The Australian Embassy in Hanoi is seeking applications to fill the Mekong Evaluation Support Manager position within its Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Section in Hanoi. For more information about AusAID, please visit www.ausaid.gov.au.
The Mekong Evaluation Support Manager within the Mekong Hub Aid Effectiveness Team will be responsible for supporting AusAID Mekong programs undertake high quality evaluations that rigorously demonstrate the effectiveness of Australian aid and provide a basis for future aid programming. The position will report to the First Secretary, Aid Effectiveness.
Duties will include but are not limited to the following:
Evaluation Support
• provide advice and support to Mekong programs in the development of annual evaluation plans. Take into account Evaluation Workplan of Office of Development Effectiveness and other donors and the Program Management Plan schedules for Mekong programs;
• support and monitor the implementation of an annual evaluation plan for Mekong programs, including coordinating technical inputs from AusAID’s dedicated program advisers;
• provide advice and support in the preparation, conducting, and dissemination of reviews and evaluations including preparation of TORs;
• participate in selected review and evaluation missions.
Design and Quality Assurance Support Role
• work closely with other members of the Mekong Aid Effectiveness Team including Design and Risk Support Manager to ensure that lessons learnt from evaluations and reviews (including those related to aid effectiveness and risk) are incorporated into the design;
• support programs during design to ensure that evaluation requirements are considered and factored into design and appropriate M&E arrangements are in place. Advise programs on the types of evaluation methods that can be employed;
• assist in the review and appraisal of concept and design documentation to be considered by Minister Counsellor to ensure that evaluation findings (both Mekong and external) are appropriately considered and that performance management arrangements provide a strong foundation for evaluation;
• advise and/or support programs in the collection of baseline data and other data during mobilisation/implementation, including supporting data systems and monitoring/management processes, that is necessary for selected evaluation method.
Aid Management Skills and Cross Learning
• Focal point for supporting corporate aid management cycle training associated with evaluations in consultation with Mekong Hub Corporate Support Team;
• Establish communication strategy and enable cross learning on evaluation findings (Mekong & Regional, AusAID, and external);
• Establish information base on Mekong & Regional evaluation experiences including consultant performance;
• Strengthen links with Office of Development Effectiveness and key international institutions and bodies associated with evaluations.
This is a non-Australian Public Service position. Applicants not resident in Vietnam should note that if they are offered the position they will be responsible for their travel and removal of personal effects to Hanoi, along with accommodation. Applicants will also be responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate permission to work in Vietnam.
Selection Criteria
Important: The Selection Criteria are used to assess an applicant’s suitability for a position.
Applicants must provide a statement of claims, not exceeding two pages, addressing the selection criteria below. Statements should detail suitability to perform the duties of the position including personal qualities, experience, skills and knowledge relative to the selection criteria.
• Experience in leading and/or contributing to high quality evaluations for bilateral and/or multilateral aid agencies and use of a range of different evaluation techniques;
• Experience identifying necessary design and data requirements for evaluations at investment design/mobilisation stage and providing support as required;
• Demonstrated understanding of aid donor management processes associated with evaluations;
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team while displaying initiative and drive;
• High level communication and influencing skills with the ability to write clearly and quickly and convey technical information to a variety of audiences;
• Understanding of the socio-economic development, including the role of development assistance, of one or more countries of the Mekong region (desirable).
Eligibility / Other Requirements
• A relevant tertiary qualification in a development aid related discipline preferred but consideration will be given to candidates with other qualifications;
• At least 5 years of experience in aid program evaluation and design is required;
• The applicant must be available for frequent short travel within the Mekong subregion (particularly Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos);
• The position is full time and based in Hanoi, Vietnam.
How to apply
Those interested in this position should lodge:
• A covering letter.
• A Curriculum Vitae (CV) of no more than 3 pages.
• A statement (no more than one third of a page per criterion) in support of their application, using the provided selection criteria as headings.
• Updated contact details of two referees.
with AusAID Recruitment Email [email protected], by 5:00pm (Hanoi Time) on Friday 21 December 2012. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.