Position : Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer

Reports to: GEDSI and MERL Director, CAPRED

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Duration:  Initially one (1) year, with the possibility of extension for good performers

Employment type: Full time  

Contractual arrangement: Eligible for Cambodian residents/citizens only 

Remuneration: Attractive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience in line with CAPRED’s salary scale.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Are you a collaborative and driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment? Are you eager to grow your expertise and make a meaningful impact in the development sector? Join our dynamic team as a MERL Officer, where you'll play a key role in driving evidence-based decision-making and fostering positive change.

The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience over the next three 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 Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer will be responsible for leading the implementation of CAPRED’s MERL Strategy and System, ensuring robust systems for data collection, analysis, reporting, and knowledge sharing. This role will facilitate evidence-based decision making across portfolios, contributing to adaptive learning and demonstrating program results to stakeholders. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Implement and operationalise MERL strategy: Support the operationalisation of CAPRED’s MERL strategy, including the Intervention Guides, key performance indicators, evaluation questions, data collection methods, management, analysis, and reporting. 
• Collaborate across teams: Work closely with Investment Managers and the rest of the MERL team to track program beneficiaries, measure long-term impact, and support knowledge management and evidence generation for facility learning and communication. 
• Conduct or commission studies: Oversee evaluative or research studies in collaboration with M&E and/or Research short-term consultants, following the MERL Framework and Plan.
• Report preparation: Contribute to the preparation and timely delivery of high-quality reports for DFAT (e.g., six-monthly Progress Reports, Performance Assessment Framework), the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), target ministries, the Program Steering Committee, and any external reporting requirements.
• Maintain ethical standards: Ensure that MERL and data collection processes adhere to ethical standards, embedding principles of inclusivity and resilience across all components.

ESSENTIAL

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, development studies, public policy, statistics, or a related field.
• Basic understanding of MERL principles, including monitoring indicators, data collection, and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, clean, and organise data for analysis and reporting.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow data management and quality assurance protocols.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to contribute to team-based learning and reporting processes.
• Commitment to GEDSI principles and interest in learning inclusive MERL practices.

DESIRABLE

• Up to one year of work or internship experience in a MERL, research, or administrative support role, preferably in a development context.
• Familiarity with digital data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, Google Forms) or Microsoft Excel for basic analysis.
• Understanding of or interest in gender-responsive and inclusive evaluation practices.
• Ability to write short summaries or contribute to reports and data visualizations.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to project sites for field monitoring and support.
• Fluency in Khmer and good working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application process will close once the position is filled, or if not, at 5 PM Cambodia time on 31 January 2026.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your CV and cover letter 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 “MERL Officer”. 

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.