TERMS OF REFERENCE 

Position Description 

Background 

Three decades after ASEAN was established, ASEAN Leaders recognised that: there remained inadequate shared prosperity, ASEAN awareness and contact among people of ASEAN. 

It was of this concern that ASEAN Leaders established the ASEAN Foundation during ASEAN’s 30th Anniversary Commemorative Summit in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on 15 December 1997. 

After its establishment, the ASEAN Foundation has been tasked with supporting ASEAN’s community-building efforts by promoting greater awareness of the ASEAN identity, human resource development, people-to-people interaction, and close collaboration among the business sector, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders in ASEAN. We continue to complement ASEAN priorities. To date, we work to strengthen the ASEAN Community. 

We work in four thematic areas: education, arts and culture, environment, media development, and community building. We provide support through community projects, trainings, scholarships, fellowships, internships, and exchanges. We also organise meetings, conferences, roundtables, and workshops in support of the ASEAN Community.  

In line with the ASEAN Foundation’s commitment to education and inclusive economic growth, the AI for MSME Advancement in ASEAN (AIM ASEAN) project was launched to respond to the growing demand for digital readiness and innovation among MSMEs.  

Recognising the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence, this programme aims to bridge the digital skills gap by delivering practical, accessible AI education for MSME business owners across Southeast Asia. The AIM ASEAN reflects the Foundation’s mission to foster inclusive development and regional cooperation in a rapidly evolving digital economy. 

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Project Manager for the AIM ASEAN Project, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Consultant for the AIM ASEAN Project will lead the development and implementation of a robust MERL framework to effectively track progress, assess impact, and generate actionable insights throughout the project’s lifecycle. 

This role is critical to supporting the project's overarching goals: accelerating AI adoption among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Southeast Asia by equipping business owners with essential AI skills, enhancing business efficiency, competitiveness, and resilience, and fostering regional collaboration to build a sustainable AI training ecosystem across ASEAN. 

With support by local implementing partners from the 10 AMS, the MERL Consultant will coordinate the systematic collection, analysis, and use of data to inform decision-making, support continuous learning, and demonstrate the value and outcomes of the project, including the delivery of AI training to 120,000 MSMEs and the organisation of 10 Policy Roundtable Convenings across all ASEAN Member States. 

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and results-driven professional with demonstrated experience in designing and implementing MERL systems in multi-country or regional initiatives. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in data management and reporting, and a commitment to learning and adaptive management are essential for this role. 

Functional Relationship 

Develop and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with the following:  

Internal (within Post) 

Executive Director 

All Official Staff of the ASEAN Foundation 

External (outside Post); 

Local Implementing Partners;  

Donor’s M&E Team/partner 

MSMEs; 

Media; and Others. 

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Work closely with the AIM ASEAN project team in the development and implementation of the MERL framework, detailed implementation plan, performance indicators, monitoring and evaluation tools, impact assessment, and targets embedded in the work plan. 

• Develop and maintain data collection tools and instruments to capture project progress and impact and ensure that data is collected in a timely and accurate manner. 

• Monitor project activities against established plans and timelines. 

• Work closely with the AIM ASEAN project team to monitor project progress and achievements and identify key issues, lessons learned, and best practices to document and publish. 

• Coordinate with the Project Manager for the AIM ASEAN project, Project Officer, and local implementing partners from the 10 AMS to ensure effective data collection and knowledge sharing. 

• Collaborate with the Communication Officer and local implementing partners to identify and develop compelling human-interest stories (written, photo, and video concepts) 

• Support the Project Manager for the AIM ASEAN project in preparing regular reports on program progress, challenges, and outcomes for stakeholders and funders. 

• Prepare monthly situational reports summarising project progress, achievements, and any challenges encountered. Submit these reports to the ASEAN Foundation’s MERL Specialist. 

• Collaborate with the ASEAN Foundation’s MERL Officer on developing and maintaining effective information database(s) on projects, providing resources and necessary support for project inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impact data. 

Education and Experience 

 Essential Qualifications and Skills: 

• Academic Background: Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, statistics, economics, education, sociology, or a relevant field; Master's degree or training/certification in Monitoring and Evaluation, Research, and Reporting is a plus. 

• Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience in designing and implementing MERL frameworks for development projects. 

• Proven experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting using quantitative and qualitative methods. 

• Strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation principles and best practices. 

• Knowledge of the ASEAN region and development context (a plus). 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. 

• Technical Proficiency: Adept in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 

Desirable Skills: 

• Experience working on projects with a focus on technology, innovation and MSMEs (preferred) 

• Proficiency in another ASEAN language, in addition to Bahasa Indonesia, is a plus. 

• The candidate must be able to come to the ASEAN Foundation’s office in Jakarta at least once a week, ensuring regular in-person collaboration with the team. 

Personal Qualities: 

• Work Ethic: Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

• Sensitivity and Adaptability: Effective at communicating and working in a culturally sensitive manner with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders. 

• Resilience and Flexibility: Flexible, creative, and responsive, with the capacity to remain organised and make informed decisions in dynamic environments. 

Additional Considerations: 

• Travel Requirement: Willingness to travel internationally. 

• Public Relations: Proven experience in communication and public relations is essential. 

• Attention to Detail: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Multi-Tasking: Comfort with managing diverse and simultaneous tasks. 

How To Apply 

Any Interested and suitably qualified candidates should send their applications to [email protected] and cc to [email protected] and [email protected] by 30 June 2025 with email subject of MERL Consultant – AIM ASEAN. The applications must consist of the following documents: 

• CV (in PDF, maximum 2 pages) 

• Cover letter (in PDF), stating which position you are applying for, why you are applying, and how you may qualify for the position 

• Portfolio and/or sample of work (if any) 

• Expected monthly remuneration  

Please note that we will ONLY contact the shortlisted candidates who proceed to the next stage of application. If you don’t receive an email from us regarding the results of your application by 15 July 2025, this means that you are not shortlisted for the next stage of application.