ACIAR Graduate Evaluation Officer – Research Program

Position Number: 99955
Classification: Australian Public Service Level 4
(Non-ongoing specified term)
Salary: $69,118 per annum, plus 15.4% super
Title: Graduate Evaluation Officer
– Research Program
Program: Research/Capacity Building

About ACIAR

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is an independent agency within the Australian Government Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio. Our mission is to catalyse more productive, sustainable, and resilient food and farming systems for the benefit of developing countries and Australia. We do this through brokering, funding, and managing research partnerships between Australian scientists and developing countries.

Operating under the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Act 1982, we are a specialist element of Australia’s overseas development assistance program, fostering international agricultural research and development partnerships for more sustainable agricultural, forestry and fisheries systems, improved livelihoods for smallholders and more resilient food systems in partner countries.

Our headquarters are in Bruce (Canberra) with 10 offices located in the Indo-Pacific. Further information on our current projects, programs and priorities can be found at https://www.aciar.gov.au

About the Position

The purpose of this position is to provide a unique work experience opportunity for an Australian graduate with an interest in project performance management and impact evaluation in international research for development.

This position is designed as an initial 12-month graduate position with an additional 12-month contract as an APS5 Evaluation Research Program Officer. The position will provide the graduate with a foundational understanding of how to develop and implement organisation-wide performance and results frameworks, build impact-oriented cultures, and process, commission and manage independent evaluations and impact assessments at the project and program level.

Project and program level monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment are core skills in all international development organisations as well as generally applicable across all government and non-government sectors in Australia, making this role a valuable professional development opportunity for graduates in all sectors.
The graduate will be mentored for the duration of the program by the Research Manager for Portfolio Planning and Impact Evaluation and the Research Manager for Economics and Policy, with the overarching program overseen by the Capacity Building Team.

In their day-to-day work, the Graduate Evaluation Officer will be placed in a small team and be responsible for assisting with developing monitoring and reporting processes and commissioning outcome and impact evaluations. The evaluations will examine the longer-term influence of projects implemented by collaborative research partnerships involving institutions from Australia and across the Indo-Pacific region. This experience is designed to assist graduates develop skills in institutional level monitoring and evaluation management, providing the graduate officer with exposure to all ACIAR research programs.

One graduate research officer will also be recruited at the same time and be mentored by a Research Program Manager.

The two graduates will have exposure to other key parts of ACIAR during their two years on the program including assisting on short-term outreach (science communication) and capacity building activities as a part of their work program. Depending on travel restrictions, there will also be opportunities to travel interstate and overseas to view ACIAR programs and engage with our Australian and in-country research partners.

On commencement, a bespoke workplan will be developed for the graduates which takes into account their interests, career goals, and development needs. This will be designed to equip them with the skills and experience needed for their next position, outside of ACIAR. The workplan will be regularly reviewed and revised considering the graduate’s experiences. Formal training courses, such as workshops and short-courses, will also be identified and supported.

Duties:

Assisting with the implementation of ACIAR’s Portfolio Planning and Impact Evaluation program and contributing to ACIAR corporate activities through the following duties:

1. Supporting the Research Manager to identify, scope and provide research assistance to the outcome and impact evaluations commissioned by ACIAR.
2. Supporting the further development of ACIAR’s project performance monitoring data aggregation and reporting systems.
3. Conduct desktop research, literature reviews and sector practice audits as required.
4. Assist Research Managers to manage the performance and results framework by:

• assisting in the preparation of evaluation Request for Quotes
• having a supporting role in reviewing evaluation plans and reports
• supporting the roll out of new project level templates and processes in coordination the other Research Program Managers, and
• supporting internal effectiveness reviews of new and existing systems and processes.

5. Attend relevant project, program and agency meetings and briefings shadowing the Research Manager.
6. Participate in ACIAR Committees, such as Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, and other whole-of-ACIAR activities.
7. Assist with other activities as directed, including short-term projects with other parts of ACIAR including Outreach and Capacity Building.
8. Assist in the identification of interesting stories from evaluation work for publication by ACIAR’s Outreach Team.

SELECTION CRITERIA

APS 4
Graduate Officer – Research Programs
Research and Development Program
Position Number 99955

1. Experience in conducting or supporting project or program level reviews or evaluations.
2. Well-developed written and oral communication skills and experience in the production of quality written material, with the ability to work independently.
3. Ability to develop productive working relationships within a team environment. Show initiative and manage own performance by being self-directed, prioritising, planning and organising tasks to achieve desired results.
4. Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to provide excellent client service and sensitivity in dealing with people from other cultures.
5. Ability to analyse a wide range of information to inform and improve project, program, or organisational management
6. Competent in the usage of Microsoft office and other PC-based office application software.

Qualifications and/or Interest:

Graduated from or enrolled in an undergraduate degree, in field relevant to evaluation including economics or social sciences.

Interest in international aid/development, community development.

Mandatory

Australian Citizen to be employed in the Australian Public Service.

Application

Suitably qualified graduates are invited to submit a 1000-word pitch stating their claims against the selection criteria. If applying for both graduate positions, applicants should indicate whether they have a preference.

Applicants should also provide a copy of their CV and details of two referees.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed either in person or by Webex.

For more information: Bethany Davies via email at Bethany.Davies@aciar.gov.au