Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Specialist (USAID/Laos)

Job Description

Summary:

ME&A is a woman-owned international development firm based in Bethesda, Maryland providing innovative solutions for economic development and social progress in more than 80 countries. We provide services across six practice areas: monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL); performance improvement through capacity development; regional and local economic development; water, environment, and climate change; and democracy and governance; and program support services.

ME&A is seeking an experienced CLA Specialist for the USAID Laos MEL Platform. The purpose of the contract is to provide technical assistance and advisory services to USAID/Laos to support MEL tasks for activities. This includes monitoring support services; evaluations, studies, assessments; GIS mapping and analysis; and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) activities. These services will create, facilitate, and strengthen informed program management decisions, and shape the long-term strategic direction of the Mission’s programs. The contractor will perform tasks related to the collection and analysis of data as well as learning from evidence.

This is a full-time position contingent upon the successful award of the activity and will be based in Laos.

Responsibilities:

The CLA lead will direct all collaboration, learning, and adaptative management activities. S/he will serve as a facilitator or co-facilitator of high-level discussions among USAID staff and partners regarding learning and adaptive management. The position will foster strong, collaborative relationships with key Mission stakeholders, serve as a convener for dialogue and learning around emerging issues, assist in identifying and responding to key learning issues, and coordinate efforts amongst implementing partners (IPs) working on common Development Objectives (DOs). S/he will develop and implement a learning plan for the Mission and IPs that outlines key learning questions, stakeholders, and their roles. The candidate will produce strategic communications materials and organize learning events. The Learning Specialist will lead facilitation, including facilitating processes and workshops; facilitating learning, collaboration, and coordination among IPs and other collaborators with the greatest impact on results; producing reflections on the implications of new learning; developing product plans for adapting programs accordingly; and establishing a network of key stakeholders. S/he will ensure that monitoring and evaluation information is shared and fully utilized through knowledge sharing and strategic learning processes to speed innovation and improve upon and bring new innovations to the Mission’s programming across Laos.

Qualifications:

Education + Experience Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as international relations, statistics, economics, political science, or another related field. A bachelor’s degree plus additional work experience will be considered as well.
• At least ten (10) years of demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking/planning, and management experience, and a proven record of programmatic accomplishment, professional achievement, and management competence.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of professional-level experience in learning and adaptive management and knowledge management, preferably with USAID, using innovative technologies and communications methods to generate and share knowledge and learning.

Other Required Experience

• Thorough technical knowledge in concepts such as monitoring, evaluation methods, collaboration and learning, adaptive management, indicator development, data collection and analysis, and performance reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and leading knowledge management programs, facilitating communities of practice, and social networking.
• Experience with learning agenda development, strategy reviews, and adaptive management workshops, preferably as lead facilitator.
• Demonstrated experience with a wide range of development issues, such as program evaluation, gender constraints to development, agriculture, economic growth, environment, democracy and governance, health, nutrition, and education.

• Experience leading large teams of individuals with diverse skills and interests, along with demonstrated success in mentoring and/or coaching staff in project development, project implementation, and M&E.
• Demonstrated passion for facilitating and creating organizational learning, change, and advancing foreign aid effectiveness opportunities.

• Conversation and presentation skills that can influence decision makers and foster organizational change strategies, with implementation occurring within a complex organizational setting.

• Demonstrated experience in strategic, systems, and holistic thinking, managing resistance to change, and understanding of organizational culture, learning, and change management.
• The ability to serve as an effective USAID representative with a wide array of individuals and institutions.
• Knowledge of and access to various stakeholder networks in Laos, including government, civil society, private sector, research institutions, marginalized communities, or a demonstrated ability to forge such relationships.
• Strong professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required.

All applications and CVs must be submitted in English.

ME&A, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. ME&A will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For our EEO Policy Statement and a copy of our EEO Policy Statement and information on your EEO rights under the law.

ME&A is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all applicants.

About the Organization

ME&A, Inc., based in the Washington, D.C., area, provides innovative solutions for economic development and social progress across six practice areas in more than 120 countries. We hold ISO 9001 certification in Quality Management and U.S. Small Business Administration certification as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

Our clients include the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); the U.S. Department of State; the Millennium Challenge Corporation; the World Bank; government agencies at the federal, state, and local level in the United States; and leading corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses.