Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Lead

Program Background

The Education Quality for Inclusive Prosperity (EQUIP) is a new Australian-funded program, implemented in the Philippines. EQUIP will support the Philippine Government’s efforts to strengthen senior secondary school education and ensure that senior secondary school learners have the skills to participate meaningfully in the labour force. EQUIP is a partnership between the Governments of Australia and the Philippines, EQUIP will contribute to Philippine Government-led education reforms, including the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) 5-Point Reform Agenda, which aims to harness the potential of young Filipinos.

EQUIP aims to support the Philippines’ inclusive economic growth ambitions by ensuring the labour force is well equipped with skills relevant to meet the needs of the country’s rapidly transforming economy. EQUIP aims to promote skills development in senior high school and enable a smooth transition to the labour force, whether immediately upon leaving school or after further education. It will also support Philippine Government agencies improve its policies and practices to support relevant skills pathways for senior secondary school learners.

About DT Global Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

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The Role

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Lead will set the strategic direction and be responsible for implementing EQUIP’s MERL plan. The MERL Plan follows DFAT’s design, monitoring and evaluation standards, outline the program’s data analysis and knowledge management frameworks and operationalise the MERL approach. Close working relationships with all team members and DT Global are essential to ensure that the MERL Plan and approach is understood and easily implemented.

The MERL Lead will :

The MERL Lead will establish and manage the Program MERL Team, leading the operational aspects, the management of technical inputs and ensuring quality and timeliness of outputs.

Lead the development and implementation of the MERL system, building on the MERL plan, ensuring these comply with the DFAT Design and MEL Standards and produce credible evidence for reporting, communications, learning and partnership opportunities.

Provide leadership and quality assurance of all aspects of MERL system design and delivery. Guide, coordinate and provide technical leadership on all MERL frameworks, designs, methods and outputs.

Operationalise EQUIP’s MERL system to ensure a coherent approach to MERL across the program’s workstreams, advice, processes, decisions and activities.

Provide support, training, tools and guidance to enable colleagues, DFAT and DepEd to align and integrate with the MERL plan.

The MERL Lead will maintain a clear line of sight to the end of program outcomes by working with the team and stakeholders to define MERL frameworks.

Establish and be accountable for effective and coherent monitoring, risk management and reporting mechanisms to inform Program staff, DFAT and external stakeholders about program successes, issues, results and risks.

Work with the Operations Manager on the design, development and rollout of a Data Management Information System (MIS) that will enable it to generate needed performance, management, and relevant financial data; ensuring the MIS is accessible, fit-for-purpose and fully integrated with the MERL system.

Lead preparation and drafting of the EQUIP Annual Report and six-monthly update, and progress reporting and dashboards for the Program Steering Committee.

Work collaboratively with the EQUIP team on reflection processes to capture key learnings and evidence of achievements to inform program delivery.

Generate and quality assure purposeful MERL system outputs, reporting and knowledge products in collaboration with the Communications and Learning Lead to communicate and drive EQUIP’s performance narrative and culture of continuous improvement.

Support the planning and implementation of evaluative activities and mixed-method approaches including case studies, activity evaluations, and other tasks as required.

Ensure EQUIP commitments on promoting and mainstreaming GEDSI in the delivery of all EQUIP processes, decisions and activities are captured and communicated through the MERL system and outputs.

Collaborate with DT Global’s Communities of Practice and Centre of Excellence and coordinate enhanced corporate support on MERL as required.

Contribute to developing harmonious working relationships with DFAT, colleagues and key stakeholders, and assist to build the profile and reputation of EQUIP as a high performing program.

Other tasks and duties as required to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of EQUIP.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position :

About You

Experience working with DFAT and understanding of DFAT policy and requirements,particularly DFAT’s Monitoring and Evaluation Standards and Performance assessment Framework in the Philippines or other developmentcontexts.

Understanding of and / or experience with working with the education sector on developmentprograms

Experience in translating data to communication products to socialize and communicate insights on the program to diverse audiences.

HOW TO APPLY

Click the 'Apply Now' button.

Please submit

1) Your CV

2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

APPLICATIONS CLOSE : 13th February 2026, Friday, 11 : 59 pm Manila Time

Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.