Expert on Planning, Monitoring,

Evaluation and Reporting

Hue, Vietnam
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information
contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes
responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to
change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing country environments. This
assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.

General Details
Assignment Title

Expert on Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

(PMER)

Host Organisation

Norwegian Church Aid in Vietnam (NCA VN)

Website of Host Organisation

www.actalliance.org

Duration of Assignment

12 months

Start Date

4 June 2015

Pre-departure Briefing Date

25-27 March 2015

AVI Assignment Code

10532872

Host Organisation Overview

NCA is a development organisation working for global justice. NCAs mission statement is expressing
that the organization shall:

Protect the dignity of the destitute, poor and oppressed, and join hands with them in their
struggle for basic rights
Challenge the powerful and those with authority to uphold the rights of the destitute, poor and
oppressed and to respect their human dignity
Demonstrate compassion by participating in and building inclusive communities
Combat selfishness and greed, indifference and apathy among those who live in wealth and
overconsumption
Promote sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the global
environment
Strengthen the hope of liberation and peace with justice among those who struggle against
destitution, poverty and oppression

NCAs primary rights holders are:

1. Female and male infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS in communities, hospitals and in
closed settings.
2. Women and men, boys and girls in especially rural communities with a focus on families
suffering Domestic Violence.

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3. Communities with poor and marginalized people in coastal and lowland areas affected by
disasters related climate change.
In Vietnam, for the period 2011-2015, NCA has the following main focus areas:
Health Justice:
1. To strengthen Faith-based organisations (mainly Buddhists and Catholic) to develop and
professionalize the social work and (health) care programmes
2. To promote increased cooperation between the professional health care systems, CSOs
(including FBOs) and representatives from marginalized groups (especially PLHIV)
3. To advocate for a policy environment that is open to tripartite (see 2.) cooperation, ensures
upward and downward accountability and greater participation of marginalized groups
Climate Justice:
1. Support affected communities to develop their livelihood in order to make them less vulnerable
to climate change, by livelihood projects, improved water, sanitation and hygiene conditions
2. Supporting climate change mitigation, with focus on biogas and solar energy solutions
3. Supporting climate change adaptation, such as flood and storm secure housing, food security,
disaster risk reduction
4. Involving local authorities and local communities to cooperate and integrate climate change
adaptation and mitigation into their socio-economic plans and strategies
In 2015, a new 5 year programme plan will be developed for the period of 2016-2020.

Assignment Overview
A PMRE expert is required to train local staff as NCA is currently facing challenges mainly due to:
a) increasingly demanding global standards (internal) and requirements (external) on PMER,
b) a transition from semi-operational to partner-based implementation.
Both challenges are demanding to cope with for the national staff, and it is necessary to attain both
assistance and training on PMER from someone with an international background.
AVI has placed a volunteer with NCA/NAV in 2011-2013 as Climate Change Adviser. In addition, NCA
has hosted numerous other short-term volunteers from Norway and Sweden.

Assignment Objectives
By the end of the assignment, NCA-VN systems and capacity for monitoring and partner follow-up are
improved, through strengthening the M&E systems of NCA and partners.
By the end of the assignment NCA-VN staff competence on PMER (planning, monitoring, evaluation
and reporting) is improved to meet all internal and external standards and requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Volunteer

In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, volunteers complete a work plan in
the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that
may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:

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Work together with the Programme Manager and PMER responsible Project Coordinator to
revise the M&E systems and procedures of both NCA and partners.
Assist the NCA VN programme staff in the development of baselines, outcomes, outputs and
indicators for the projects and programmes
Work with and assist NCA VN programme staff in processes of developing reports and
proposals
Provide on-the-job training through active participation in PMER processes
Assist in documenting change stories and lessons learned

Assignment Information
Line Manager
NCA VN Programme Manager

Other staff
Working closely with NCA-VN Programme staff and especially with the M&E focal person, and the
Project Coordinator.

Hours & Days of employment

From 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday (lunch break from 12:00-13:00). NCA-VN implements flexible
working hours, but under normal circumstances, staff should be available in the office between 09:00
and 15:00. The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5 day week to a maximum
of 40 hours per week.

Leave entitlements
Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays. However, as a
minimum, volunteers will accrue 1 week of leave for each 3 months of work.

Other Conditions
The volunteer will be based in Hue but will occasionally travel to Hanoi.

Language skill and level required

Vietnamese is the main language spoken by nearly all in the country. In local areas, very few people
may speak English.
The level of language competency in Vietnamese that a Volunteer will need to carry out this
assignment is LOW, mostly for daily interactions at market, shops, taxis, etc The Volunteer will need
basic survival Vietnamese for shopping and travel. However, the more language skills the volunteer will
acquire, the better the integration in the community.

Language support
AVI offers 2 week language training support to volunteer during an initial in-country orientation
program. Further language training is encouraged and financially supported.

Living as a Volunteer
Working in Vietnam can be challenging in terms of organisation of work and importance of personal
relationships for successful outcomes. There is also often relatively late notice for participation in public
events, speaking slots in workshops or unplanned changes in programs and work schedules. This
requires flexibility and a level of comfort handling multiple priorities, as well as working to tight
deadlines with a high level of quality.
Personal boundaries are different in the Vietnamese context as the country as a whole lacks public and
personal space. In addition to the lack of privacy, the amount and level of noise can be overwhelming

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for Westerners.
Vietnam in general provides a safe and welcoming living environment. Crime levels are low with petty
street crime increasing, although at levels far below most Western capital cities. Tropical storms and
floods commonly occur between June and December. The standard of primary health care is sufficient
in major cities, but more complicated treatments may require evacuation to a third country, usually
Thailand. In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, there are international medical clinics. Dengue
Fever is endemic to Vietnam and can occur throughout the year. Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird
Flu) in Vietnam have led to 50 reported human fatalities. The last fatality was in March 2009. Malaria
occurs in certain parts of Vietnam, but only in remote forested and mountainous areas. Traffic
accidents cause thousands of deaths each year.
In the city, buses, moto-taxis and taxis are the preferred mean of transportation for volunteers. For
inter-city travels, there is a well organised network of public buses. Many volunteers have found it
helpful to buy a bicycle. The average cost of a brand-new between AUD $50 to $100.
Vietnam has a very modern, reliable and extensive Internet and mobile phone coverage. Internet
service is easy to get in the volunteers accommodation with a cost of about AUD 15-20 per month for
unlimited access. Internet cafes are found everywhere except the most remote locations and costs are
much lower than in Australia. Most volunteers use Skype for overseas calls: computer-to-computer
(free) or computer-to-phone (about 3.5 cents/minute to land lines and 31 cents/min to mobiles). Phone
cards are also available for even lower rates.

Other Requirements
Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments Im likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description.
Please click here for more details about preparing your application.
Please click here to learn more about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer.

Personal Circumstances Constraints

We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to
security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location.

Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants must secure their own visa.

Partners of applicants to whom they are not legally married may face issues in applying for and
being issued a visa.

This assignment is not suitable for couples with school age children due to the extremely high
cost of international education institutions, unless one of the partners does home schooling.

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FirstAid Competency
Apply First Aid Certificate (HLTFA 311A) or equivalent course dated within 3 years of the start date of
the assignment.

Qualifications

University degree in a relevant field

Essential Skills & Experience

Previous experience in working alongside and building the skills of others through formal
and/or informal training and coaching

Previous experience in consulting with stakeholders and facilitating the work of others to
achieve an agreed outcome

Experience in developing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis and production of
reports

Practical experience on Monitoring & Evaluation and/or management of information systems

Practical experience in program or project development for International NGOs or other actors
in international development

Desirable Skills & Experience

Previous work experience in a different cultural context, preferably in Asia

Allowances & Support

These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically
and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.

Living Allowance

Accommodation Allowance

AUD 900 per month

AUD 500 per month

Housing
The volunteer will be responsible for finding and securing his/her own accommodation. This is done
with the help of work colleagues, Internet sites and local housing agents. Housing for couples or
families is readily available. Most housing is rented with all furnishings included and obtaining
telephone and home-based Internet access is quick and inexpensive.

Other Allowances & Support

All AVID Volunteers receive the following:

Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne

In-country Orientation on arrival

Pre-departure vaccination expenses

Visa expenses

Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance

Return airfare to country of assignment

Psychological and medical advice and support services

Re-entry Support services

Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)

Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)

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How to Apply
Should you wish to apply for this position please visit www.australianvolunteers.com.
Select the assignment you are interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.

This assignment is part of the Australian Volunteers for International

Development program, an Australian Government initiative.
www.australianaidvolunteers.gov.au/

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