The Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation Lead will lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of PDMO’s project and portfolio monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems. The PMME Lead will establish an integrated portfolio and project M&E framework to enhance evidence-driven decision-making, improve program effectiveness, and demonstrate organizational impact. This position will build internal capacities for project and portfolio M&E and ensure alignment with global best practices and donor requirements. The PMME Lead will also facilitate organizational learning and adaptive management practices across all project, program, and portfolio activities. Ultimately, this role will strengthen accountability, transparency, and overall impact across organizational interventions.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and may only be filled by permanent citizens of the Philippines.

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of a robust Project and Portfolio M&E (PPME) plan and system aligned with IRRI’s mission and strategy, and donor expectations.
• Develop and update PPME frameworks, tools, processes, and guidelines ensuring mainstreaming across IRRI's projects and portfolios.
• Determine capacity development needs related to PPME within the organization and its national partners, providing tailored training, mentoring, and coaching accordingly.
• Foster an organizational culture that prioritizes evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Actively coordinate with internal stakeholders including senior management, Finance, Research project and program teams, portfolio development and management teams, and MEL specialists to integrate and standardize PPME tools, applications, and practices in the Institute’s portfolio and project management system.
• Support the Proposal Development Team and Research in developing robust M&E frameworks and plans for each proposal, ensuring the same aligns with the Institute’s higher-level targets, objectives, and goals.
• Support the Project and Portfolio Management teams as well as Research project leaders and coordinators in monitoring and evaluating the quality of project implementation through a robust M&E framework developed for each project and program.
• With the support of the PPME Senior Specialist, lead in the collection and analysis of relevant M&E information and data to support evidence-based learning in project, program, and portfolio management and enable institutional learning.
• Support the Business Development team by providing evidence-based analyses and intelligence on funded projects, project outputs and outcomes, innovations and impacts of IRRI’s activities and interventions.
• Support the PDMO Head in external, high-level meetings, forums, workshops, and conferences using intelligence information gleaned from IRRI’s projects and programs through a M&E lens.
• Support the development of strategic partnerships with donors, national authorities, and international institutions by collating and packaging M&E findings from IRRI’s array of projects, programs and activities.
• Support the Database Manager and Senior Specialist in building M&E-ready databases, systems and dashboards for both project and portfolio level monitoring and evaluation.
• Lead and facilitate regular M&E meetings and capacity-building sessions, ensuring effective dissemination and use of M&E information for adaptive management.
• Create and execute comprehensive M&E strategies and plans that integrates project, program, and portfolio level indicators and links to IRRI’s strategy and targets.
• Ensure timely development, execution, and refinement of M&E plans, tools, frameworks, and data management systems.
• Oversee and ensure the quality of evaluation studies, assessments, and M&E reports, promoting transparency, accuracy, and relevance.
• Deliver consolidated analysis and synthesis of M&E data to stakeholders including the IRRI Leadership Team, Business Development, Portfolio
• Development and Management, etc., ensuring insights inform decision-making, resource allocation, and programmatic adjustments.
• Provide regular performance reports at the project and portfolio levels highlighting outcomes, impacts, and lessons learned to inform strategic planning and donor reporting.
• Supervise and mentor M&E staff, consultants, and interns, ensuring effective capacity-building and performance.

• At least a Master's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or related field with at least 5 years of professional experience in MEL roles within international development, humanitarian, or research-focused organizations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Statistics, or related field with at least 10 years of professional experience in MEL roles within international development, humanitarian, or research-focused organizations and demonstrated capacity to develop MEL frameworks and plans at the project, program, and portfolio levels

Mandatory

• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing robust MEL systems, frameworks, and tools.
• Proven experience in managing and conducting evaluations, assessments, and impact studies.
• Strong proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., STATA, SPSS, R).
  Experience with donor requirements and reporting standards (e.g., CGIAR, USAID, BMGF, ACIAR, FCDO, EU).
• Highly knowledgeable of project management principles, with familiarity in project management applications such as MS Project
• Strategic thinking and strong analytical abilities

Preferred

• Project Management Certification (PMI or PRINCE2

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.