KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: MEL Quality, Reporting and Capacity Building Adviser
Reports to: MEL Lead, with dotted line to Deputy TL
Direct Reports: None
Location: Home-based, with travel to Manila and program locations as required
Duration: Defined short-term advisory input of up to 35 days from October 2026 to June 2027, with any additional input requiring prior approval.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT
The DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender Equality (SPRING) program is Australia's flagship investment of support to the Philippine Government on Social Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Indigenous Inclusion. It is an AUD 40 million investment over 5 years that will support the joint Development Partnership Plan (DPP 2024-2029) between the Government of Australia and the Philippine Government. The investment is DFAT's primary avenue in the Philippines for supporting poverty reduction and bilateral funding on gender equality and social inclusion at the national level and with some select Local Government Units (LGUs). SPRING supports efforts under Australia's new International Development Policy and DFAT's forthcoming new strategies on gender equality, disability equity, and rights, and translate these into implementation in the Philippines.

SPRING contributes to the goal that the social and economic transformation in the Philippines reduces poverty and provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos in line with the Philippine Development Plan.
The objective of SPRING is that Australia works in partnership with the Philippine Government to improve systems and structures that reduce poverty and inequality, and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities.
SPRING has four mutually reinforcing End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

Philippine Government social protection plans, policies and programs increasingly close gaps in the social protection floor.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and select LGU systems increasingly deliver quality social protection that is inclusive, gender and shock responsive, and climate sensitive.
The Philippine Government increasingly invests in gender responsive policies, plans, programs and systems.
The Philippine Government improves data, systems and targeting to enable people with disability and Indigenous Peoples improved access to targeted service.

SUMMARY OF POSITION
The MEL Quality, Reporting and Capacity Building Adviser will provide a defined package of specialist technical and methodological advice, analytical support, quality assurance, reporting support and capacity building inputs to strengthen SPRING's MEL function MEL team as the program progresses from purely national implementation to subnational delivery and grants throughout FY2026-27. The assignment will focus on providing technical and quality assurance support for the six-monthly report due in February 2027, contribution narratives, case studies, political economy and learning products, and practical updates to the SPRING MEL Framework required to reflect evolving subnational and grants activities. Working under the leadership of the national MEL team, the Adviser will provide specialist advice to strengthen the quality, coherence and usefulness of evidence, while mentoring the MEL Lead and MEL Officer to lead future synthesis, reporting, framework maintenance and quality assurance processes. This is a time-bound advisory so responsibility for this work can be fully carried forward by the MEL team after the assignment ends. This is not intended to provide supplemental MEL staffing capacity or to establish an ongoing draw-down or rolling advisory role.

The Adviser's role is to provide specialist technical advice, analytical challenge and independent quality assurance while strengthening the MEL Team's capacity in selected areas. Advisory inputs should be delivered through collaborative review, coaching and knowledge transfer, with direct drafting limited to agreed products where specialist input is required. The Adviser's inputs will complement the SPRING MEL Team's ongoing responsibility for the MEL Framework, evidence synthesis, reporting and routine MEL processes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Six-monthly reporting and evidence synthesis (8 days)

Support the MEL Lead and MEL Officer to plan, structure, draft and finalise agreed inputs to the SPRING six-monthly report due in February 2027, synthesising evidence from July-December 2026.
Support the MEL Team to strengthen contribution narratives explaining SPRING's progress and contribution to policy, systems and practice change across social protection, gender equality, disability, social inclusion and Indigenous inclusion.
Review and provide analytical input on the MEL Team's synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence, outcome stories, implementation learning and partner perspectives, with a focus on strengthening the quality and clarity of results reporting. Provide quality assurance to ensure reporting is analytically sound and aligned with SPRING's theory of change, End of Program Outcomes, MEL Framework and DFAT requirements.
Provide practical feedback and coaching to further strengthen the MEL Team's analytical and reporting capacity.

2. Case studies, learning products and contribution narratives (8 days)

Support the SPRING MEL Team to develop selected significant policy and systems change case studies for priority workstreams, including anticipated 4Ps Risk Analysis and UPLIFT examples.
Provide technical and analytical support in the preparation of selected learning briefs and case studies that capture key changes, contribution pathways, implementation lessons and implications for adaptive management.
Review and advise on the strength and sufficiency of evidence identified by the MEL Team and technical leads on progress, contribution, adaptation and learning for use in routine reporting, management decisions and future evaluation.
Review and strengthen selected products for senior program, DFAT and partner audiences using clear structure, accessible language and strong analytical framing.

3. Political economy evidence and strategic learning inputs (4 days)

Support the refinement of agreed political economy analysis products that strengthen SPRING's evidence base.
Support translation of political economy findings into practical implications for reporting, adaptive management, reform pathway development and evidence-based innovation planning.
Integrate relevant political economy insights into agreed reporting and learning products.

4. MEL Framework review and updating (10 days)

Provide technical advice and quality assurance to support SPRING's review of the MEL Framework and MEL Plan against the current SPRING Theory of Change, implementation context and DFAT reporting requirements.
Review and quality-assure proposed updates prepared by the SPRING MEL Team to the MEL Framework, indicator reference information and related tools, maintaining a clear change record and consistency across national, subnational and grants MEL arrangements.
Provide technical advice during SPRING-led validation of proposed updates with the program leadership and relevant technical leads
Provide practical guidance and coaching on technical or methodological issues identified through the review, strengthening the capacity of the MEL Lead and MEL Officer to maintain, apply and periodically update the framework

5. Cross-cutting quality assurance, coaching and handover (5 days)

Provide targeted quality assurance across agreed MEL, reporting and learning products, with clear, actionable feedback to the MEL Lead and MEL Officer.
Review and provide practical recommendations on templates, checklists and guidance that improve consistency, evidence standards and reporting coherence.
Deliver structured coaching and a final handover note documenting completed work, outstanding actions, decisions and recommended next steps for team-led follow-through.

INDICATIVE DELIVERABLES AND LEVEL OF EFFORT
The assignment will be managed against agreed deliverables rather than as a general draw-down advisory bucket. Listed below are the Deliverable aligned to Key Responsibility, required output and completion standard, Indicative timing, and indicative LoE*.

1. Six-monthly reporting and evidence synthesis package

Required output: Agreed inputs to the February 2027 six-monthly report covering July-December 2026; contribution narratives; synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence; and a documented quality-assurance review.
Indicative timing: Planning and drafting from Q4 2026; final inputs by February 2027
8 days

2. Case studies, learning products and contribution narratives

Required output: Agreed priority case studies, including anticipated 4Ps Risk Analysis and UPLIFT examples, and concise learning or contribution products.
Indicative timing: Q4 2026-Q2 2027, sequenced to evidence availability
8 days

3. Political economy evidence and strategic learning inputs

Required output: Agreed PEA drafting or refinement and a concise note translating relevant findings into practical implications for reporting, adaptive management, reform pathways and evidence-based innovation.
Indicative timing: As agreed during FY2026-27 planning and reporting cycles
4 days

4. MEL Framework review and updating

Required output: A documented review and change record; agreed updates required during the assignment to the MEL Framework, indicator reference information and related tools; and a validated final version reflecting confirmed national, subnational and grants arrangements.
Indicative timing: Initial review in Q4 2026; updates made and validated as implementation arrangements are confirmed, by Q2 2027
10 days

5. Cross-cutting quality assurance, coaching and handover

Required output: Targeted reviews of agreed MEL, reporting and learning products; practical templates, checklists or guidance; structured coaching for the MEL Lead and MEL Officer; and a final handover note recording completed work, key decisions, outstanding actions and recommended next steps.
Indicative timing: Throughout the assignment; final handover by June 2027
5 days

Total approved STA input: October 2026 - June 2027, 35 days

*The indicative level of effort can be confirmed during contracting and may be adjusted throughout the assignment by agreement, provided the total approved STA days are not exceeded.

QUALIFICATIONS AND Requirements
Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications in monitoring and evaluation, social sciences, public policy, international development, research, statistics, evaluation or another relevant discipline. Postgraduate qualifications are desirable.

Minimum Experience

At least 10-12 years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, learning, reporting, evaluation or applied research, preferably in DFAT-funded programs or comparable international development programs.

Key Abilities and Skills

Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality analytical reports, case studies, learning products and donor-facing written deliverables for complex development programs.
Strong qualitative analysis, political economy analysis and evidence synthesis skills, including the ability to draw out contribution, learning and adaptive management implications.
Demonstrated understanding of MEL systems for adaptive, policy-oriented and GEDSI-focused programs, including experience working with program theories of change, results frameworks and mixed-methods evidence.
Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of GEDSI principles, with knowledge or experience in promoting gender equality, disability, and social inclusion especially within adaptive programs like SPRING. This includes a clear understanding of and practical experience in safeguarding, particularly in the context of child protection (CP) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH), with the ability to integrate safeguarding measures into program implementation.
Compliance to DFAT policies on fraud control, financing terrorism, child protection and other social safeguards

APPLICATION PROCESS
This is a rolling recruitment process. Applications will be reviewed and vetted sequentially as they are received. We encourage interested individuals to apply as early as possible.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as follows: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
Please send your cover letter addressing the position selection criteria and CV with name and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees to hr@springphilippines.org, mentioning the position you are applying for in the subject line "MEL Quality, Reporting and Capacity Building Adviser" or apply online.

Women, persons with a disability and Indigenous Peoples are highly encouraged to apply.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. Persons with disabilities may send a request for reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process to hr@springphilippines.org.

Cowater International adheres to the highest standards of protection of children and vulnerable adults in the delivery of programs and services. Cowater is committed to the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.

Cowater International upholds standards of ethical conduct and has zero tolerance against fraud and bribery.

Prior to any offer of employment, applicants will be subject to appropriate background checks.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About Us
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.

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