Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Officer
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Position Summary
This Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning Officer will support the MERL needs of the Strengthening Governance and Accountability (SGA) Cooperative Agreement. SGA has two components: Local Administration And Reform (LAAR) and the Mainstreaming Anti-corruption for Equity (MAE) Programs, but share a common M & E platform. The MERL Officer will be in charge of SGA M & E systems and may be assigned to supervise MERL staff. S/he will also take the lead in providing oversight for data collection  including training of staff and grantees, data quality and drafting reports. To promote SGA institutional memory and learning, the MERL Officer will collect and write up case studies and success stories. The MERL Officer will also be responsible for drafting donor reports and will serve as a representative of the SGA Program with stakeholders as requested.

Core Values
Pact employees embrace the following core values as representatives of the institution:

• all people have a right to participate in decisions affecting their lives
• gender equity is mandatory for social transformation
• resources are allocated in a transparent manner, guided by accountability to our clients and Pact’s role as steward of resources intended for the poor
• diversity in background, gender and age strengthen our capacity to be wise managers of public and private funds
• teamwork and collaboration shape our day-to-day working relationships
• innovation and risk taking to achieve impact and broad scaleable results drive strategic priorities
• gathering and sharing information are primary roles for all employees
• staff growth and advancement are a priority, including training and professional skills building to increase knowledge and competence and to stay abreast of new developments, especially in technology
• a healthy balance between work and life outside of work must be maintained for work satisfaction and fulfillment

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Collaboration and Communication

• Assist with collaboration and communication between the two component activities of SGA (MAE and LAAR), especially as this relates to MERL functions to support the interconnections between the two SGA components and their learning and reporting agendas;
• Participate in Pact’s Global MERL community of practice, and ensure that organization-wide learning and innovative approaches to MERL are applied to developing and/or updating SGA MERL systems and practice;
• Participate in relevant meetings, workshops, conferences when requested by SGA COPs.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Become familiar with Pact’s global MERL systems;
• Become familiar with existing monitoring and evaluation (M & E) standard operating procedures, systems and strategies used by SGA, and recommend and implement improvements wherever necessary;
• Assist in developing and updating SGA M & E guidelines and standard operating procedures;
• Oversee integration of LAAR and MAE monitoring procedures and databases, provide recommendations for optimum data management;
• Interact/train (with) program officers to make sure they understand M & E principles and requirements, and that they provide updated M & E data on a timely, as needed basis.  Accompany program officers to the field for spot checks of data quality;
• Provide input to the integration of participatory evaluation methodologies/techniques in the SGA program evaluation plan;
• Provide leadership in the analysis of SGA data and its contribution to program design;
• Assist with the supervision of SGA M & E staff, in association with MAE and LAAR directors (COPs)
• Develop plans and systems to improve the quality and timeliness of M & E data from SGA sub-grantees and partners; provide TA to partners on MERL when appropriate;
• Oversee SGA’s Data Quality/Risk Management Plan and activities for the LAAR and MAE Programs;
• Take the lead in preparing for any future Pact or USAID data quality audit;
• Become familiar with SGA’s Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP), including indicators and targets, and oversee data collection efforts related to the PMP;
• Provide monthly updates to SGA COPs on progress and/or problems related to achieving targets;
• Coordinate and provide opportunities for SGA staff development in program monitoring and evaluation.

Reporting and Learning

• Take leading role in collecting and analyzing information and data to support timely and substantive quarterly and annual reporting to USAID and/or other donors;
• Take lead role in drafting quarterly and annual reporting for USAID;
• Collect and write-up case studies, lessons learned and success stories relevant to LAAR and MAE;
• Lead the development of Public  Relations materials for SGA and its separate omponents;
• Participate in relevant conferences at the request of SGA COPs, collecting and cataloguing worthwhile handouts;
• Contribute to Cambodian country office strategic formulation processes.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years in overseas setting, with two (2) of these years focused on carrying out MERL functions;
• Proven track record with data management, including operations of Excel spreadsheets and Access Database; SPSS experience desirable;
• Experience preparing for, and/or carrying out, data audits;
• Demonstrated writing and analytical skills;
• Experience writing reports,  for USAID preferred;
• Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks;
• Proficiency in word processing (MS Word);
• Knowledge of data base software is preferred;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Strong facilitation and training skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially in multi-cultural teams;
• Strong writing, editing and proof-reading skills.

Education and Experience Requirements
Required
Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of experience is required

Preferred

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of MERL tools
• Experience in evaluation of USAID-funded democracy and governance programs

To apply for this position, please fill out the online application