Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adaptation (MERLA) Director- Green Invest Asia

The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game. 

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

Project Description

The anticipated five-year, USAID-funded Green Invest Asia project will scale investments in sustainable timber and agricultural products, and green supply chains, reduce deforestation and forest degradation, and increase the uptake of climate smart agricultural practices. The program intends to facilitate mobilization of finance for profitable low emissions business models through support to corporations, financial institutions, and private intermediaries that drive investment in sustainable land uses, increases adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) guidelines and sustainable standards, accesses carbon markets, and mitigates risk for the private sector in climate investments. The anticipated program will work across Asia to assist USAID partner countries in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Laos. This program will help businesses improve their sustainability, green their supply chains, and connect them and catalyze funding from mission-aligned private investors. This program will also assist financial institutions to build their capacity and develop portfolios with positive climate outcomes.  Toward these ends, it is anticipated the project will be structured to include, but will not be limited to, the following objectives or tasks:

• Private sector investment mobilization
• Climate finance
• Business advisory services
• Reducing carbon emissions
• Improving business climate resilience
• Policy and regulatory enabling environments

The Opportunity 

As the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adaptation (MERLA) Director, you will work closely with the CMT of the project to oversee all monitoring, evaluation, learning and research activities. The Director will lead the design and implementation of robust Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) data systems and processes to improve project data collection, management, and analysis to track and report on progress toward achieving targets and program outcomes for the USAID/RDMA PAGI award. This includes building gender and equity indicators into a gender-responsive framework that will protect against maladaptation and other unintended negative consequences. You will monitor performance indicators, link MEL data to learning and adaptation, and provide advice on activity adjustments needed to make the Activity more equitable and responsive to changing local conditions. You will play a role in engaging other staff responsible for the delivery of key results of the Activity, as well as in the preparation and timely delivery of planned reports and data submissions. You will support the project's application of PILLAR tools for reflecting, learning, and adapting through facilitation of Pause and Reflect Sessions.

In addition, you will manage the Communications and Knowledge Management Manager, who is responsible for development and dissemination of regularly occurring success stories. You will leverage the CMT to ensure communications and knowledge management amplify the impact and success of the Activity.

Core Responsibilities 

• Provide strategic guidance, vision, and technical expertise for the development and implementation of the activity’s MEL system, reporting on results, use of data for program decision-making, and knowledge management
• Facilitate the development and implementation of an Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan to effectively monitor the progress of project activities and track delivery against targets, outputs, outcomes, and impact
• Lead the design and implementation of program evaluations, assessments, special studies, learning agenda, and research-related activities required by the Activity, and ensure that they are properly budgeted and staffed, and that all ethical procedures are followed
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