Job Description

About the Program

The PNG Secondary Education Program (PNG SEP) is a flagship investment of the Australian Government, delivered under the Papua New Guinea–Australia Partnership. PNG SEP aims to improve learning outcomes, equity and access for secondary students across Papua New Guinea’s highest performing schools, while strengthening national and subnational education systems.

The program supports the Government of Papua New Guinea’s priorities under the National Education Plan 2023–2027 and is aligned with Australia’s International Development Policy. PNG SEP focuses on improving teaching and learning quality, strengthening school leadership and governance and supporting safe, resilient and inclusive secondary school environments. Cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality, disability inclusion, safeguarding and climate resilience, are mainstreamed across all program activities.

About the Opportunity

Abt Global is seeking an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead to lead the design and implementation of a robust, equity-centred MEL system for the PNG Secondary Education Program (PNG SEP).

Reporting to the Program Director, the MEL Lead will develop and operationalise the PNG SEP MEL strategy, framework and program targets and oversee digital MEL platforms, data flows, dashboards and non-digital data systems, including assessments and studies. The role ensures real-time, high-quality data and evidence inform adaptive program management, DFAT reporting and strategic decision-making across all End-of-Investment Outcomes.

The MEL Lead will support high-quality program reporting and build MEL capability across the program through mentoring, coaching and continuous professional learning. Working closely with delivery teams, government counterparts and partners, the role will translate data and evidence into learning, improvement and influence, strengthening both implementation quality and system learning.

Key responsibilities

The MEL Lead will:

• Facilitate the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the PNG SEP MEL strategy, plans and framework

• Set, monitor and manage program targets in alignment with DFAT Design and MEL Standards

• Oversee digital MEL platforms, dashboards and data flows, integrating data from schools, provincial and national systems and program partners to enable real-time analysis and learning

• Coordinate baseline, midline and endline studies, including learning assessments, lesson observations, leadership capability assessments and GEDSI monitoring

• Ensure high-quality, timely and accurate MEL inputs to DFAT-led reporting and investment monitoring processes, including six-monthly progress reports and targeted analytical data requests.

• Facilitate adaptive management by translating data and evidence into actionable insights for program leadership, technical leads and partners

• Lead joint learning, reflection and sensemaking processes, including six-monthly learning reviews and joint reflection sessions with DFAT, NDoE, school leadership and program partners

• Provide MEL leadership across all workstreams ensuring technical coherence between teaching and learning, digital, GEDSI, safeguarding and partnership activities

• Mentor and support MEL staff and focal points, building MEL capability through coaching, guidance and continuous professional learning

• Ensure ethical, inclusive and gender-sensitive data collection and analysis, including disaggregation by sex, age, disability and location

Key deliverables

• PNG SEP MEL strategy, framework and costed MEL plan established and operational

• Program results framework and performance targets set, monitored and actively managed

• Digital MEL platforms, dashboards and data flows operational, integrating school, provincial, national and partner data

• Baseline, midline and endline studies delivered, including learning assessments, classroom observations, leadership capability and GEDSI monitoring

• High-quality MEL inputs provided to DFAT-led reporting and investment monitoring processes, including six-monthly progress reporting

• Targeted analytical products produced to inform program leadership decision-making and adaptive management

• Six-monthly learning reviews and joint reflection processes facilitated with DFAT, NDoE, schools and partners

• Coherent MEL approach applied across teaching and learning, digital, GEDSI, safeguarding and partnership workstreams

• Strengthened MEL capability through mentoring, coaching and technical guidance to staff and focal points

• Ethical, inclusive and gender-sensitive data collection and analysis ensured, with routine disaggregation

Key working relationships

• Reporting to: Program Director, PNG Secondary Education Program

• Direct Report(s): Communications Manager, MEL Officer

• Internal: Senior Delivery Lead, Teaching and Learning Lead, Digital Technology Lead, GEDSI & Safeguarding Lead

• External: NDoE, PDoE’s, DHERST, Catalpa, partner organisations, schools and Abt MERLA Communities of practice

About You

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Demonstrated experience leading MEL systems for education or social-sector programs

• Strong expertise in designing MEL strategies, frameworks and targets and operationalising them through digital and non-digital systems

• Experience managing digital MEL platforms, dashboards and large-scale data sets to support real-time learning and decision-making

• Proven ability to deliver high-quality donor reporting while balancing accountability and learning

• Experience mentoring MEL staff and building local organisational MEL capability through coaching and continuous learning

• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to translate evidence into practical insights for diverse audiences

• A clear commitment to gender equality, disability inclusion, safeguarding and ethical data practices

How to Apply

• Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.

• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted.

• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted

Closing Date: April 26, 2026 #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.