Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, Learning & Adapting (MERLA) Advisor | BP-APSP

- Commencement: November 2026
- Duration: From November 2026 to February 2030
- Location: Based in Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, PNG
- Open to PNG nationals and international candidates

About the Program

For Australia and New Zealand, the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement is an explicit commitment in the Australia government 2017 White Paper. An overriding interest is to maintain the peace that the Agreement brought about and enabled by political dialogue, within and outside Bougainville, and economic development. The Bougainville Partnership is the primary Australia and New Zealand-funded program supporting these strategic objectives.

The first phase of the Bougainville Partnership (2016-2022) had 3 overall outcomes under the headings of: Autonomy and Effective Governance (Pillar 1); Agriculture and Economic Development (Pillar 2) and; Peace, Stability and Community Cohesion (Pillar 3). During the second phase (2022-2026), the ‘3 pillar’ reference was retained and known under the headings of: Capable Institutions (Pillar 1); Economic Development (Pillar 2) and Stronger Communities (Pillar 3).

In the current phase (2026 – 2030), there are four (4) end-of-program outcomes (EOPOs), which correspond to four pillars:

- Governance and Institutions: The ABG is a more effective and capable autonomous government.
- Economic Development: More inclusive and sustainable growth in the Bougainville economy.
- Stronger Communities: Strengthened inter-community cohesion and resilience.
- Infrastructure: High-quality infrastructure is built and maintained.

The programming approach is based on the updated Bougainville Partnership Logical Framework (as developed and agreed with ABG, DFAT, and MFAT in 2026) and Abt Global’s considerable prior work and lessons learned in the Bougainville context. Furthermore, the Investment Design Document (IDD) and the BP have drawn on an extensive set of background data in developing its strategy including commissioned studies, past program reviews, learnings of the BP 2016-2026, case studies, market data, adviser reports and ABG policy documents.

In the latest phase Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Climate Change have been repositioned as cross cutting outcomes. In line with updated DFAT policy guidance and MFAT’s ongoing approach, GEDSI and climate change are repositioned from standalone EOPOs to cross cutting Intermediate Outcomes. This reflects a shift from aspirational, high-level statements towards outcomes that are more programmatically achievable, measurable and within the Partnership’s sphere of influence.

The BP is part of the Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP) , which is an enabling mechanism comprised of three separately designed programs including: BP, the Western Province Partnership (WPP), the Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP), and the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan (SGIP). Each program has its own outcomes, theory of change, operational approach and separate monitoring and evaluation systems.

Position Overview

The MERLA Advisor will:

- Report to the Director, Bougainville, on the Partnership’s strategic priorities, expenditure and provide a range of essential, high-quality, and timely MERLA and Communications technical services that meet the Partnership’s performance, learning and communications requirements.
- Report to the APSP Performance & Learning (PL) Lead on all MERLA technical deliverables, to promote appropriate use of common, good practice and integrated systems across APSP.
- Work in partnership with the APSP Communications Manager on all strategic communications and public diplomacy products.

Throughout, the Advisor will demonstrate a visible and systematic commitment to achieving gender equality and for achieving against agreed gender equality performance objectives.

Key Responsibilities

The Bougainville MERLA Advisor will provide technical guidance to the Bougainville Partnership to establish/design, implement, support, and adapt monitoring and communications frameworks, systems, plans, tools, and processes.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, Learning & Adapting

- In coordination with the Director and the PL Lead, and in detailed consultation with the key stakeholders, implement the Bougainville Partnership’s MERLA Framework, and all supporting MERLA arrangements that will meet the Partnership’s accountability and learning needs.
- Support the implementation of the MIS (DevResults) carry out quality assurance and manage the BP DevResults dashboard.
- Provide high quality and timely technical services for all aspects of MERLA activities in a way that balances accountability, rigour, ongoing improvement/adaptive management, and program flexibility.
- Liaise with the PL Lead regarding use of appropriate existing APSP MERLA tools or the development of new program-specific MERLA tools. These tools will include, but not be limited to, regular MERLA plans that integrate with Partnership management plans, monitoring tools, report formats, survey designs, value for money reporting, databases, and other IT record management systems to be maintained etc.
- Finalise baseline assessments/surveys of beneficiaries’ socio-economic situation, organisational capacities, GEDSI analysis etc. Periodically update this data and possibly conduct beneficiary survey/focus groups to provide objective evidence of progress and constraints.
- Establish and maintain data management processes, ensuring compatibility with relevant APSP-wide MERLA systems.
- Develop and lead MERLA capacity-building for BP team members across the partnership and ABG counterparts (upon request)
- Collaborate with the PL Lead to ensure all Bougainville performance reports and data are provided on time, at a high quality and in accordance with DFAT and MFAT requirements.
- Develop a collaborative rapport with other research stakeholders to ensure long-term evidence and research feeds into policy development and management.
- Consistent with the Partnership’s governance arrangements, and in liaison with the Director, promote adaptive management by organising an annual review and reflection exercise involving key stakeholders, as an adjunct to the annual reporting obligations, to demonstrate both transparency and accountability to the key stakeholders. Subsequently, review and revise the MERLA Framework and Theory of Change, as necessary. Ensure this is linked to APSP-level systems and requirements.
- Develop and supervise a program of ongoing analytical exercises and reviews aimed at both better understanding development constraints and assessing performance. Ensure this is linked to APSP-level systems and requirements, in case such analysis should be APSP-wide.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with the Bougainville team, including its international and local advisers, and other APSP MERLA and communications colleagues, and stakeholders.
- Ensure clear communication of evidenced-based performance narratives at all levels
- Actively participate in the APSP MERLA CoP to establish and share ‘fit-for-purpose’ good practice.
- Lead 6 monthly validation and reflection exercises with key stakeholders
- Actively participate in Facility learning events and lead BP learning events
- Participate in MERLA field work and regularly (minimum quarterly) travel to BP office in Arawa to work directly with BP colleagues and MERLA Team members.
- Assume MERLA surge support responsibilities.

Communications

- Management oversight, delivery and quality assurance to the Bougainville Partnerships Communications Strategy including a range of communications products including production of public diplomacy content (medial releases, speeches etc), program factsheets, social media content, audio-visual content and other communications platforms as required.
- Ensure the BP Communications Unit is delivering against the BP Communications Pipeline and Placemat.
- Capacity-building of BP Communications Unit
- Assume Communications surge support responsibilities.

Management

- Actively lead, manage and mentor MERLA and communications officers (4 to 5 staff) based in the Bougainville Partnership’s Buka and Arawa offices, and as required manage and mentor teams of other staff from time to time engaged in MERLA activities.
- Ensure strategic coherence and timely iteration of Bougainville MERLA and communications implementation plans.
- Support partner compliance with DFAT and MFAT policies on environmental and social safeguarding.
- Ensure personal compliance with all DFAT and MFAT and Abt Policies.
- Implement any other reasonable instructions from management.

Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion

- Collaborate with the ABG Department of Community Development, APSP’s GEDSI Lead and the BP’s GEDSI Manager and GESDI Coordinator to ensure the integration of BP’s GEDSI Strategy into workplan and activities
- Demonstrate leadership support for the implementation of key diversity and inclusion policies

Key Deliverables

- Update BP MERLA Framework (as needed)
- BP MERLA Implementation Plan and regular update process
- BP Baseline Assessment and two-yearly updates (including final survey before Completion Report)
- BP Six Monthly Written Progress Reports (within two-months of end of reporting period)
- Capacity-building of BP Staff and ABG counterparts (upon request) in MERLA
- Capacity-building of BP Communications Unit
- BP Six-monthly reflection and validation exercise
- BP Six-monthly data to DFAT and MFAT
- Other analytical assessments and significant ‘activity’ reviews
- BP Completion Report
- The BP MIS (DevResults) is established, and the dashboard is providing timely information to DFAT and MFAT in line with expectations
- BP Communications Unit is delivering communication products in line with DFAT and MFAT expectations

Key working relationships

Bougainville Partnership

- Director, BP
- Team Leader, Governance & Institutions (Pillar 1)
- Team Leader, Economic Development (Pillar 2)
- Team Leader, Stronger Communities (Pillar 3)
- Infrastructure & Facilities Lead (Pillar 4)
- MERLA Coordinators and Officers
- Communications Manager and Officer
- GEDSI Manager and GESDI Coordinator
- Long- and short-term Advisers to: DoTF, BTO, DPMAS, DJLS, DPI, DCTI

APSP

- Performance & Learning Lead
- Communications Manager
- APSP MERLA Community of Practice

Primary External Relationships:

- Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) counterparts, primarily the ABG Strategic Planning and Policy Coordination Directorate
- Australian High Commission
- New Zealand High Commission
- Other Australia and New Zealand development programs

About You

Qualifications

- Tertiary qualifications in monitoring and evaluation, international development, public or business administration, communications, or another relevant social science discipline; a master’s degree is preferred.

Knowledge

- Demonstrated knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, reporting, learning and adaptive management principles, frameworks and good practice in international development programs.
- Demonstrated knowledge of performance measurement, baseline assessment, research and evaluation methods, data quality assurance and management information systems.
- Understanding of the political, institutional and development context of Papua New Guinea or the Pacific, including subnational governance; familiarity with Bougainville’s autonomy arrangements is desirable.
- Understanding of Australian and New Zealand Government performance, reporting and public diplomacy requirements for development programs.
- Knowledge of gender equality, disability and social inclusion, climate change, and environmental and social safeguarding as cross-cutting considerations in monitoring, learning and communications.

Skills/Experience

- At least 5 years’ relevant experience designing and implementing monitoring, evaluation, reporting, learning and adaptive management systems for complex development programs, with 2 years’ experience in international development settings
- Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, mentor and build the capability of multidisciplinary MERLA and communications teams across multiple locations.
- Strong analytical and written communication skills, with demonstrated experience producing high-quality performance reports, evidence-based narratives and professional products for government, donor and executive audiences.
- Demonstrated experience facilitating participatory reviews, reflection and learning processes and translating findings into practical program adaptations.
- Excellent interpersonal, stakeholder engagement and cross-cultural communication skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts, donors, advisers, researchers and program teams in a complex operating environment.

Personal Attributes

- Delivers Results
- Builds Internal and External Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty.
- Develops People
- Communicates
- Sets Vision and Direction
- Demonstrates Sound Financial and Business-Related Practices
- Builds Teams and Cooperation
- Promotes Technical Excellence and Quality
- Promotes Diversity Acts as a Role Model

Key Selection Criteria

For your application to be considered by the panel, interested applicants must submit a response to each of the following Key Selection Criteria: [ If no response to the above Key Selection Criteria is made, applications will not be considered further].

Key Selection Criteria

KSC 1 Demonstrated experience (minimum of 5-years’) preferably with minimum of 2-years international experience

KSC 2. Demonstrated experience in the application of performance assessment or monitoring and evaluation frameworks and review/evaluation design.

KSC 3. Experience in identifying and delivering innovative approaches to MERLA for flexible and adaptive aid programs.

KSC 4. Demonstrated ability to operate with innovation, adaptability, flexibility, and resilience to accommodate change in a complex, uncertain, high-energy environment – such as PNG or a comparable experience.

How to Apply

- Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.
- Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted.
- The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

We welcome and thank all applications; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted .

Closing Date: Sunday 4 October 2026, 12PM (Mid-day, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT