Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Learning Specialist

UN Atlas; Manila; On-site; PHP 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Atlas, operating within the UNDP Philippines framework for the EU Philippines Green Economy Programme, seeks a MERL Specialist. The role focuses on building and maintaining MERL systems, ensuring data quality, and coordinating evaluations to demonstrate programme impact, with emphasis on circular economy practices among LGUs and GEDSI perspectives.

The MERL Specialist will lead data collection, learnings, and knowledge management while facilitating capacity development for project staff and

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in development studies or related field with strong MERL exposure.
• Experience designing and implementing quantitative and qualitative MERL/MERL systems.
• Fluency in English and Filipino is mandatory for effective coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage MERL activities for the EU Philippines Green Economy Programme.
• Institutionalize MERL within the PMU by creating databases and dashboards and ensuring data quality.
• Coordinate baseline, mid-term, and end-of-program evaluations and support learning for adaptive management.
• Provide training and mentorship on MERL to project staff and stakeholders.

Skills

MERL systems

Results-based mgmt

Data collection

Training MERL

GEDSI MERL

UN M&E familiarity

Education

Master's degree in Development Studies

Bachelor's degree + 2 years qualifying experience

Tools

M&E dashboards

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines is implementing the EU Philippines Green Economy Programme. This initiative supports the country's transition towards a green and circular economy, focusing on waste reduction, energy efficiency, and renewable energy deployment. The programme aims to improve policies, enhance local government unit (LGU) practices, and engage private and financial sectors. The MERL Specialist role is within the Nature, Climate, and Energy unit, contributing to the achievement of specific objectives related to LGU capacity building and circular economy practices.

Job purpose: The Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Learning (MERL) Specialist will lead and manage all MERL activities for the EU Philippines Green Economy Programme, specifically focusing on enhancing the capacities and practices of Local Government Units (LGUs) in circular waste economy. This role is crucial for ensuring the effective implementation and accountability of the programme's objective to promote circular economy practices among LGUs, in collaboration with private and civil society sectors, with a particular emphasis on youth and gender equality. The specialist will be responsible for establishing and maintaining robust MERL systems, coordinating evaluations, ensuring data quality, and facilitating learning to inform adaptive management and demonstrate programme impact. The position contributes directly to achieving key results such as reduced waste generation, decreased greenhouse gas emissions, and the establishment of sustainable circular economy models within partner LGUs.

Responsibilities: The MERL Specialist is responsible for overseeing the monitoring, evaluation, learning, and results reporting for the EU Philippines Green Economy Programme. Key duties include institutionalizing MERL within the Project Management Unit by setting up databases and dashboards, developing monitoring tools, and ensuring data quality. This involves leading the collection of baseline information and providing data for project management processes. The specialist will develop the project's MERL Plan, guide the analysis of results tables, and provide technical advice on performance indicators. They will coordinate project evaluations, including baseline, mid‑term, and end‑of‑program assessments, and contribute to annual work plans and MERL budgets. The role involves implementing the MERL framework, executing MERL activities, preparing progress reports, and conducting field visits to support MERL implementation and identify necessary adaptations. Additionally, the specialist will ensure project results are captured in UNDP's corporate platforms and facilitate capacity development by providing training and support in MERL to project staff and stakeholders. A significant aspect of the role is ensuring knowledge management and lessons learned are documented and disseminated, with a focus on results, impact, and GEDSI perspectives.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Science, Business, or Public Administration is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's) with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be considered. Fluency in English and Filipino is mandatory.

Work experience: A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in international development projects or programmes is required for candidates with a Master's degree, or seven years for those with a Bachelor's degree. This experience should preferably be in environmental science, circular economy, innovation, waste management, or climate change. At least three years of this experience must involve managing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems, preferably MERL.

Skills: Demonstrated experience in coordinating with government agencies, LGUs, civil society, and private sector partners for data collection and reporting. Proven ability in results‑based management, including work planning, indicator tracking, risk monitoring, and performance reporting. Experience in planning, designing, and implementing quantitative and qualitative M&E/MERL systems. Ability to devise and deliver training in MERL and facilitate learning sessions. Familiarity with environmental management, circular economy, waste management, and GEDSI concepts in MERL. Experience with UN M&E systems is desirable. Proficiency in English and Filipino is required.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: