Position: MERL Lead, CAPRED

Reports to: MERL and GEDSI Director, CAPRED 

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Duration: May 2024 – May 2025, renewable  

Employment type: Full - Time

Program Background

The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience over the next four years, with a possible three-year extension. 

The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment, which promotes a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy (RISE). 

CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components including: Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and one Cross-Cutting component comprising: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support. and policy support. GEDSI is at the heart of all that CAPRED does. 

Position Summary

The MERL Lead is a senior leadership position for the CAPRED Facility. Having responsibility for MERL work areas, the role will require a high degree of technical knowledge and stakeholder relationship management skills. The role is intended to ensure that inclusion is situated at the heart of CAPRED’s implementation, management systems and results management framework. The position will be responsible for: 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

1. Strategic Leadership
   •  
   • Develop and implement the Program MERL Framework, including intervention logic, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Performance Assessment Framework (PAF), and Performance-Based Reporting (PBR).
   • Provide strategic guidance to the CAPRED team on MERL methodologies, tools, and approaches to enhance program effectiveness.
   • Collaborate with the domain leads and cross-cutting leads to integrate MERL considerations into program planning, implementation, and decision-making processes.
   •  
2. Team Management and Capacity Building
   •  
   • Provide strategic guidance to the CAPRED team on MERL methodologies, tools, and approaches to enhance program effectiveness.
   • Collaborate with the leadership team to integrate MERL considerations into program planning, implementation, and decision-making processes.
   •  
3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
   •  
   • Provide strategic guidance to the CAPRED team on MERL methodologies, tools, and approaches to enhance program effectiveness.
   • Collaborate with the leadership team to integrate MERL considerations into program planning, implementation, and decision-making processes.

The position will require:

Technical expertise: Strong understanding of MERL, and program performance frameworks.

Leadership and management: Proven ability to lead and motivate diverse teams, including external advisors, and mentoring and developing the skills of junior staff.

Stakeholder engagement: Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.

Analytical and strategic thinking: Ability to analyse data, develop strategies, and translate them into practical action.

Emotional intelligence: High level of interpersonal sensitivity and cultural awareness. This role is crucial in ensuring CAPRED's work truly inclusive and delivering impactful results across all Program areas.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications Essential:

Program MERL Expertise:

• Extensive experience (more than 10 years) designing, managing, and operating Program MERL frameworks. 
• Senior management experience directly leading a growing team.
• Proven ability to translate strategies into action and deliver measurable outcomes.

Leadership and Communication:

• Strong team leadership, risk management, and organisational skills, with demonstrably successful coaching and mentoring experience.
• Excellent cross-cultural and interpersonal communication skills, known for collaborative leadership and consensus building.
• Highly advanced written and oral English communication skills with a track record of effectively sharing learnings and research.

Strategic Thinking and Analysis:

• Proven strategic thinker with the ability to analyse complex situations, develop appropriate responses, and conceptualize, design, and implement major projects.
• High-level policy and analytical skills with a deep understanding of gender equality and power dynamics, ideally in the Cambodian context.
• Experience developing and managing partnerships with the private sector (Southeast Asia experience preferred).

Desirable:

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in international development, gender studies, public policy, business, economics, or a related field.
• Knowledge and experience with DFAT contracting policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the Cambodian context.
• Experience working on a Facility approach program.

This is a full-time position with attractive monthly remuneration package being commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Closing Date: Sunday 21 April 2024 

How to apply

Please send your cover letter and CV with name and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees to recruitment@capred.org mentioning the position you apply for in the subject line “MEARL Lead”. 

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to the professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.  CAPRED aims to have a diverse workforce at all levels, and a workplace that is supportive of gender equality, disability and social inclusion. Women, people with disabilities and other minorities are highly encouraged to apply.

Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for interview.