Learning Advisor (USAID/Evaluation Learning Activity)

Job Description

• Develop and manage the CLA plan and learning agenda, by engaging project staff, partners, and donor stakeholders to develop a plan covering technical and administrative/operational areas
• Facilitate annual learning agenda progress review and quarterly CLA sessions with project staff, partners and donor stakeholders
• Guide staff and senior management team on how to realize progressive, CLA-oriented program supervision practices, primarily by bolstering USAID’s evaluation, development and organizational learning practices
• Work with the technical and administrative/operational team leads to plan, and or/manage CLA strategies and activities and align technical and administrative/operational approaches
• Co-develop and facilitate learning workshops with technical leads. Engage partners in identifying ways to adapt and scale approaches to improve global health programming
• Develop and oversee project communications strategy. Ensure quality control of project communications and marketing media and provide high-level editorial assistance and quality control to the publication of all project reporting and communications
• Leverage a mix of informational sources and research methods – project M&E data, observations from staff, donor representatives, beneficiaries and partners, learning studies and other primary and secondary research, in order to; (i) analyze project progress towards goals and learning objectives, (ii) communicate those findings both externally and internally, and (iii) apply that learning into improved work-planning and activities. Lead and manage relevant learning studies as needed
• Participate in regular senior management planning meetings and provide analytical feedback and support to inform decisions by senior management and the technical and administrative/operational leads
• Serves as a role model for instilling a culture of adaptive management and establishing processes that contribute to effective collaboration, learning, and adaptation systems

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in organizational learning, organizational behavior, public policy or administration, management, social sciences, international development, sociology, or related field required
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in knowledge management, communications, M&E, organizational learning and/or strategic learning in an international development context
• Familiarity with the concept of adaptive management/CLA, and demonstrated experience using a mix of informational sources and research methods to analyze project progress, communicate findings to a range of external and internal stakeholders, and apply learning to work planning
• Experience providing leadership, supervising staff, managing multiple complex project components, and convening people across technical teams to build consensus and achieve an outcome
• Experience contributing to the design and implementation of a development project’s strategic communications strategy required
• Superior, demonstrated writing, reporting, and oral presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to be collaborative, flexible, and creative; evidence of open and learning-oriented management style
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required
• Deep knowledge of USAID regulations and compliance
• In addition, proficiency in a second language French and or Spanish are desirable

About the Organization

QED is a global consulting firm with more than 20 years of experience providing data-driven and insightful solutions in close to 100 countries. We are passionate about transforming lives through knowledge-based solutions. Leveraging deep expertise in monitoring, evaluation, global health, and learning, we help our clients collect, analyze, visualize, and ultimately use data in more effective ways. Our work maximizes results through the use of cutting-edge technologies and innovation, organizational development, and evidence-based decision-making.

QED seeks a Learning Advisor for an anticipated USAID-funded project focused on providing Evaluation and Learning support for global health programming. The Learning Advisor will be responsible for leading and overseeing Collaborating Learning and Adapting (CLA) activities, supporting and applying adaptive management principles, and facilitating the dissemination of learning activities. The position reports to the Chief of Party and is based in Washington DC.

Position is contingent upon contract award