Senior MERL Adviser - International Development

CGR Services; Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in Wellington seeks a Senior Development Adviser for Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL). Fixed-term to June 2027, you will lead MERL’s evaluation and research portfolio across the Pacific, providing technical guidance and shaping performance measurement standards.

You will engage with colleagues and partners to drive accountability, organisational learning, and development effectiveness, aligning policy and investment decisions with

Qualifications

• Graduate qualification in international relations, development studies, economics, finance or public policy.
• Experience in international development policy, programme design, evaluation or research.
• Experience leading policy analysis and using evidence to inform policy, investment and programme decisions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and leadership across complex environments.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti/Māori concepts would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead MERL's strategic evaluation and research work programme.
• Provide technical leadership on monitoring, evaluation, research and learning across the IDC Programme.
• Develop and strengthen MERL standards, frameworks and approaches to performance measurement.
• Represent MFAT in relevant domestic and international forums and engagements.
• Generate and promote evidence and insights to support policy, programme and investment decisions.
• Refer to the position description for more detail.

Skills

MERL leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Evidence-informed decision making

Cross-cultural collaboration

Education

Graduate qualification in IR, development studies, economics, finance or public policy

Job description

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in Wellington seeks a Senior Development Adviser for Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL). Fixed-term to June 2027, you will lead MERL’s evaluation and research portfolio across the Pacific, providing technical guidance and shaping performance measurement standards.

You will engage with colleagues and partners to drive accountability, organisational learning, and development effectiveness, aligning policy and investment decisions with