysis, and writing reports
• Contribute to preparation of short analytical papers and briefings
• Participate in building and maintaining collaborative and constructive relationships with the AHC, GoPNG agencies, implementing partners, and other stakeholders
• Provide operational and logistical support for HDMES activities as required, including provincial visits, and ensuring compliance with HDMES financial policies
• Work closely with HDMES Research Manager, HDMES M&E Specialists and external consultants as directed
• Contribute to a positive culture for performance management across Australian Government health, and education & leadership investments in Papua New Guinea

In addition to the duties and responsibilities above, each M&E/Research Officer will play a lead role in at least one of the following areas:

Research

• Undertake primary data collection, analysis of data, and report writing
• Provide support to other HDMES personnel and external consultants on research designs and approaches
• Participate in building and maintaining collaborative and constructive relationships with local and international research providers

Analytical

• Undertake analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data sets
• Provide support to other HDMES personnel and external consultants on interpretation and presentation of data
• Participate in building and maintaining collaborative and constructive relationships with data managers in GoPNG agencies, implementing partners, and other stakeholders

Policy and communication

• Undertake policy analysis of findings arising from HDMES activities, implementing partners, GoPNG agencies, and public domain
• Develop high quality written products, including short analytical papers and briefings
• Participate in building and maintaining collaborative and constructive relationships with AHC and GoPNG agencies, especially in relation to communicating about Australian Government health, and education & leadership investments in Papua New Guinea

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• A university degree (Bachelors or above) in a relevant field, for example social science, political science, public health, education, M&E or international development
• Strong understanding of the health and/or education sector
• Experience in M&E
• Experience working for donor-funded programs, preferably DFAT
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Ability to travel to provinces and districts

AND

• Experience in research and data collection through consultation with government, implementing partners, and community groups

OR

• Experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis

OR

• Experience in policy analysis and report writing for government or a development agency (preferably in the health and/or education sectors)

Desirable:

• Experience in field work (research or MEL or development-related)
• Fluency in written and spoken Tok Pisin
• A current PNG driver’s licence

About the Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated against the Selection Criteria contained in the Position Description (see attached). The applicants who best fit the Selection Criteria will be invited to Port Moresby for interview by a panel that will include a representative of the Australian High Commission. A short preliminary telephone interview will be required for candidates based in provinces. Referees will be contacted after interviews, and the preferred candidate will be required to provide police checks.

How to Apply

Your application must contain the following 2 documents:

• Your CV
• A 2-page statement describing how you meet each of the selection criteria above

Please attach these documents to one email and send to Australia.Recruitment@adamsmithinternational.com

Application must be received no later than 5:00pm (PGT) Saturday 28 March 2020.Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Organization

ASI is committed to continually improve the diversity of our workforce through the attraction, retention and development of a diverse range of talented people. We want people to be comfortable bringing their whole self to work and recognise that inclusion brings further opportunities for innovation and creativity.

# Happy to talk flexible working

Adam Smith International is a strategic development company that helps people prosper by making economies stronger, societies safer, and governments more effective. Our clients are governments, international organisations, companies, and foundations. They come to us to develop strategies and to design, deliver and evaluate programmes that, in turn, stimulate growth, stability and good governance.

Our core team of managers and technical experts, in offices around the world, ensures the quality of delivery and high ethical standards that we and our clients require. We bring together a global network of specialist experts, who contribute their experience and know-how, where and when it is needed.

ASI is owned and operated by its employees, and we are all dedicated to making a meaningful difference in complex, challenging situations. We are committed to corporate integrity and a triple bottom line of social, environmental and financial performance.