MEL and MIS Lead

Job Description

• Location: Australia (Canberra or Brisbane preferred)
• Commencement: June 2026
• Duration of contract: 12 months to 30 June 2027
• Open to those with full work rights for Australia

About The Program

The Australia Pacific Leaders Program (APLP) is an Australian Government initiative that seeks to empower current and emerging Pacific leaders to deliver outcomes in their communities, strengthen their skills and build relationships with Australian agencies and institutions.

Activities include study tours, high-level visits, professional development and support for locally led projects, including assistance to deliver community-level initiatives.

APLP aims to:

• empower leaders to deliver practical outcomes in their communities
• build stronger, long-term relationships between Pacific leaders and Australia
• strengthen leadership capability across the Pacific.

About The Program Support Unit (PSU)

The Program Support Unit (PSU) supports DFAT to deliver the program. Abt Global is contracted to deliver the PSU.

The PSU provides the practical support needed to deliver activities including planning, logistics, procurement and coordination. This includes supporting DFAT-led study tours and visits to Australia, coordinating training and events and supporting the delivery of grants and other program activities.

The PSU works closely with DFAT in Canberra and Posts across the Pacific to ensure activities are delivered to a high standard.

About The Opportunity

Abt are seeking to engage a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Management Information System (MIS) Lead (1) to review and operationalise the APLP Monitoring Results Framework (MRF), including testing program logic, indicators and interim tools, to build a MEL Plan to measure results; (2) ensure data is collected, analysed and used to support adaptive decision-making, performance reporting and DFAT engagement; and (3) manage the integrated Program Delivery Hub, overseeing data governance, and providing guidance on information needs to inform the consolidation of activity, travel, risk and results information into a single platform that enables visibility, coordination and learning across the program.

Key Responsibilities

Inception and Transition

• During inception, work in collaboration with DFAT counterparts to establish or adopt existing MEL systems, reporting processes, data standards and governance arrangements required for effective program mobilisation.
• Co ‑ develop ways of working with DFAT in relation to MEL, reporting and use of data and evidence.
• Ensure systems and processes are scalable and fit for ongoing delivery.
• Provide user-focused guidance into the development and implementation of the Program Delivery Hub (ICT platform), establishing a shared, structured and reliable repository of information to support coordinated delivery, reporting and transparency between the APLP Program Support Unit and DFAT.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Leadership

• Lead the design, implementation and periodic refinement of the APLP MEL framework, including theories of change, indicators and learning questions.
• Bring innovative ideas to approach data collection and monitoring where traditional methods (e.g. surveys, interviews) are not appropriate for use with program participants (senior government leaders).
• Ensure MEL approaches support adaptive management, accountability and value for money, and align with DFAT standards and reporting expectations.
• Lead analysis and synthesis of MEL data to generate clear, evidence-based insights for diverse audiences including: DFAT, program leadership and delivery teams.
• Facilitate regular reflection and learning processes to inform program improvement.

Program Delivery Hub and Management Information System (MIS)

• Lead the design, establishment and ongoing operation of the Program Delivery Hub, working in close partnership with the MIS Technical Lead, Program Activity Lead and Operations Lead to ensure a single, integrated and reliable source of information on program activities, participants, travel, grants, risks and results, used by both APLP and DFAT to support effective oversight, coordination and decision ‑ making.
• Provide strategic oversight of MIS functionality, data governance, quality assurance and system improvements.
• Ensure the Program Delivery Hub supports coordination across the PSU, visibility for DFAT, and evidence based decision making.

Reporting and DFAT Engagement

• In line with ODA and non‑ODA requirements, including any differing MEL standards and reporting obligations, lead the preparation of high‑quality MEL inputs to program reports, briefs, DFAT tier 2 and performance reporting and responses to DFAT requests.
• Ensure reporting products are accurate, timely and decision‑useful, and meet DFAT and Abt requirements.
• Support DFAT engagement by providing credible evidence on program performance, outcomes and learning.

Collaboration and Capability Building

• Work closely with the Team Lead, PSU colleagues and DFAT counterparts to embed MEL and MIS into day‑to‑day program delivery.
• Build MEL and MIS capability across the Program Support Unit through guidance, tools and hands‑on support.
• Contribute to the effective integration of cross‑cutting priorities including gender equality, disability equity and inclusion, safeguarding, climate change and locally led development.

About You

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in monitoring and evaluation, data/information systems, social sciences or a related discipline; or equivalent combination of qualifications and experience.

Skills And Experience

• Demonstrated experience leading MEL systems for complex programs, ideally in an international development or government context.
• Strong understanding of DFAT MEL standards and performance reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in applying a Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) approach to MEL
• Proven experience designing or managing management information systems and data governance arrangements.
• Experience developing and managing performance dashboards and visualisations, using tools such as Power BI, Tableau or advanced Excel
• High-level analytical skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and synthesis.
• Strong understanding of data quality assurance, ethical data collection, and data governance.
• Proven experience embedding learning and adaptive management into program delivery, including feedback loops for decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clear, evidence-based insights to senior stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working collaboratively with government counterparts.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, respond to short notice requests and work effectively in a fast-paced delivery environment.

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people with sexual diversity or disability, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement for a position. At Abt Associates we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every role requirement, we encourage you to apply in any case. You may be just the right candidate for this or for other roles across our programs.

How To Apply

Applications close midnight on Wednesday, 24 June 2026.

Please apply online through Abt Careers addressing the Key Selection Criteria (See: About You) 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.

About Abt

Abt Global Australia (Abt) is a mission-driven company working in partnership with governments and communities to help create a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable future for people worldwide.

Drawing on 60 years’ experience, Abt designs, tests and applies evidence-based approaches to development challenges – from design to implementation and technical assistance through to evaluation. Abt has expertise in governance, economic growth, health, education, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, climate and environment, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and infrastructure.

Abt manages complex development programs on behalf of clients including the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Asia Development Bank, and various Australian state governments. These programs are based in over 15 countries in the Asia Pacific region.

Commitment to Equity

Abt Global values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse backgrounds. We provide equitable opportunities for local talent who apply for this position and reasonable accommodation for people with a disability.

Commitment to Safeguarding

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.