Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager- Katalis Phase 2

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager – Katalis Phase 2 Palladium is in the business of making the world a better place, and we believe that collaborative models and systemic approaches are the way to achieve progress and success. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90-plus countries, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people’s lives. Palladium is part of the GISI Consulting Group, a company that unites some of the world’s top project management and engineering consulting firms to innovate and accelerate solutions on a global scale. Katalis Phase II (2026-2031) is a partnership between the governments of Australia and Indonesia, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and implemented in collaboration with the Government of Indonesia. The program strengthens bilateral economic engagement under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IACEPA) through two mutually reinforcing pillars: Pillar 1: IACEPA institutional architecture & policy reform (secretariat and implementation support). Pillar 2: Skills, Businesses & Inclusive Growth, including the Katalis Business Partnership Fund (KBPF) to test, scale, and commercialise inclusive, climate‑smart business models with Indonesian SMEs and Australian partners. Purpose of Position The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager plays a crucial role in leading the design, implementation and ongoing refinement of the Katalis MEL system in alignment with IA‑CEPA objectives, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) requirements and Palladium standards. This position is responsible for ensuring the generation and utilisation of high‑quality and inclusive evidence that supports adaptive management, accountability and learning across programme investments. The MEL Manager oversees monitoring and evaluation at programme, activity and strategic levels, which includes performance tracking, safeguarding, risk monitoring and adherence to DFAT reporting standards. By adhering to utilisation‑focused and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles, this role integrates MEL as an essential management function, thereby enhancing decision‑making and maximising Katalis’ impact on inclusive trade, investment and skills development outcomes. Primary Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership for the design, operationalisation and continuous improvement of the Katalis MEL system, aligned with the Programme Theory of Change, results framework and DFAT standards. Ensure the MEL system effectively monitors and reports results across both pillars, including policy and institutional reform (Pillar 1) and private sector performance, investment mobilisation, inclusion and scalability (Pillar 2). Establish and maintain integrated MEL tools that clearly link outputs, intermediate outcomes and end‑of‑programme outcomes using proportionate qualitative and quantitative methods. Lead rigorous measurement of outcomes and systemic change, including policy influence, institutional performance, business investment, innovation, inclusion and market‑level outcomes. Develop, manage and refine key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring appropriate disaggregation by gender, disability, geography and sector, supported by robust data quality assurance processes. Provide hands‑on technical MEL leadership to programme teams, supporting the development of results chains, indicators, monitoring plans and the analysis and use of performance data for decision‑making. Design and manage strategic evaluations and learning activities, including outcome harvesting, contribution analysis, thematic studies and DFAT‑mandated Mid‑Term and End‑of‑Programme Evaluations. Develop, manage and lead a functional MEL team and improve their capacities to deliver high‑quality impact assessments, analysis and reporting. Embed structured learning and adaptive management processes, including regular performance reviews, reflection sessions and learning loops across policy reform and business innovation activities. Translate MEL findings into clear, decision‑relevant knowledge products and communicate insights effectively to DFAT, Government of Indonesia counterparts and programme partners. Integrate MEL with programme risk management, safeguarding and GEDSI frameworks, promote ethical and inclusive measurement practice and strengthen MEL capability across staff, partners and counterparts. Ensure compliance with DFAT and Palladium policies and standards, including GEDSI, PSEAH, child protection, environmental and social safeguards, fraud and anticorruption measures and ethical standards. Develop, maintain and annually update the MEL Framework, MEL Plan and MEL Manual to ensure ongoing relevance, comparability and DFAT compliance. Commission and manage an independent quality review of the MEL Framework and MEL Plan prior to DFAT approval and incorporate recommendations. Develop and maintain an annual MEL workplan/learning agenda (products, schedule, responsibilities) and an evidence utilisation approach linked to governance and annual planning decisions. Lead periodic monitoring and synthesis of contextual changes (policy, market, political economy) and integrate implications into adaptive management and work planning. Establish verification protocols for partner and grantee‑reported results (including KBPF), including spot checks and data validation to support credible reporting. Ensure MEL requirements are embedded in the Activity Planning Framework and activity governance (concept notes, activity proposals, partner agreements), including clear outcome measures, evaluability and learning questions. Define MEL data governance requirements for the MIS (data standards, metadata, security/access, backup/recovery, breach response and DFAT archival/transfer readiness) and oversee implementation with the MIS/IT function. Provide MEL evidence and data products to support DFAT’s IMR, PERFORMS and Tier 2 reporting requirements, including validated datasets and narrative analysis. Ensure MEL products meet DFAT accessibility requirements and are suitable for external sharing where appropriate. Undertake other reasonable tasks as requested by the Development Effectiveness Lead, Katalis programme management, DFAT and/or government counterparts. Key Deliverables A fully operational MEL Framework for Katalis Phase 2, including the Theory of Change, results framework, indicators, baselines, targets and data sources, aligned with IACEPA objectives and DFAT requirements. Programme‑wide MEL systems and tools established and maintained to support performance monitoring, learning and reporting, including intervention‑level MEL plans, KPI tracking, dashboards and partner reporting templates. High‑quality, verified performance data and analysis, including appropriate disaggregation (gender, disability, geography and other relevant variables), supported by robust data quality assurance processes consistent with DFAT and Palladium standards. Design and delivery of strategic evaluations and learning activities, including outcome harvesting, thematic studies and DFAT‑mandated Mid‑Term and End‑of‑Programme Evaluation. Regular, decision‑relevant performance and learning insights provided to programme leadership and DFAT, informing adaptive management, risk mitigation and strategic decision‑making. Integrated risk, safeguards and GEDSI monitoring operational across all programme pillars, with demonstrated MEL capacity‑strengthening among programme staff, subcontractors and delivery partners and ongoing assurance of compliance with DFAT and Palladium policies and standards. Reporting Requirements Regular participation in programme management meetings, technical discussions, learning forums and other meetings as required by programme leadership and DFAT. Routine performance updates (weekly or as required) on MEL implementation, emerging findings, risks and learning priorities. Monthly and quarterly inputs to programme progress reports, workplans and internal management reporting, ensuring accuracy, clarity and timely submission. Contribution to DFAT reporting, including six‑monthly, annual, mid‑term and end‑of‑programme reports and ad‑hoc briefing materials as required. Timely documentation and reporting of evaluation findings, learning outcomes and adaptive management actions. Clear and consistent reporting on GEDSI, safeguarding and risk management performance through MEL systems and formal reports. Palladium encourages flexible work practices to enhance well‑being, productivity and team culture. For this role, employees must maintain an in‑office presence for the majority of their working week; for example, if an employee works five days a week, they must spend at least three days physically in the office. Required Qualifications Postgraduate qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies or a related discipline. Minimum of 10 years progressively responsible experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning for large, complex donor‑funded development programmes, preferably DFAT‑funded or DFAT‑aligned programmes. Demonstrated experience leading the design and implementation of programme‑wide MEL systems, including theories of change, results frameworks, indicators, baselines, targets and data quality assurance processes. Proven expertise in utilisation‑focused and adaptive MEL approaches, including outcome harvesting, contribution analysis and learning‑driven programme adaptation. Substantial experience measuring policy reform, institutional performance, private‑sector engagement and market‑level or systemic change outcomes. Demonstrated experience leading or managing strategic evaluations, including Mid‑Term Reviews and End‑of‑Programme Evaluations. Strong analytical skills, with ability to generate and synthesise high‑quality quantitative and qualitative evidence and translate findings into clear, decision‑relevant insights for senior stakeholders. Proven experience integrating MEL with risk management, safeguarding (including PSEAH and child protection) and GEDSI frameworks, consistent with DFAT standards. Demonstrated capability to lead, mentor and build MEL capacity among multidisciplinary teams, partners and counterparts. Experience working with or within the Government of Indonesia institutions or in Indonesia‑based programmes. Familiarity with DFAT performance and reporting requirements, including six‑monthly, annual and evaluation reporting. Experience using digital MEL systems, dashboards or data‑visualisation tools to support adaptive management and reporting. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Bahasa Indonesia. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Experience: 10 years required