MERL Adviser (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
📍 Wellington (NZ) ⏳ 13/07/2025
💰 $104,670 to $115,000 NZD 🕔 Full Time
The Adviser MERL will contribute to the team that assures, supports and enables the delivery of New Zealand's International Development Cooperation programme. This role will be particularly focused on assisting with monitoring, research and evaluation of the impact of New Zealand’s International Climate Finance Strategy.
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Adviser is primarily responsible for the effective delivery of a portfolio of monitoring, evaluation, research and learning work and for supporting and coordinating activity level evaluations. They will also actively contribute to building an evaluative culture and support good monitoring, evaluation and research practice within the Ministry.
The MERL team manages the delivery of PDG's Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) work programme. The overall aim is to help strengthen the New Zealand International Development Cooperation (IDC) Programme, and our partners' ability to make evidence informed decisions and policy especially decisions and policy relating to climate finance.
Manage and deliver a portfolio of activity and strategic evaluation and research work
Provide expert advice and support for building evidence informed activity level business cases (this involves problem analysis and intervention logic)
Develop, review and refresh activity level MERL frameworks
Provide expert advice, support and training for monitoring, evaluation and research work to PDG and our partners which is contextually and culturally appropriate
Support the continuous improvement of the monitoring, evaluation, research and learning system, policy, process and practice
Disseminate and promote learning from monitoring, evaluation, research and learning work to ensure it is utilised by PDG and our partners
Actively participate in building an evaluative and learning culture across the Ministry
Who are we looking for? - Mā wai te mahi nei?
We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced with the following skills and experience:
Sound knowledge of monitoring and/or evaluation and/or research theory and practice
Understand at a strategic level, the key opportunities and risks for New Zealand in its Aid relationships
An in-depth knowledge and understanding of Pacific development issues and trends
A general understanding of climate adaptation and mitigation
Understanding of the Machinery of Government and the Government decision making process
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to convey complex information logically and concisely
Proven ability to prioritise issues and activities and to delegate work effectively
Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to work successfully with a diverse range of people
An ability to build, maintain and leverage relationships with key internal and external contacts
A high level of judgement and decision making skills
Ability to work effectively with colleagues across the group and wider Ministry
Good negotiation and contract management skills
Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills
Excellent policy development skills
Ability to influence new ideas, coach, share knowledge and work cooperatively within and across teams
Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.
To Apply/Interested? - Me pēhea te tuku tono
Apply today with your CV and cover letter. For a confidential discussion please email Cath Taylor on catherine.taylor@mfat.govt.nz. To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen, or Permanent Resident.
You must be able to obtain and maintain a Confidential security clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.
Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Confidential clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.
