Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Officer (ECCD Acceleration Program - BARMM)

The Organisation

Plan International Pilipinas is a girl-centered community-focused non-government organization, serving the Philippines for the last 64 years.

We are a newly locally registered Foundation, connected to 80+ Plan International offices worldwide.

We work with around 7,000 partner communities, or barangays across the country, delivering programs on (PIER) Protection from Violence, Inclusive Health, Education to Economic Empowerment, and Resilience and Humanitarian.

We have 30,000 sponsored children and 2.5 million program participants, co-creating lasting impact, especially for girls.

About the Project

With funding support from UNICEF, Plan International Pilipinas will implement the Accelerating an Improved Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program Delivery in BARMM project. This project aims to contribute to providing quality early childhood education to children aged 3–4 years across BARMM provinces and cities, including Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Basilan, Lamitan City, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and the Special Geographic Area (SGA).

About the Role

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer will lead the project’s monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning functions, ensuring strong evidence-based implementation and learning throughout the project cycle. The role is central to facilitating the Program Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (PMERL) System, ensuring adherence to organizational standards and donor requirements.

The MERL Officer is responsible for developing and implementing the project MERL Plan, strengthening data systems, and ensuring that monitoring and learning processes are participatory, child-centered, and gender-responsive. The role also provides technical guidance to project staff and partners in project planning, performance tracking, evaluation, research, learning, and knowledge management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and use of the PMERL system across the assigned geographic areas
• Establish, maintain, and strengthen information and database systems for effective data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Train or facilitate training for project staff on MERL concepts, tools, and processes, as needed
• Facilitate participatory program reviews with staff and partners to support reflection, learning, and adaptive management
• Prepare progress reports, data analyses, and learning products to support evidence-based decision-making
• Facilitate training and capacity-building activities for staff, partners, and communities on project development, proposal preparation, project management, and grant conceptualization
• Lead the documentation, storage, and sharing of best practices, innovations, and lessons learned

Requirements and Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Communication, Social Science, Social Work, Community Development, Statistics, or related fields
• Advanced or postgraduate degree is an advantage

Training and Technical Knowledge

• Training or strong background in:
• Rights-Based Programming
• Communications for Development
• Community Development
• Program / Project Management
• Participatory Research
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Methods

Experience

• At least three (3) years of experience in research, planning, and management of community research and development-related projects
• Experience in projects related to education or early childhood care and development, is an advantage
• Demonstrated hands-on experience using participatory approaches in community-based settings
• Strong data analysis, reporting, and documentation skills

Core Competencies

• Digital Literacy: Proficient in the use of computers, software applications, multimedia tools, and internet-based platforms
• Communication: Well-developed written and oral communication skills; able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders, including effective negotiation and representation skills
• People Skills: Ability to work both independently and as part of a team; demonstrates leadership and the capacity to support and train local and international staff; able to work with diverse communities in a culturally sensitive and participatory manner

Why Join Us?

This role provides an opportunity to contribute to a high-impact ECCD initiative by strengthening learning, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making. You will work closely with communities, partners, and development practitioners to support improved outcomes for young children in BARMM.

*This position is an anticipatory hire and is subject to the approval and finalization of grant funding.

Location: Cotabato City (with frequent travel to project areas)

Type of Role: Project-based (until March 2027)

Reports to: Project Manager

Flexible working arrangements

Competitive compensation package (local T&C)

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.