About IRRI

Job Purpose

The Transformative Policies and Investments (TPI) Unit is further strengthening its structure to bolster even more its capacity to lead and manage the MEL of the IRRI’s entire research portfolio. The MEL Manager is responsible for leading and managing the setting-up and oversight of a sub-unit within the TPI Unit, as part of continuing efforts to mainstream the Impact Oriented Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (IOMEL) approach and to adapt its MEL systems to the new OneCGIAR performance and results management systems, donor and national partners. As the lead expert on IOMEL, the MEL Manager is expected to represent the Unit with stakeholders in and outside the institution to (i) develop awareness and capacity for IOMEL, (ii) contribute in resource mobilization and networking, (iii) communicate evidence and learning, and (iv) ensure that TPI has the capacity to plan and implement latest and innovative IOMEL frameworks, standards, methods and tools, and to use their results for adaptive research management.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and may only be filled by permanent citizens of the Philippines.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Promote a culture for generating evidence, creating impactful results and evaluability within IRRI and among its national partners
• Develop and organize MEL staffing structure under the Transformative Policies and Investments Unit such as by identifying staff items, helping define roles, responsibilities/accountabilities, authority and communication lines, helping identify funding sources, and assisting in recruitment
• Update and further improve the IOMEL frameworks and systems and continue mainstreaming them into all research units
• Lead and manage MEL staff to enhance their capacity to provide sufficient, timely and effective MEL support to IRRI’s entire research portfolio including OneCGIAR Initiatives and bilateral projects
• Determine IOMEL-related capacity development needs of IRRI and national partner staff and provide assistance accordingly, including training, coaching and mentoring
• Contribute in improving evaluability and impact effectiveness of research proposals for funding
• Coordinate, supervise and oversee the MEL sub-unit’s engagements within IRRI and among OneCGIAR centres’ project leaders, scientists and MEL staff related to designing, implementing and assessing MEL work
• Oversee all MEL activities including evaluation studies
• Supervise MEL staff and provide coaching and mentoring as needed
• Participate and represent the MEL sub-unit in strategic meetings related to advancing the MEL sub-unit goal within and outside IRRI
• Engage with international and national partners and donors to represent IRRI in networking, resource mobilization, field missions, research presentations, and international and local academic conferences
• Demand-led policy research leading to evidence-based policy advice
• Country and local contexts sufficiently considered in program impact pathways
• Appropriate and innovative methods are used in MEL-related studies
• MEL staff are sufficiently trained and equipped to take on activities of the MEL sub-unit and achieve its goal
• Timely and transparent access to consolidated/synthesis of evidence to all stakeholders for enabling accountability and learning

Qualifications

• Master of Science degree in Agriculture, Environment and Development Management or related fields
• At least 8 years of combined experience in monitoring and evaluation of research-for-development and development programs in the agriculture, environment and natural resources

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Proven technical proficiency in IOMEL and impact assessment and their application in research portfolio and project level
• In-depth knowledge and proven competence in the applications of theory-based, experimental and quasi-experimental approaches for outcome and impact evaluation
• Extensive experience in performing IOMEL in agriculture for research and development for various innovations such as but not limited to crop improvement, agronomic practices, policy influencing, food systems transformation and climate adaptation and mitigation
• Extensive experience in program development and proposal writing, particularly for the MEL component
• Has experience using STATA, SPSS or R for quantitative impact evaluation

Preferred

• Extensive experience working with OneCGIAR programs, MEL systems of OneCGIAR and its major donors like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.