Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 136,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

CSIRO is recruiting a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager to lead a nationally dispersed team and implement a portfolio-wide MEL framework. You will oversee MEL activities across Innovation Programs, develop KPIs, and partner with colleagues on RUIC and SME strategy evaluation.

The role requires leading data collection, analysis, reporting, and building capacity in MEL across the portfolio, with travel to multiple cities. Salary AU$135,571–AU$158,863 plus 15.4% super.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in a relevant field (e.g. innovation, statistics, program evaluation), or equivalent relevant MEL work experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading the development and application of MEL frameworks, performance measures, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and reporting.
• Experience in building and leading effective and efficient work teams, fostering a positive team culture and managing performance to achieve objectives.
• Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting, including maintaining databases in compliance with ethics and other policies.
• Ability to produce high-quality written materials in a timely manner, as well as strong presentation skills.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with a track record of contributing to high performing collaborative teams and a proven ability to establish productive trusted relationships with colleagues.
• Demonstrated experience liaising with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve objectives on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small, nationally dispersed team of program-aligned advisors to develop and implement an Innovation Programs portfolio MEL framework.
• Lead monitoring, evaluation and reporting for the RUIC program, including developing and measuring KPIs, building impact case studies, reporting and liaising with the Queensland Government.
• Lead reporting, monitoring and evaluation of CSIRO’s SME Strategy, including data gathering and submission for CSIRO reports, KPIs and governance requirements, and tracking and reporting on Innovation Programs alumni businesses.
• Be responsible for qualitative and quantitative data collection, storage and analysis processes in compliance with organisational policies and processes.
• Prepare high-quality reports, case studies and presentations for internal and external audiences within agreed timeframes.
• Build the capacity of Innovation Programs staff in monitoring and evaluation, and identify and share best practice across the portfolio.
• Develop and manage stakeholder relationships and represent CSIRO at external and internal forums and events.

Skills

Leadership

MEL framework

Monitoring & Evaluation

Data collection & analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Relevant MEL/Statistics field

Job description

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Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager

Company: CSIRO

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the areas that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation .

Role highlights

• Lead a nationally dispersed team to develop and implement a portfolio-wide MEL framework.
• Strengthen evidence-based decision making, continuous improvement and portfolio-wide learning.
• Lead monitoring, evaluation and reporting across key innovation and SME programs.

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

CSIRO Innovation Programs is a team within the Science Connect unit that delivers a portfolio of programs to help Australia turn research capability into real world economic and societal impact, addressing national challenges in research translation and delivering on CSIRO’s function to support the innovation system.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, Innovation Programs Portfolio, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager is responsible for leading the delivery of MEL activities across the Innovation Programs team to demonstrate our value and impact. The role will lead a small team of MEL advisors to develop and implement a new portfolio-wide MEL framework, including defining relevant indicators. The MEL Manager will also partner with colleagues to lead monitoring, evaluation and reporting activity for the Regional University Industry Collaboration Program (RUIC) and CSIRO’s SME strategy.

The role is part of a national team and will work both independently and collaboratively to deliver evaluation, reporting and insights that support evidence-based decision making, continuous improvement and portfolio-wide learning. Some interstate or international travel may be required.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Lead a small, nationally dispersed team of program-aligned advisors to develop and implement an Innovation Programs portfolio MEL framework.
• Lead monitoring, evaluation and reporting for the RUIC program, including developing and measuring KPIs, building impact case studies, reporting and liaising with the Queensland Government.
• Lead reporting, monitoring and evaluation of CSIRO’s SME Strategy, including data gathering and submission for CSIRO reports, KPIs and governance requirements, and tracking and reporting on Innovation Programs alumni businesses.
• Be responsible for qualitative and quantitative data collection, storage and analysis processes in compliance with organisational policies and processes.
• Prepare high-quality reports, case studies and presentations for internal and external audiences within agreed timeframes.
• Build the capacity of Innovation Programs staff in monitoring and evaluation, and identify and share best practice across the portfolio.
• Develop and manage stakeholder relationships and represent CSIRO at external and internal forums and events.

Location and office arrangements: Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney or Canberra preferred. Other locations may be considered.

Salary: AU$135,571 to AU$158,863 per annum (pro-rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation.

Tenure and work schedule: Specified term to 30 June 2028, full-time.

Job reference:104157

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• Qualifications in a relevant field (e.g. innovation, statistics, program evaluation), or equivalent relevant MEL work experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading the development and application of MEL frameworks, performance measures, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and reporting.
• Experience in building and leading effective and efficient work teams, fostering a positive team culture and managing performance to achieve objectives.
• Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting, including maintaining databases in compliance with ethics and other policies.
• Ability to produce high-quality written materials in a timely manner, as well as strong presentation skills.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with a track record of contributing to high performing collaborative teams and a proven ability to establish productive trusted relationships with colleagues.
• Demonstrated experience liaising with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve objectives on time and within budget.

For full details about this role, and the complete selection criteria, please review the Position Description .

Setting you up for success

We understand that not everyone works in the same way and sometimes people may require reasonable support and adjustments to perform at their best. Whether related to the recruitment process or the role itself, this may include options such as providing different methods of communication, flexible hours or physical adjustments to work methods. Please let us know if we can help you to equitably participate in our recruitment process or the role itself.

Life at CSIRO and flexible working arrangements

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Applications are open to Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a pre-employment background check and may be subject to other security, medical or character clearance requirements. Individuals with criminal records are not automatically deemed ineligible. Each application will be considered on its merits.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy .