MERL Coordinator for Shikshya – Project Preparation Fund

Number of positions: 1

Summary of Position

ROLE PROFILE:

Title: MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning) Coordinator for Shikshya - Project Preparation Fund

Functional Area: MERL

Reports to: Project Manager-- Direct / MERL Coordinator – Regional office East--Dotted

Location: Dhanusha (Regional Office East -ROE)

Travel required: Yes

Grade: C2

Type: Open to all applicants, Fixed-term employment until March 2028; based in Regional Office- East. 

 

ABOUT PLAN INTERNATIONAL NEPAL:

Plan International is a development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners in over 75 countries. Our programs are underpinned by a core of defined values, including transparency and accountability, team collaboration, inclusion and integration, as well as the overall ambition to empower girls and young women as legacy.

Plan International has been working in Nepal since 1978 and developed a strong reputation as a respected development and humanitarian actor helping marginalized children, their families and communities to access their rights to health, education, economic security and protection. Through the support of local partners, Plan International has worked in 42 districts in Nepal since 1978. 

Plan International strives for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Our ambition from now to 2027 is to see All Girls Standing Strong Creating Global Change.

Plan International Nepal seeks candidates who practice feminist leadership, promote diversity, actively seek innovative solutions for problems, courageously and respectfully share their opinions and ideas, break down barriers and engender cross-department collaboration, practice active listening, maintain confidentiality, build trust and are passionate about children’s rights and equality for girls.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MERL Coordinator provides the MERL expertise required to establish and use valid evidence for the formulation of the upcoming MOFA Japan-funded project through the Shikshya - Project Preparation Fund.  The role validates targeting, needs, interventions, and results through the Needs Assessment and Pilot Program and applies the evidence to future project design and formulation. The role also provides MERL expertise throughout the project cycle for projects implemented with top-up funding.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE:

The MERL Coordinator is responsible for the MERL functions of Shikshya - Project Preparation Fund and projects implemented with top-up funding. Under the project, the main areas of responsibility are the Needs Assessment, Pilot Program, Evidence-Based Project Formulation, and Evidence-Based Reporting & Strategic Visibility. All project responsibilities are carried out under the direction and approval of the Project Manager, with technical guidance from the MERL Specialist for ROE on MERL matters.

Direct Line Manager: Project Manager

Dotted Line Manager: MERL Specialist for ROE (Providing technical guidance on MERL matters)

Budget Accountability: Management of NPR 1,750,000 allocated to the Needs Assessment under the Shikshya - Project Preparation Fund, subject to approval by the Project Manager. 

Number of direct reports: 0

External relationships and representation: Coordinates with Implementing Partners on program implementation, monitoring, and data management and provides technical guidance and capacity strengthening as needed. Coordinates with external consultants and other stakeholders involved in the Needs Assessment and Pilot implementation and evaluation as required. 

Project Team: Works as part of a four-member project team comprising the Project Manager, Finance Coordinator, MERL Coordinator, and Construction Coordinator, with responsibility for the project’s MERL functions.

Level of Effort (LOE): 100% allocated to the Shikshya - Project Preparation Fund and projects implemented with top-up funding. Support to other projects or functions is limited to exceptional cases and requires prior coordination with the Project Manager.

Authority / Technical Guidance: All project responsibilities are carried out under the direction and approval of the Project Manager, with technical guidance from the MERL Specialist for ROE on MERL matters.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

The MERL Coordinator engages with key internal and external stakeholders on MERL matters related to the Needs Assessment, Pilot Program, project formulation, reporting, and strategic visibility under the Shikshya - Project Preparation Fund and projects implemented with top-up funding.

 

Description

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The MERL Coordinator is accountable for the following results to establish and use the evidence required for the formulation of the upcoming MOFA Japan-funded project.

Needs Assessment

Establish valid evidence on target areas and populations, priority issues, and intersectional needs to inform targeting and design of the upcoming project.

• Design the methodology, data requirements, and quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Manage data collection, verify data quality, and analyze the evidence collected.
• Identify target areas and populations, priority issues, and intersectional needs, and consolidate the findings as evidence for the Pilot Program and future project formulation.

Pilot Program

Validate the effectiveness of interventions and the conditions for their implementation through the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Pilot Program.

• Provide MERL technical input to the design of interventions, expected results, Results Framework / Logframe, indicators, and measurement methods based on the Needs Assessment findings.
• With the requirements of MOFA Japan, including No Change and Details, in view, verify alignment between approved activity details, actual implementation, and reported data; identify discrepancies across records and data sources; and ensure corrective follow-up as required. This includes participant numbers and breakdowns, number of sessions, attendance, outputs, and other activity-level information.
• Assess change and effectiveness using quantitative and qualitative methods and determine what works, for whom, under what conditions, and to what extent.

Evidence-Based Project Formulation

Integrate evidence from the Needs Assessment and Pilot Program into the design and formulation of the upcoming project.

• Analyze evidence from the Needs Assessment and Pilot Program and provide technical input to targeting, priority issues, approaches, and interventions.
• Provide evidence-based technical input to the design of the results logic, Results Framework / Logframe, indicators, and measurement approach.
• Organize data, analysis, and evidence required for proposal development and support the Project Manager in evidence-based project formulation.

Evidence-Based Reporting and Strategic Visibility

Use quantitative and qualitative evidence to clearly demonstrate project results and changes through reporting and strategic visibility.

• Manage and analyze evidence on activities, outputs, and outcomes and provide verified information for internal and donor reporting.
• Collect and document qualitative evidence, including photographs, participant stories, and quotes, with appropriate consent.
• Integrate quantitative and qualitative evidence and coordinate with ICC and other relevant teams to use verified project results and changes for reporting and strategic visibility.

Cross-Cutting Responsibility

• Coordinate with Implementing Partners and the project team on field-level implementation of program activities and required follow-up.
• Provide Implementing Partners with technical guidance and capacity strengthening on monitoring, data management, and MERL systems.
• Manage and update MERL information and data in project management systems such as SAP and PMERL.
• Provide accurate Nepali-English translation and consecutive interpretation as required during field visits, meetings, and stakeholder coordination.

Any other tasks as assigned by line manager in accordance to organizational mandate and priority. 

Ensures the full integration of Plan International’s global policies on Safeguarding Children, Program Participants, and Gender Equality and Inclusion (DEI) within their area of responsibility. This includes adherence to the policy principles, relevant Implementation Standards, and Guidelines. Key responsibilities involve ensuring that staff and associates are informed of and understand their obligations under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their specific roles, and that any concerns are promptly reported and managed in line with established procedures.

 

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

The role requires the following technical expertise, knowledge and skills to deliver the above accountabilities.

Education Qualification and Experience

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences with at least three years of professional experience in MERL, research and/or evaluation in the development sector or a Bachelor’s Degree with minimum five years of experience.
• Practical experience in development projects in Madhesh Province.
• Practical experience in field-level project implementation with Implementing Partners.
• Practical experience in collecting and documenting photographs, participant stories, quotes, and other evidence of project results for reporting and communications.

Knowledge

• Practical knowledge of MOFA Japan donor compliance, including No Change, No Extension, Details, Visibility, Sustainability, and accountability for both results and implementation processes.
• Professional knowledge of results-based MERL and quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methodologies is added advantage
• Knowledge of evidence-based project design and formulation, including the relationships between evidence, targeting, intervention design, results logic, indicators, and measurement approaches.

Skills

• Ability to design and conduct Needs Assessments and Pilot measurement and evaluation and analyze quantitative and qualitative evidence.
• Ability to translate evidence from Needs Assessments and Pilot Programs into project formulation, including targeting, intervention design, results logic, and indicators.
• Ability to verify alignment between approved project details, actual implementation, and reported data, identify discrepancies, and ensure corrective follow-up.
• Ability to combine quantitative data and qualitative evidence to clearly demonstrate project results and changes through reporting and strategic visibility.
• Ability to use MS Office and project management systems, including SAP and PMERL, for MERL data management and reporting.
• Written and verbal communication skills in English and Nepali, including the ability to provide accurate Nepali-English translation and consecutive interpretation as required.
• Ability to analyze expenditures, implementation, and results, assess cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency, and translate findings into financial input for project design and budget formulation.
• Ability to use MS Office, including Excel, and project management systems for financial management, analysis, and reporting.
• Written and verbal communication skills in English and Nepali, including the ability to provide accurate Nepali-English translation and consecutive interpretation as required.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE:

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organization by being open, honest and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organization, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programmes and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

• This position is based in Regional Office- East, Dhanusha, with frequent travel to field as necessary.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN:

• High level: Frequent interaction with children 

Application Method

For detailed Job Description and application process, log on to:

https://career5.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=55066&company=PlanInt&st=9576C5DFAA6AA36DF28C1BDC38CFFA24212FD613

Plan is an Equal Opportunity Employer, such that qualified candidates from minority groups are highly encouraged to apply.

The deadline for application is 18th October 2026. Applications are solely accepted through online application procedures of Plan International Nepal. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Canvassing at any stage of processes shall lead to automatic disqualification. Due to the urgency of the positions, recruitment will be held on a rolling basis and Plan International reserves the right to select a candidate prior to the deadline.

Source: Plan International Nepal via People2People. Apply on the official site.