Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Adviser, GCF Regional Tuna Programme

Description

The Pacific Community(SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division is one of SPC’s oldest Divisions and it has been providing scientific and technical expertise to support fisheries management and sustainable development in the Pacific for over 60 years. FAME’s goal is that fisheries resources of the Pacific region are sustainably managed for economic growth, food security and environmental conservation. FAME includes the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) and Coastal Fisheries Programme (CFP). OFP is the region’s centre for oceanic fisheries science and information, providing essential data collection, data management and modelling and analysis services to the Pacific. CFP provides science and technical support to PICTs to enhance the management of coastal fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture and nearshore livelihoods across the region. The work of OFP and CFP are supported by the FAME Director’s Office, which includes the Information Section, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role –the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Adviser, GCF Regional Tuna Programme will lead the implementation of monitoring,

evaluation and learning for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) - Regional Tuna Programme (RTP). The MEL adviser plays a key role within the Programme Management Unit, providing overall quality assurance for all MEL activities and shaping the overall MEL approach of the project and FAME; supporting the continuous improvement of data collection, reporting and learning processes in collaboration with FAME staff, SPC members and key partners; and aligning with the FAME Business Plan and existing MEL systems; whilst ensuring that GCF reporting obligations are met.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Lead the implementation (including data analysis and collection) of the GCF-RTP MEL Plan

• Oversee the strategic direction and management, including the design and implementation, of the MELF across the GCF-RTP and related projects.
• Ensure alignment of the GCF-RTP with the FAME Business Plan and its corresponding MEL Framework.
• Coordinate MEL elements of the GCF-RTP in close collaboration with FAME staff, implementing partners, and PICTs.
• Develop reporting templates, data collection instruments and other MEL systems / processes / tools to assist programme staff in collecting, analysing and using relevant information
• Provide supervision and management of the GCF-RTP MEL Officer, and any interns or consultants.

Provide overall quality assurance of MEL activities and deliverables

• Provide overall quality assurance of MEL activities and deliverables across GCF-RTP including results reporting, reviews and internal reflections.
• Support the PMU Coordinator in preparing any required GCF reporting and FAME’s contributions to SPC corporate reports and evaluations.
• Oversee all GCF-RTP reviews, evaluations and impact assessments to ensure consistently high-quality MEL deliverables.
• Facilitate learning and use of evaluation findings to inform programme improvement and promote opportunities to increase learning across FAME and with other SPC divisions.

Contribute to SPC FAME strategy, programme design and adaptation

• Ensure high quality information is available for decision-making and priority setting by the GCF-RTP team.
• Provide sound and timely advice to PMU Coordinator, FAME director and programme managers based on strategic insights gathered from MEL data and evidence.

Build MEL capacity and support

• Provide support and guidance to FAME staff, implementing partners, and participating PICTs to enhance understanding of MEL, evaluative thinking, and reporting processes and promote their use.
• Identify opportunities to enhance MEL capacity including providing remote mentoring and delivering any necessary training on GCF-RTP MEL and associated tools.
• Participate in MELnet, the SPC Community of Practice for culturally responsive and contextually relevant PMEL.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in relevant field such as international development, evaluation, public sector policy, economics, natural resource management, social science, business administration, or a related discipline or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 10 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation with a thorough understanding of international best practices in a range of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods and data analysis.
• At least 3 years of experience in the sustainable development sector.
• Proven record in the design of effective monitoring systems, data collection tools, and reporting and consolidating data from multiple locations and projects for results reporting.
• Experienced in strategic planning, consultation processes, and convening collaborative MEL processes.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines within budget constraints and flexible approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to train and motivate program staff on MEL systems, proposal development, monitoring and results reporting and use of online reporting tools.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills and report writing skills in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Strong people skills (influencing and relationship building) and ability to work in a multi-cultural and gender-sensitive environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 year and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.

Remuneration – The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Adviser, GCF Regional Tuna Programme is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale.

For a Noumea based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,397-5,400 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 642,655-789,288 (USD 5,848-7,182; EUR 5,385-6,614).SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

For a Suva based position – a starting salary range of 3,245‒4,057 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,768–12,211 (USD 4,316–5,395; EUR 3,975–4,969). Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.

Benefits for international staff employees – SPC provides a housing allowance (or subsidised housing in Noumea). Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

How to apply

Application procedure

Closing date: 20 July2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: SH000369

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. Through an example, describe your experience with implementing MEL frameworks in collaboration with multiple stakeholders from different backgrounds. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
2. Based on your knowledge, what are the 3 main elements of successful MEL for a Green Climate Fund project?
3. Can you share an example of how you have used MEL data and insights to facilitate learning and improvement?