• Long Term Adviser position, 12 month contract
• Canberra based, however applications for flexible, part-time or remote work will be considered
• Monthly remuneration of AUD $10,946 - $13,683 depending on experience (inclusive of superannuation)

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 (HSI) (2017-2022). The goal of the HSI is to contribute to the avoidance and containment of infectious disease threats with the potential to cause social and economic harm 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 levels 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.

Since late 2020, the Centre has also been responsible for the design and implementation of the Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI).

About the Opportunity

The Senior Adviser – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) will lead and coordinate MEL activities for the Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security. The position will lead the implementation of MEL systems for the Health Security Initiative (HSI) and the Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI) and will deliver part of the MEL team’s wider work. The Senior Adviser will work in the MEL team comprising three in-house Adviser positions; the Team Lead, this Senior Adviser and an Adviser.

The Senior Adviser - MEL will be responsible for:

• Leading on implementation of the MEL systems for the Health Security Initiative (HSI) and the Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI).
• Leading the development and implementation of MEL frameworks for the HSI and VAHSI at country and activity levels, including reporting against them.
• Providing technical advice on MEL in a health security context and apply this expertise in the development of MEL frameworks, tools and products for the HSI and VAHSI.
• Taking a lead role in preparing performance reporting for HSI and VAHSI. This includes preparing an evidence base for and drafting progress and Investment Monitoring Reports for VAHSI, and quality assuring performance reporting for the HSI.
• Taking ownership of and delivering part of the MEL team’s wider pipeline of work. This might include preparing tasking and guidance notes, evaluation and review of ToRs, evaluation team management, and implementation or oversight of evaluations and final reports.
• Overseeing a system to collect, organise and analyse data against the HSI and VAHSI PAF and MEL Framework and coordinate its use by the MEL Team and other stakeholders
• Managing external contracts and consultants for the delivery of MEL work, ensuring that the process and deliverables are fit for purpose and of appropriate quality.
• Mentoring the in-house MEL Adviser, including supporting day to day work.
• Mentoring and supporting other DFAT staff and implementing partners on the design and implementation of MEL frameworks, progress reporting and accessing technical MEL support.
• Working with other members of the Operations Support Team to ensure risk management and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) is appropriately included in MEL products and reporting.
• Leading on collation of results on behalf of the CHS for the Partnership for Recovery Development Strategy and other DFAT reports, as required.
• Providing liaison and advice to other areas of DFAT on Partnership for Recovery health security indicators as required.
• Other duties as directed.

Specific duties will be as directed by DFAT. The Senior MEL Adviser will work under the direction of the MEL Team Lead, and as part of a small cross-disciplinary team that covers MEL, GEDSI, risk management and safeguards, and financial and knowledge management. 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.

The Senior MEL Adviser will be responsible for the following performance outcomes and deliverables:

• Timely oversight, coordination and quality assurance of the VAHSI country-level MEL frameworks, and reporting, including support for program managers and MEL consultants with data collection and analysis for country reporting.
• Lead, coordinate and quality assure preparation of six-monthly and annual HSI and VAHSI investment progress reports to the HSI and VAHSI steering committees and senior management and the annual HSI and VAHSI Investment Monitoring Reports.
• Development and management of a system to collect data for reporting against the HSI and VAHSI PAF, including sourcing data, overseeing or undertaking data entry, and undertaking analysis.
• Advise on, support and quality assure relevant evaluations and other MEL activities that are led by other program areas within DFAT, or undertaken by partners.
• Ensuring all MEL takes appropriate account of the cross-cutting policy priorities of gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) and climate responsiveness. HSI activities must also take appropriate account of 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.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders and working effectively with team members across the Centre for Health Security.

Selection Criteria

We are seeking an individual who will bring:

• At least ten years of experience in the development and delivery of monitoring, evaluation and learning products for international development and/or international public health.
• Experience in quality assuring and analysing qualitative and quantitative data and using that data to report progress and performance, and to inform policymakers.
• Experience working with the Australian Government and with technical consultants.
• Degree in a discipline relevant to monitoring and evaluation, international development or public health.
• Ability to monitor and coach others in conducting monitoring and evaluations.
• High-level Word and Excel skills, including the ability to manage and present complex information.
• Holds or has the ability to obtain an NV1 security clearance.
• Fluency in English and demonstrated ability to express verbally and in writing complex ideas in clear and simple language.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• Experience with and understanding health systems strengthening is preferable, but not essential.
• Experience with and understanding of DFAT M&E systems is preferable, but not essential.

How to Apply

To view the position on the Abt Careers Website please click Apply Now.

Please submit your application online; attach your resume/CV and a cover letter (as a single PDF document) addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.

Abt Associates acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we live and work. We pay respect to elders both past and present.

About Us

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtassociates.com

Equity

Abt Associates values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Safeguarding

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.