Position : Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Advisor

Reports to: Director of MERL and GEDSI

Location: Phnom Penh, with some travel to provinces. 

Duration: One year, with possibility for extension for high performers 

Employment type: Part-time, output-based 

Contractual arrangement: Open to applicants with the right to work in Cambodia. International applicants may apply; however, visa arrangements, relocation support, and any accompanying benefits will not be provided. 

Program Background

The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience over the next four years, with a possible three-year extension. 

The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment, which promotes a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy (RISE). 

CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components including: Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and one Cross-Cutting component comprising: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support. GEDSI is at the heart of all that CAPRED does.

MERL plays a central role in guiding adaptive management, tracking progress, generating evidence, and embedding learning into all technical and cross-cutting areas. 

Position Summary

The MERL Advisor will provide high-level technical and hands-on support to implement CAPRED’s MERL system and deliver quality outputs across monitoring, research, learning, and reporting. This is a delivery-focused advisory role, with direct responsibility for producing, reviewing, and quality-assuring outputs according to clear weekly or bi-weekly deliverables. 

The role requires a mid-to-senior level professional who can manage high-intensity workloads during peak reporting and research periods while providing practical coaching and hands-on technical support to other team members. The successful candidate will be expected to work independently, exercise professional judgment, and deliver outputs of superb quality with minimal guidance.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Technical:

• Update and revise Intervention Guides (IGs), including developing new ones, where applicable.
  • Review and update existing IGs to reflect current intervention design and delivery.
  • Lead development of new IGs. 
  • Provide quality assurance on IGs drafted by other team members.
• Conduct fieldwork and lead on data collection, entry, analysis, and quality assurance.
  • Lead research plan and questionnaire development, ensuring proper and ethical research practices. 
  • Oversee quality control of baseline, midline, and endline surveys. 
  • Support training and supervision of enumerators; lead team capacity building on data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolBox, Excel template).
  • Perform or oversee data cleaning and initial analysis to generate key findings to contribute to program learning and reporting.
• Support contracting and management of research and MERL assignments.
  • Draft and review scopes of work and deliverables for MERL consultants, with responsibility for tracking timelines, budgets, and documentation for these assignments.
• Facilitate learning and knowledge-sharing. 
  • Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning workshops to strengthen team capacity and promote best practices within the team.

Compliance: 

• Ensure all MERL activities align with DFAT and Cowater policies and procedures, including ethics, safeguarding, data privacy, and value for money. 
• Champion integration of GEDSI and climate resilience in MERL practices. 
• Maintain accurate information and audit trails for data quality assurance and compliance. 

Stakeholder relationships: 

• Respond to information requests and support knowledge dissemination to internal and external stakeholders. 

SELECTION CRITERIA – ESSENTIAL 

This role is designed for a senior-level MERL professional with extensive experience in research, monitoring, evaluation, and learning in development programs. This role is not suitable for junior-level or purely advisory candidates. Only those meeting the essential criteria and able to manage a high-intensity workload should apply.

• A degree in social sciences, development studies, public policy, statistics, or a related field.
• Minimum ten years of experience in research and/or MERL. 
• Strong experience in both qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation. 
• Demonstrated experienced with DFAT and other donor-funded MERL frameworks. 
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to synthesise monitoring findings into clear, actionable insights. 
• Experience embedding GEDSI and climate resilience in MERL systems. 
• Willingness to frequently travel (appx. 40%) to project sites for field monitoring and support.

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application process will close once the position is filled. Interested candidates should apply at their soonest opportunity as the position is open to be filled now.

HOW TO APPLY: Please send your CV and cover letter with name and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees to recruitment@capred.org mentioning the position you apply for in the subject line “MERL Advisor”. 

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to the professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicants based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.  CAPRED aims to have a diverse workforce at all levels, and a workplace that is supportive of gender equality, disability and social inclusion. Women, people with disabilities and other minorities are highly encouraged to apply.