Policy Advisor, MOMENTUM Knowledge Accelerator

Job Description

PRB is seeking a Policy Advisor to serve as a staff member of PRB’s International Programs (IP) department. The position will support learning and knowledge management activities on the 5-year USAID-funded MOMENTUM Knowledge Accelerator (year 2 beginning Oct 1, 2020). This global health project focuses on monitoring and evaluation, innovation and adaptive learning, knowledge management, and strategic communication for a suite of USAID awards under the MOMENTUM umbrella. The PRB-led consortium works to synthesize and package key program data, information, and learning from across the suite of awards; promote and track the use of data and learning for improving MNCH/FP/RH programming; share best practices with key regional and global stakeholders through various live and digital platforms; and raise broad awareness about the project’s impact.

This position primarily supports the MOMENTUM Knowledge Accelerator Senior Directors for Learning and Knowledge Management/ Translation (KMT).The candidate will understand the importance of data in informing decision making and program adjustments, have excellent critical thinking, analytic and writing skills, and the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling knowledge products and actionable results. The Policy Advisor will be responsible for working within the MOMENTUM suite of awards to implement a common learning agenda and monitoring and evaluation framework. The candidate will also support efforts to ensure that critical data and information are made accessible to and used by other projects in the MOMENTUM suite as well as by key external stakeholders. The position requires implementation research methods and analytics experience, strong understanding of global monitoring and evaluation guidelines for MNCH and/or FP, the ability to synthesize research findings coupled with excellent technical writing skills, and experienced partnership management. The position will support the: development of various resources, including toolkits, briefs, and reference materials; organization and hosting of virtual knowledge exchange events; and creation of content and strategies to engage users of the internal KM platform.

Collaboration is a central aspect of PRB’s approach; the ideal candidate for this position will be someone with strong communication skills who thrives in highly-collaborative settings and has experience successfully working in low- and middle-income countries and with people from diverse backgrounds. The successful candidate will also be able to balance working independently and contributing to team efforts. S/he will have a keen desire to learn and develop new competencies.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical inputs and support to develop guidance to capture learning across the suite of MOMENTUM awards, including data needs, analysis plans, and data use for decision-making, in alignment with USAID’s approaches for Collaboration, Learning and Adaption.
• Develop and implement systems to track the implementation of the suite-wide learning agenda.
• Develop templates and other tools for research and data collection for use across the suite of awards.
• Develop and implement mixed methods analytic plans.
• Provide technical support and advice for data collection, analytics, visualization and use, including dissemination, to answer prioritized learning within the suite of awards.
• Draft and/or provide technical inputs on MOMENTUM Knowledge Accelerator learning and measurement materials.
• Support activities of the MOMENTUM Monitoring, Evaluation, Innovation and Learning Working Group, including meeting organization, structure, and management.
• Track information emerging from global measurement and implementation research working groups to ensure that lessons learned from MOMENTUM Knowledge Accelerator are influencing global thinking and to fast track new global guidance to MOMENTUM partners.
• Synthesize data and learning in clear, concise, and visually compelling formats such as briefs, memos, fact sheets, blogs, infographics, newsletters, or social media posts.
• Actively contribute content and engage users in knowledge sharing and learning via the internal knowledge management platform (intranet).
• Support sharing of measurement, evaluation and learning through the MOMENTUM knowledge platform.
• Organize and participate in meetings and knowledge exchange events tied to the MOMENTUM suite of awards.
• Contribute to various aspects of the IP Department’s work, including business development, participation in USAID or other donor working groups, monitoring and evaluating activities, responding to ad hoc requests for information and presentations, and representing PRB at professional conferences and meetings.

Qualifications

PRB is seeking candidates who are highly organized, detail oriented, results focused, self-reliant, resourceful, and collegial. Applicants should have either a bachelors or advanced degree (master’s) in public health, public policy, international development, demography, communications, or a related field; plus 4-8 years of progressive professional experience in global health and/or global development. Other desirable qualifications include:

• Experience with the collection, analysis, interpretation, and use of quantitative and qualitative data, including development of data collection protocols and analytic plans
• Knowledge of technical content and professional networks in at least one of the following areas: maternal and/or newborn health (MNH), child health (CH); family planning (FP); and reproductive health (RH).
• Experience with analytic software.
• Ability to communicate quantitative and qualitative data in creative, concise, compelling technical and non-technical ways for diverse audiences.
• Experience translating, packaging, systematically sharing, and promoting the use of technical data and learning with key programmatic audiences.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills. Fluency in English required.
• Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously, adhering to deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work respectfully and collegially in teams and with professionals of different levels and backgrounds, including funders and international partners, with the ability to lead and facilitate meetings, conduct interviews, and prepare high quality correspondence and documents.
• Experience working in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa and Asia.
• Availability and interest to travel 10-15% of time to low- and middle-income countries.

Not required, but a plus:

• Professional proficiency in French.
• Experience with adaptive learning and/or adaptive management practices.
• Experience with ArcGIS or similar geographic information system.
• Experience with strategic dissemination of products and information, and tracking of related outcomes.
• Experience organizing and hosting engaging, creative virtual events.
• Management experience, including development of budgets, workplans and working with consultants a plus, but not required.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. PRB has an excellent benefits package, including generous health, leave, and retirement programs.

Applications:

• Please remember to upload resume and cover letter in the “resume” section. Only finalists will be contacted.
• We would like to fill this position as soon as possible. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
• This position is located in Washington, D.C.

Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Disabled/Veteran

About the Organization

The Population Reference Bureau informs people around the world about population, health, and the environment, and empowers them to use that information to advance the well-being of current and future generations. Inform. PRB analyzes complex demographic data and research to provide the most objective, accurate, and up-to-date population information in a format that is easily understood by advocates, journalists, and decision makers alike. Empower. Our commitment to putting information into action sets us apart. PRB builds coalitions and conducts workshops around the world to give our key audiences the tools they need to understand and communicate effectively about population issues. Advance. PRB works to ensure that policymakers in developing countries and in the United States rely on sound evidence, rather than anecdotal or outdated information, when creating population, health, and environmental policies.