Manager - Monitoring Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager

Location

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Reports To

Country Director

Direct Reports

MEL Officers, Data Management Officers, Information Management Officers, Research and Evaluation Consultants (as applicable)

 

ABOUT CHILDFUND PNG

ChildFund Papua New Guinea (CFPNG) is committed to helping children and young people thrive. Working alongside communities, government, civil society organisations, and development partners, CFPNG delivers Programs in child protection, education, health, resilience, climate adaptation, youth development, and operates the national 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain.

ChildFund PNG places a strong emphasis on evidence-based programming, accountability to communities, learning, and continuous improvement to ensure sustainable outcomes for children and their communities.

 

POSITION PURPOSE

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for monitoring, evaluation, accountability, research, knowledge management, and learning across ChildFund PNG's portfolio of Programs and projects.

The position is responsible for strengthening organisational evidence, Program quality, accountability mechanisms, data systems, and learning processes to support effective decision-making, adaptive management, donor compliance, and organisational performance.

The MEAL Manager will lead the development and implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation systems, ensure high-quality data management and analysis, oversee Program evaluations and research, strengthen accountability to communities, and promote a culture of learning and evidence-based programming across the organisation.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the role contributes to organisational strategy, Program quality, business development, risk management, and continuous improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Leadership and MEAL System Strengthening

• Provide strategic leadership for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of ChildFund PNG's MEAL systems.
• Develop and implement organisational MEAL strategies, frameworks, standards, tools, and procedures.
• Ensure consistency and quality of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning approaches across all Programs.
• Promote the use of evidence for Program design, management, adaptation, and decision-making.
• Strengthen organisational capacity in results-based management and adaptive programming.
• Support senior management with evidence and analysis to inform strategic decisions.

1. Monitoring and Performance Management

• Lead the development and implementation of Program monitoring frameworks, performance measurement systems, and indicator tracking mechanisms.
• Ensure all projects have quality logframes, theories of change, results frameworks, and monitoring plans.
• Establish systems to monitor Program performance, outputs, outcomes, and impact.
• Conduct regular Program performance reviews and identify areas for improvement.
• Support Program teams to analyse and utilise monitoring data for Program management and decision-making.
• Ensure timely collection, verification, and reporting of Program performance data.

1. Evaluation, Research and Learning

• Lead baseline studies, assessments, mid-term reviews, end-line evaluations, and impact evaluations.
• Oversee research activities and ensure adherence to ethical and quality standards.
• Develop terms of reference and manage consultants undertaking evaluations and research assignments.
• Promote utilisation of evaluation findings and recommendations.
• Facilitate organisational learning processes and reflection sessions.
• Document lessons learned, innovations, best practices, and evidence of impact.
• Ensure learning informs Program design and future programming.

1. Accountability and Community Feedback Mechanisms

• Strengthen accountability systems that promote participation, transparency, and responsiveness.
• Ensure effective feedback and complaints mechanisms are established and functioning across Programs.
• Monitor the effectiveness of accountability systems and community engagement processes.
• Analyse feedback data and ensure findings inform Program improvements.
• Promote accountability to children, communities, partners, donors, and other stakeholders.

1. Data Management and Information Systems

• Management  organisational data systems and information management platforms.
• Ensure data quality through routine data verification, validation, and quality assurance processes.
• Oversee database management and information systems used across Programs.
• Ensure data security, confidentiality, and compliance with data protection requirements.
• Support the use of digital data collection and management tools.
• Produce dashboards, analytical reports, and performance summaries.

1. Program Quality and Technical Support

• Provide technical support to Program teams in Program design, indicator development, data collection methodologies, and results measurement.
• Support the integration of safeguarding, gender equality, disability, and social inclusion indicators into Program frameworks.
• Ensure quality standards are applied throughout the Program cycle.
• Promote evidence-based programming and continuous quality improvement.

1. Donor Reporting and Compliance

• Ensure Program data and evidence meet donor reporting requirements.
• Review and validate Program reports before submission.
• Support donor reporting, audits, evaluations, and learning reviews.
• Ensure compliance with donor monitoring, evaluation, and reporting requirements.
• Contribute to the development of annual reports, board reports, and strategic reports.

 

1. Business Development and Resource Mobilisation

• Support proposal development processes through the design of results frameworks, theories of change, indicators, and monitoring plans.
• Contribute to Program design and business development initiatives.
• Provide technical input into funding proposals and donor submissions.
• Support the development of evidence and impact documentation to strengthen fundraising efforts.

1. Team Leadership and Capacity Strengthening

• Provide mentoring, coaching, and technical guidance to staff.
• Build organisational capacity in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Support staff performance management and professional development.

1. Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning

• Lead organisational knowledge management initiatives.
• Develop systems for capturing, sharing, and applying organisational learning.
• Promote cross-Program learning and knowledge exchange.
• Support publication of research findings, learning briefs, case studies, and evidence products.
• Strengthen organisational learning systems and communities of practice.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the MEAL Manager will:

• Contribute to organisational strategy, planning, and performance management.
• Support organisational risk management and compliance processes.
• Provide strategic advice to the Country Director and SMT.
• Promote ChildFund values and organisational culture.
• Support organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure safeguarding is integrated within all monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning activities.
• Ensure ethical data collection practices involving children and vulnerable adults.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive information.
• Comply with ChildFund safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Report safeguarding concerns through established reporting mechanisms.

 

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Health, Development Studies, Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Research Methods, International Development, or a related field.
• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant discipline with significant MEAL experience may be considered.

Required Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning, and research roles.
• At least 3 years in a management or senior technical leadership position.
• Experience designing and managing complex MEAL systems for donor-funded Programs.
• Experience leading evaluations, assessments, and research studies.
• Experience managing data systems and information management platforms.
• Experience supporting Program design and proposal development.
• Experience working with international NGOs and donor-funded Programs.

Essential Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of results-based management and adaptive programming.
• Advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Experience with digital data collection and data visualisation tools.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills.
• Strong facilitation and capacity-building skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management capabilities.
• High level of attention to detail and commitment to quality.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Leadership
• Evidence-Based Decision Making
• Accountability and Integrity
• Collaboration and Partnership Building
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement
• Results Orientation
• Child-Focused Programming
• Safeguarding and Ethical Practice