Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides effective expert scientific advice, capacity building and services on conservation, development and utilization of plant genetic resources, forest and landscape management, resilient agricultural systems, diversification of livelihood strategies and access to markets to maintain ecosystem services and improve land productivity and the food, nutrition security and resilience of Pacific communities. LRD has expertise in genetic resource conservation, resilient agriculture, biosecurity, pest and disease management, agricultural extension, plant pathology, entomology and animal health. It collaborates with governments, regional organisations, civil society and other SPC divisions to pinpoint the needs and priorities of Pacific countries and communities and provide technical expertise to address them. This mission is realized through four main thematic work areas, or pillars, and a progressively integrated approach to programming that works towards achieving SPC’s development goals.

The role – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer will be responsible for providing overall support, advice, and oversight on project-level monitoring, evaluation and learning to the Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN) project, the Pacific Ethical Trade Community (POETCom), and the Building Prosperity for Women of the Pacific (BPWP) project. The officer will ensure the POLFN project deliverables, results and outputs recorded, analyzed and reported. The officer will also support the implementation of POETCom and its associated projects’ monitoring, evaluation and learning efforts. The position will be part of broader MEL team in LRD and will work on ensuring the NRM, POETCom, and individual project results and outcomes contribute to the LRD goals and targets.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Planning

• Design the project M&E Calendar, and Indicator Reference Table based on the project log frame.
• Set up a functional project M&E system.
• Develop M&E tools for data collection, analysis, visualisation, and dissemination.
• Socialise the M&E tools with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Results Monitoring

• Support data collection and data analysis on progress against outcomes and lessons learned in line with LRD and project reporting timelines and requirements.
• Lead and provide technical advice and quality assurance in the use and management of the project technical databases including the project logframe, training, attendance, lessons learned.
• Contribute to the development of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework, indicator framework/logframe and data collection plan.

Training and Capacity Building

• Conduct staff training on key MEL concepts, data collection tools and processes.
• Oversee and advise colleagues on information management processes by reviewing data collection efforts, overall data reliability, consistency, and quality.
• Participatory monitoring - build skills and encourage all project partners to document and record their progress.

Evaluation and Learning

• Draft Terms of Reference (TORs) for evaluations, special studies, and baseline assessments.
• Support procurement of M&E consultants.
• Provide timely and relevant information to team members, SPC and other stakeholders to ensure that M&E findings are regularly discussed and fed into POLFN’s decision making processes.
• Organise and facilitate project team and stakeholder reflection and learning workshops to document progress against outcomes and lessons learned.
• Contribute to reflection workshops, case studies and documentation of results.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant field such as international development, social sciences, evaluation or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of professional experience in programme development and implementation, including planning, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting activities.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, including surveys and focus groups.
• Strong analytical, verbal, writing and data visualization skills and capacity to communicate to a range of audiences.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated Proficiency with MS Office.          

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 June 2026 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer is band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,146‒2,683 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,460–8,075 (USD 2,854–3,568; EUR 2,629–3,286). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. Relocation airfares, excess luggage, health and life and disability insurances are available for employees. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, prorated on contract length and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure 

Closing Date: 2 November 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000140

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. SPC is committed to learning from monitoring and evaluative processes, to support informed decision making and improve its delivery. Please describe how you have applied M&E to gather and share lessons learned that have contributed to decision making and enhancing program outcomes.
2. Can you describe your experience in conducting data analysis and synthesis from multiple sources? How would you approach integrating and consolidating quantitative and qualitative data to ensure a comprehensive understanding?
3. Describe a time you engaged stakeholders in collecting or validating data. What methods worked best, and how did you ensure inclusion and trust?