Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer - Katalis Phase 2

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer - Katalis Phase 2

Program Overview

Palladium is in the business of making the
world a better place, and we believe that collaborative models and systemic
approaches are the way to achieve progress and success. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the
world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 2,500 employees
operating in 90-plus countries, we help improve economies, societies, and, most
importantly, people's lives. Palladium is part of the GISI
Consulting Group, a company that unites some of the world's top project
management and engineering consulting firms to innovate and accelerate
solutions on a global scale.

Katalis Phase II (2026-2031) is a partnership between the governments of
Australia and Indonesia, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT), and implemented in collaboration with the Government of Indonesia. The
program strengthens bilateral economic engagement under the Indonesia-Australia
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IACEPA) through two mutually reinforcing pillars:
Pillar 1: IACEPA institutional architecture & policy reform (secretariat and implementation support).
Pillar 2: Skills, Businesses & Inclusive Growth, including the Katalis Business Partnership Fund (KBPF) to test, scale, and commercialise inclusive, climatesmart business models with Indonesian SMEs and Australian partners.

Purpose of Position
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
Officer provides day-to-day technical and operational support to implement and
maintain Katalis Phase 2's MEL system across both pillars. Reporting to the MEL
Manager, the role supports the collection, verification, management, analysis
and presentation of performance data and learning evidence to enable adaptive
management, accountability and DFAT reporting. The MEL Officer works closely
with program teams, partners and grantees (including KBPF) to operationalise
practical, utilisation-focused, GEDSI-responsive monitoring and learning
processes, ensuring information is timely, credible, appropriately
disaggregated, and suitable for decision-making and reporting.

Primary Responsibilities
The MEL officer will be responsible for the following:

• Support implementation and ongoing operation of the program MEL system, including application of the program logic, results framework, indicators, and reporting requirements across both pillars.
• Maintain activity-level monitoring arrangements by supporting teams to develop results chains, indicators, milestones/targets, and proportionate monitoring plans for new and ongoing activities.
• Coordinate routine data collection across activities and partners (including KBPF grantees), ensuring clear guidance, schedules, templates and follow-up for timely submissions.
• Clean, verify and analyse quantitative and qualitative data (including partner-reported data), applying agreed data quality checks and documenting verification steps to support credibility and auditability.
• Maintain MEL datasets, trackers, dashboards and document repositories, ensuring version control, data integrity, secure access, and user-friendly retrieval for reporting and learning.
• Produce routine performance summaries, dashboards and data visualisations for internal management use and for inclusion in DFAT reporting and briefing products, as directed by the MEL Manager.
• Support implementation of data quality assurance processes, including spot checks, triangulation, and documentation of data limitations and mitigation actions.
• Support evaluative and learning activities by coordinating logistics and evidence compilation for outcome harvesting, case studies, thematic reviews and other learning products, including preparation of supporting datasets and annexes.
• Document learning processes and outcomes (reflection sessions, after-action reviews, learning loops), tracking agreed actions and supporting follow-up to strengthen adaptive management.
• Track and report on GEDSI and safeguards-related monitoring requirements within MEL processes, including appropriate disaggregation (sex; disability where feasible) and escalation of risks or incidents through agreed channels.
• Support compliance with DFAT and Palladium requirements by ensuring MEL records, datasets and evidence files are complete, well-organised, and aligned to agreed indicators, definitions and reporting formats.
• Provide timely updates to the MEL Manager on progress, data gaps, emerging findings, and operational risks, and support responses to ad hoc requests from DFAT and program leadership.

Key
Deliverables
During the inception and implementation period, the MEL Officer will be
accountable for delivering:

• Updated MEL activity tracker and results monitoring matrixes for all active activities (Pillar 1 and Pillar 2), including indicator definitions, data sources, frequency, and responsibilities.
• Complete, quality-checked monthly data uploads to the program MEL database/MIS (or interim MEL repository during inception), with documented data cleaning and verification notes.
• Routine performance dashboard pack (tables/visuals) for management use, including progress against key indicators and any agreed disaggregation (sex; disability where feasible; geography/sector as relevant).
• Verified partner and KBPF grantee reporting submissions (including completeness checks, follow-up log, and basic validation/triangulation records).
• Monthly MEL highlights brief (2-3 pages or agreed format) summarizing key results signals, emerging insights, data gaps, and recommended follow-up actions for the MEL Manager and program leadership.
• Draft MEL inputs for program reporting products (e.g., monthly internal updates; progress report annexes; indicator tables; narrative results summaries), prepared for review by the MEL Manager.
• Learning documentation pack for reflection/after-action sessions (agenda support, notes, decisions/actions tracker, and evidence referenced), maintained and updated for follow-up.
• Case study and outcome evidence files for selected activities (data extracts, interview notes where applicable, photos/consents where relevant, citations and source logs), prepared for learning products and communications use (subject to approvals).
• Evaluation support pack(s) for any commissioned reviews (e.g., outcome harvesting/thematic study/MTR preparation), including compiled datasets, document libraries, stakeholder lists (as directed), and evidence summaries.
• GEDSI and safeguards monitoring snapshot inputs (indicator tables and narrative notes) highlighting inclusion-related results, risks, and incidents flagged/escalated through agreed channels.
• Up-to-date MEL filing structure and document repository (version-controlled), including indicator reference sheets, data collection tools, partner reporting templates, and audit-ready evidence files.

Reporting Requirements
The MEL Officer reports to the MEL Manager and is
responsible for meeting the following reporting requirements, including but not
limited to:

• Provide regular (weekly and/or as required) verbal and written updates to the MEL Manager on monitoring activities, data collection progress, emerging findings, identified risks, and recommended follow-up actions.
• Provide timely and accurate inputs to monthly program progress reports, MEL dashboards, and workplan tracking tools.
• Prepare and submit MEL inputs for DFAT contractual reports and ad hoc information requests, ensuring accuracy, coherence, and alignment with approved indicators, reporting schedules, and contractual requirements.
• Undertake quality assurance of MEL data, analysis, and narratives prior to submission, in line with DFAT standards and Palladium policies and procedures.
• Document outcomes, insights, and agreed actions arising from learning workshops, reflection sessions, after-action reviews, and other learning activities.
• Maintain well-organized, accessible, and up-to-date MEL records to support adaptive management, compliance, auditability, and continuous improvement.
• Promptly report and document issues related to safeguarding, GEDSI, environmental and social risks, fraud and anti-corruption, and ethics and integrity, in accordance with DFAT and Palladium policies.
• Escalate risks, incidents, or non-compliance in a timely manner and in accordance with approved escalation protocols.
• Palladium encourages flexible work practices to
  enhance wellbeing, productivity, and team culture. For this role, employees are
  required to maintain an in-office presence for the majority of their working
  week. For example, employees working five days per week are expected to work
  from the office for a minimum of three days per week.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Statistics, Social Sciences, or a related discipline (postgraduate qualification desirable).
• Minimum of 5 (five) years' experience in monitoring, evaluation, learning, or program performance roles within development programs or related contexts.
• Demonstrated experience supporting MEL systems, including indicator development, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Familiarity with results-based management approaches and basic evaluation methodologies.
• Experience working with donor-funded programs, preferably DFAT-funded or DFAT-aligned; experience working in Indonesia and/or with Government of Indonesia institutions is an advantage.
• Strong analytical and data literacy skills, with the ability to synthesize and present quantitative and qualitative information clearly.
• Experience using Excel and/or digital MEL systems, databases, dashboards, or data visualization tools (experience with statistical software or GIS is an advantage).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with partners and teams; demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Bahasa Indonesia
• Demonstrated capacity and willingness to undertake travel and manage multiple tasks effectively in across office-based and field-based environments.