Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer - APA-Obs

Background

The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) is an independent civil society organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with offices in Austria, South Africa, Colombia and Malta, and a globally dispersed Secretariat working in around 40 countries.

GI-TOC comprises a network of more than 708 independent global and regional experts working on human rights, democracy, governance, and development issues where organized crime has become increasingly pertinent. GI-TOC provides a platform to promote greater debate and innovative approaches as the building blocks to an inclusive global strategy against organized crime. GI-TOC commissions and shares research globally; curates a robust resource library of 2,000 reports and tools specific to organized crime; and uses its convening power to unite both the private and public sectors against organized crime.

The Observatory of Illicit Economies in Asia-Pacific (APA – Obs) was launched in Bangkok in 2020 and has a strong focus on the Mekong subregion that includes Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The APA-Obs is a platform that monitors organized crime trends across the Asia-Pacific region and that aims to connect and empower civil society actors who are working on issues related to organized crime and corruption.

APA-Obs seeks to identify, analyse and map criminal trends and their impact on illicit flows, governance, development, inter-ethnic relations, security and the rule of law.  APA-Obs supports local stakeholders and actors in their monitoring of national dynamics and wider regional and international organized crime trends.  It also promotes information sharing and cooperation across stakeholders and countries and works to bring South East Asian perspectives to the multilateral level.

APA-Obs is based in Bangkok, Thailand. It coordinates a network of civil society experts which are based across the Mekong, in ASEAN and beyond.

Job Summary

APA-Obs is currently implementing the Mekong Network to Counter Transnational Crime (MNET-CTC) program. This program is funded by Australian Government through the Mekong-Australia Partnership.

APA-Obs is looking to recruit for the role of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Officer based in the Mekong region under the supervision of the Head of the Mekong Network to Counter Transnational Crime (MNET-CTC) programme. 

Main Responsibilities and Specific Tasks

MEL Design and Planning

 

• Drive the development of the monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system for the MNET-CTC programme, including setting baseline indicators, designing frameworks, tools, and methodologies to effectively monitor progress and evaluate the outcomes of the programme.
• Ensure gender equality, social inclusion and disability is integrated into the MEL framework and reporting and provide technical advice to the GEDSI officer to develop, update and monitor a results-based gender action plan. 

MEL Implementation, Reporting and Communication

 

• Lead the implementation of MEL systems and tracking of performance indicators, ensuring programme activities and interventions are impactful and sustainable.
  
• Ensure effective data collection (including baseline data) through various methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups and field visits as well as lead the process of data collation, aggregation and analysis.
• Implement data quality processes to guarantee compliance with MEL standards, protocols, and best practices throughout all monitoring processes.
• Prepare regular programme performance reports, capturing progress against objectives, key findings, and actionable recommendations aligned with donor standards and policies.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned, success stories and best practices to inform decision-making and drive continuous learning.
• Understand and apply DFAT’s MEL framework, best practises and approaches, whilst engaging actively in the relevant Community of Practise.
• Work closely with DFAT’s MEL team to demonstrate progress towards end of program objectives and support DFAT’s internal performance reporting processes, as required.
  
• Collaborate with the Project Management and Communications teams to support data-driven reporting, including visual content for social media and communication materials.

Capacity Building

 

• Provide MEL training and technical support to project teams, partners, and the APA-Obs network to strengthen capacity in monitoring and evaluation tools, methods, and practices.

Strategy and Risk Management

• Use MEL findings to identify areas for improvement and support the refinement and adaptation of project strategies and interventions.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project-related risks to ensure effective implementation.
• Ensure safeguarding measures are implemented and aligned with DFAT and GI-TOC standards to prevent exploitation, abuse, and harassment across all MNET-CTC activities.
• Support additional APA-Obs initiatives as required.

Requisite Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following experience and skills (E-Essential, D-Desirable) :

• Relevant university degree (e.g. Project Management/development/political science/statistics) (D);
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning (E);
• High level of competence in data collection, analysis, and reporting using a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methods (E);
• Proven Capacity in writing progress and performance reports for development projects (E);
• Experience in leading MEL processes of projects funded by DFAT (D);
• Previous experience and interest in organized crime, politics and civil society in the Mekong and providing MEL services in the region (D);
• Language proficiency: fluent in English (reading, writing and speaking) (E);
  
• Knowledge or proficiency of a regional Mekong language is preferred (D);
  
• IT skills to work independently (E);
• Attention to rigor, detail and quality control (E);
• Proven ability to work independently and with competing workloads, whilst contributing to team objectives (E)
  
• Excellent communicator and strong presentation skills (E);
• Strong organizational skills with a problem-solving attitude (E);
• Proactive and ability to think ahead (E);
• Motivated and enthusiastic to work in a fast-paced environment (E);
  

Contract duration

Two years with a six-month probation period and the possibility of extension. 

 

The MEL Officer will be based in the Mekong. He/she will coordinate his/her work with the Bangkok office through the Head of the Mekong Network to Counter Transnational Crime (MNET-CTC) and at the same time work as a member of the broader GI-TOC APA team.

 

As a core member of the GI-TOC team, he/she will endeavour to bring his/her experience, expertise and networks to bear in the best interests of GI-TOC. He/she will actively engage in organisation wide initiatives and work proactively to foster teamwork, collaboration, coordination and learning across the organisation. He/she will do his/her best to promote a positive image of the GI-TOC and its work in internal and external forums.

GI-TOC operates a flexible working environment and encourages staff to achieve a suitable work life balance and supports professional development and learning. 

The GI-TOC makes use of BambooHR's ATS system to receive and review your application.  All correspondence related to your application will be sent via our domain globalinitiative.bamboohr.com.