MERL Officer

Program Background

The Education Quality for Inclusive Prosperity (EQUIP) is a new Australian-funded program, implemented in the Philippines. EQUIP supports the Philippine Government’s efforts to strengthen senior secondary school education and ensure that senior secondary school learners have the skills to participate meaningfully in the labour force. EQUIP is a partnership between the Governments of Australia and the Philippines and will contribute to Philippine Government-led education reforms including the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) 5-Point Reform Agenda which aims to harness the potential of young Filipinos.

EQUIP aims to support the Philippines’ inclusive economic growth ambitions by ensuring the labour force is well equipped with skills relevant to meet the needs of the country’s rapidly transforming economy. EQUIP aims to promote skills development in senior high school and enable a smooth transition to the labour force, whether immediately upon leaving school or after further education. It will also support Philippine Government agencies improve its policies and practices to support relevant skills pathways for senior secondary school learners.

About DT Global Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com

The Role

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MERL) Officer provides operational and technical support to the MERL Lead, contributing to the implementation of EQUIP’s MERL framework. The role focuses on data collection, entry, verification, and basic analysis, and supporting the MERL Lead in producing high-quality reports and learning products.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports the implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) activities across EQUIP projects by assisting in the execution of MERL plans, data collection, management, analysis, reporting, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Contributes to the development and application of data collection tools and methodologies, conducts field data collection activities, and ensures the accurate, timely, and quality-assured entry, verification, and maintenance of data within MERL databases and management information systems.
• Undertakes data processing and quantitative calculations, maintains project indicator trackers and dashboards, supports required data analysis, and contributes to the preparation of reports, case studies, and other knowledge products such as presentations, briefing materials, data summaries, and other materials to support MERL reporting, learning, and decision-making.
• Ensures that data is appropriately disaggregated by gender, age, and disability status in accordance with GEDSI principles and supports the generation of scheduled and ad hoc reports on project progress, outputs, outcomes, risks, and performance.
• Supports routine data quality assurance processes, including data completeness, accuracy, consistency, timeliness and verification, and flags data quality issues for appropriate action.
• Assists in organizing MERL-related meetings, workshops, training sessions, and learning events; maintains accurate records and documentation; and coordinates with finance and administrative teams on logistical and operational requirements for MERL fieldwork and activities.
• Supports the documentation and synthesis of monitoring findings and MEL activities, lessons learned and emerging implementation issues to contribute to learning and adaptive management;
• Conducts field monitoring activities and provides regular updates to the MERL Lead on progress, issues, and risks; contribute information required for the implementation of the Program MERL Plan; and ensures that all work aligns with the EQUIP Annual Implementation Plan, MERL Plan, Action Plans, and other program planning documents.
• Supports adherence to EQUIP quality standards, performance management requirements, risk management processes, and other program strategies, while undertaking additional MERL-related responsibilities as assigned.
• Undertake, from time to time, any other MERL-related functions, activities, or tasks as may be assigned by the Team Leader and/or MERL Lead.

About You

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in social sciences, development studies, statistics, or a related field.
• At least three years of experience in MERL or data-related roles, preferably in development programs.
• Demonstrated understanding and practical application of MERL concepts, methodologies, tools, and processes such as key informant interviews, designing questionnaires, and focus group discussions.
• Relevant experience in data collection and entry using digital tools and maintaining electronic databases, indicator trackers or management information systems.
• Experience supporting evaluations, research activities, outcome monitoring or other forms of applied learning and evidence generation.
• Experience using digital data collection platforms such as KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO, ODK or similar tools.
• Basic knowledge and / or understanding of applying GEDSI and safeguards principles, including the development and use of PowerBI dashboards.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: https://tinyurl.com/mtyfaa8y