Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator,– New Colombo Plan (NCP) Program Support Unit (PSU)

Palladium: Make It Possible; Adelaide, City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Part time

Job summary

Palladium is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator (0.5 FTE) to support the annual MEL Plan, turn evidence into insights, and help share the NCP story with stakeholders. Location in Adelaide or Brisbane on-site is preferred, with a 30 June 2027 contract.

The role collaborates across teams, reports to the Manager, Impact and Reporting, and travels as needed to support program delivery. Applicants should have MEL experience and strong data analysis skills.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in monitoring and evaluation, social science research or a related field.
• Demonstrated MEL experience using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Strong reporting, data analysis and stakeholder communication skills.
• Proficiency in Qualtrics and intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with higher education or DFAT program experience highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the preparation and presentation of MEL reports, insights, discussion papers and other key products.
• Support DFAT’s corporate performance reporting, including Performance Measure 2 and associated process guidance.
• Facilitate program reflection sessions and apply lessons learned to strengthen MEL delivery.
• Provide accurate and timely program data by drawing on multiple sources and using advanced Microsoft Excel functions.
• Build MEL capability across the NCP PSU team through guidance, knowledge sharing and practical support.

Skills

Monitoring & evaluation

Data analysis

Stakeholder comms

Qualtrics

Excel

Report writing

Education

M&E qualification

Tools

Qualtrics

Excel

Job description

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator - New Colombo Plan (NCP), Program Support Unit (PSU)

Join us in helping bring the New Colombo Plan’s impact to life. Working collaboratively in a 0.5 FTE job-share arrangement, you will coordinate the annual MEL Plan, turn evidence into meaningful insights, support continuous improvement and help share the whole NCP story with our stakeholders

• Location - Adelaide or Brisbane Preferred
• Contract till: 30 June 2027
• Applications close on Thursday 1 October 2026 at 11:59pm AEST

About Palladium

Palladium is a global development and consulting firm, part of the GISI Consulting Group, working alongside some of the world’s leading project management and engineering organisations. We partner with governments, businesses, investors and communities to design and deliver complex programs that create lasting impact. With a presence across more than 90 countries, Palladium offers the opportunity to work on meaningful challenges, alongside talented colleagues, in environments where your work can truly make a difference.

About The Project

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) plays a key role in supporting the Australian Government’s objectives in building Asia capability. It aims to lift the Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to undertake study, language learning and internships in the Indo-Pacific. The goal of NCP is NCP alumni contribute their skills, knowledge and networks to Australia’s enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. This is achieved through three complementary grants programs: the Scholarship Program, Semester Program and Mobility Program.

Education

The NCP PSU is administered by Palladium on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM). The AAGSM provides operational and technical support services to DFAT’s International Education and Scholarships Branch, with two End of Investment Outcomes (EOIOs):

• EOIO 1 - Operational Support: High quality and efficient administrative and standard business support services provided to DFAT.
• EOIO 2: Technical Support: High quality, coherent, consistent and fit for purpose technical support services that also promote gender equality, disability and social inclusion outcomes throughout DFAT’s international scholarship programs network.

The NCP Program Support Unit (NCP PSU) supports DFAT’s New Colombo Plan Secretariat (NCS) with high-quality grant administration and management consistent with the principles of the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Principles. Support service delivery includes end-to-end grants cycle and funds management, as well as technical support in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), alumni engagement, communications, events management, business sector engagement and risk management.

About The Role

The 0.5 FTE MEL Coordinator role is part of a job-share arrangement with an existing 0.5 FTE MEL Coordinator. While responsibilities are allocated across the two positions, both roles work collaboratively to achieve the overarching goals of the MEL Plan. The MEL Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the annual MEL Plan, in line with the NCP Results Framework, with the aim of:

• generating and developing insights regarding the extent to which the planned outcomes and results of the NCP are being realised
• providing the basis for effective decision-making regarding operations and continuous improvement
• collating results to articulate a ‘whole of NCP story’ for stakeholders with an interest in the ongoing

Primary Responsibilities

Program Delivery and Performance

• Coordinate the preparation and presentation of MEL reports, insights, discussion papers and other key products.
• Support DFAT’s corporate performance reporting, including Performance Measure 2 and associated process guidance.
• Facilitate program reflection sessions and apply lessons learned to strengthen MEL delivery.
• Provide accurate and timely program data by drawing on multiple sources and using advanced Microsoft Excel functions.
• Build MEL capability across the NCP PSU team through guidance, knowledge sharing and practical support

Reporting, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Review and improve MEL reporting approaches to maintain quality, consistency and relevance.
• Update standard operating procedures, process guides and reporting templates.

Other Responsibilities

• Comply with and promote DFAT policies across all aspects of implementation, including Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), safeguarding, fraud and anti-corruption, Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), child protection, and environmental and social safeguards. Participate in relevant Palladium initiatives and professional development opportunities.
• Maintain compliance with organisational systems, processes and established practices.
• Undertake other duties aligned with the role’s responsibilities and level of experience.
• Travel as required to support program delivery.

Delivery Principles

• Work collaboratively as One Team, contributing to open communication, shared problem-solving and a positive learning culture.
• Deliver high-quality services that are client-focused, solutions-oriented and outcomes-driven.
• Respond flexibly to changing priorities and evolving program requirements.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and program outcomes.
• Demonstrate professionalism, ethics and integrity in line with DFAT standards.

Relationships and Accountability

• Report to the Manager, Impact and Reporting, with technical guidance from the MEL Adviser.
• Collaborate across AAGSM to align MEL reporting measures with broader program outcomes.
• Work closely with the NCP PSU to gather data and evidence for reporting and evaluation.
• Liaise with NCS, DFAT teams and other stakeholders to support MEL activities, including surveys, interviews and focus groups.
• Operate with a moderate level of autonomy, supported by appropriate oversight and guidance.

Please refer to the Terms of Reference to learn more about the role: Terms of Reference

About You

The ideal candidate should have:

• Relevant qualification in monitoring and evaluation, social science research or a related field.
• Demonstrated MEL experience using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Strong reporting, data analysis and stakeholder communication skills.
• Proficiency in Qualtrics and intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with higher education or DFAT program experience highly regarded.

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 [e-mail] and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding

We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.