CATALYZE Philippines Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL) Officer

Project Overview and Role:

CATALYZE is a $250 million 5 to 8-year program, designed to catalyze $2 billion in private capital, especially to underfinanced social sectors and higher risk countries (especially low-income and post-conflict countries) around the globe, complemented by a cross-cutting inclusion of gender-lens investing. Our aim is for investors to explore and find commercially viable opportunities and approaches to creating jobs, developing sustainable social services, tightening, and rationalizing supply chains, and advancing inclusive growth.

The objective of this CATALYZE activity is to promote social protection and economic empowerment of female workers in the Philippines. As such, it will work to support Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) participants by improving access to essential health services and quality employment. The 4Ps conditional cash transfer program is managed by the Filipino Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and targets the most vulnerable households in the country. Implementation began in 2008 with 300,000 beneficiaries and has grown to reach 4.4 million households, 85% of which are headed by women.

CATALYZE seeks to support 4Ps graduates and soon-to-be graduates by connecting them to skilled and semi-skilled employment opportunities. The program will use various innovative financing approaches, such as pay-for-performance (P4P), to ensure focus is on outcomes while encouraging private sector actors to invest. In addition to providing skills training and employment opportunities, CATALYZE will provide an adolescent- and young adult-specific health curriculum and improve linkages to care through integration with the job site and connections to telehealth and a provider network. Integrating employment with health is critical to ensure 4Ps graduates are equipped with essential skills and knowledge to sustain positive livelihoods. CATALYZE will also establish an adolescent and youth engagement program through which 4Ps graduates will mentor current 4Ps mentors in mental health and well-being, sexual and reproductive health, and other life skills.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The CATALYZE Philippines Activity is seeking to hire a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)/Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) Officer who will be responsible for delivering and overseeing all CATALYZE MEL activities and deliverables. This will include implementing both qualitative and quantitative data collection and methodologies. They will also be responsible for integrating CLA approaches across the Activity, identifying opportunities to pause and reflect, and share broader learnings and approaches with stakeholders. The role is primarily based in Manila and may require some travel within the Philippines.  

Under the direction of the Team Lead and in coordination with the home office Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Associate, the MEL/CLA Officer will:  

Lead and manage the development, monitoring, and updating (as needed) of MEL activities and work plans Review project implementation activities to assess outcomes, impacts, and results  
Work closely with the Team Lead and other staff to ensure activity compatibility and coordination within the MEL framework, and consistency with national and donor requirements Lead coordination with partners and staff and improving alignment with and support to host-country MEL systems  Utilize existing systems for the timely collection, management, analysis, and reporting of valid and reliable data that meet donor reporting requirements Contribute to project deliverables, including annual workplans, and client quarterly and annual reporting, field team monthly reports Institute routine data reviews as part of an adaptive management process including analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data to project management and technical leads Using the Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) approach, develop and lead the implementation of a robust learning agenda for continuous learning, collaboration, and adaptation Oversee the publication and dissemination of information on successful and promising approaches, lessons learned and other program results to partners, donors, government counterparts, and other key stakeholders Gather and evaluate information and ensure that these findings are accurately presented in all USAID reporting and tracking tools Be responsible for developing and designing project tools, processes, and systems to track program progress against indicators for activity team and partners Collect and verify the reliability, validity, and consistency of data and maintaining performance monitoring reporting Other tasks as assigned  

Required Qualifications:

At least 5-7 years of experience in designing, managing, and implementing MEL activitiesDemonstrated expertise in designing rigorous quantitative and qualitative data collection systems and methods for data analysis and moving routine analytics and research findings to program actions Knowledge of management information systems and data use in a complex program environment with multiple implementing organizations Experience in CLA, knowledge management, and dissemination of findings Proven ability to communicate and translate in English complex technical and policy data and issues clearly and effectively to different stakeholders to build consensus Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with host country government personnel stakeholders, NGO partners, and international donor agencies Strong analytical and computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, web-based research) Ability and experience in contributing to technical reports in coordination with a team Ability to multi-task and keep track of concurrent activities and deadlines Fluency in written and spoken English and Tagalog required Self-motivated, proactive and driven individual who is able to work both independently and autonomously, but also as part of a team Ability to problem solve and think analytically Attention to detail and ability to perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities effectively and efficiently often within a required timeframe 

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in any of the following or related fields: social science, international development, public health, evaluation, statistics, or economics Youth workforce development and/or sexual and reproductive health-specific MEL experience Familiarity with USAID M&E concepts, standards, and best practices Proven skills in integrating private sector, gender, and/or youth considerations into activities and reporting on the outcomes 

Company Overview:

About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

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