Senior Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) Specialist, Bosnia and Herzegovina MEL Activity

Job Description

Under the USAID Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Activity, USAID has requested support for a broad range of program management, evaluation, and collaborating, learning, and adaptation (CLA) services that will support the achievement of USAID’s development objectives in four key areas: civic engagement, governance and accountability, social cohesion, and private sector growth. The purpose of this activity is to elevate Mission MEL systems and capacity for accountability and adaptation across the Mission portfolio to the next level and thereby maximize development impact.

Making Cents International is recruiting a Senior Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Specialist to collaborate with USAID Mission and implementing partner staff to exploit the available learning tools and processes and ensure that learning supports continuous program improvement.

Role and Tasks

The Senior CLA Specialist will be responsible for leading the fostering a culture of collaborating, learning, and adapting within the Mission and within Activity teams. They must work collaboratively with USAID Mission staff and implementing partners (IPs) to provide responsive, flexible, and rigorous CLA support.
The Senior CLA Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conducting CLA Maturity Matrix Assessments, as needed.
• Supporting the development, implementation, and monitoring of annual CLA agendas and learning plans.
• Facilitating strategic planning and learning events (e.g., CDCS planning, mid-course stock-taking events, portfolio reviews, Mission workshops, after-action reviews, pause and reflects).
• Facilitating consultations with key stakeholder groups, as needed.
• Drafting summary reports of learning events and consultations.
• Develop and implementing, in collaboration with Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, dissemination, learning and use plans for all evaluation, study, or research activity conducted under the BiH MEL Activity.
• Liaising with relevant USAID and IP staff to develop strong relationships in support of CLA activities.
• Supervising and guiding the work of the Knowledge Management and Learning Manager.

Work Schedule

This position is a full-time position (40 hours per week) based in Sarajevo with occasional travel to other sites outside Sarajevo as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Resident of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• PhD with at least 8 years of experience, a Master’s degree with at least 12 years of experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 15 years of experience.
• At least two years of experience in a supervisory capacity.
• Excellent English and Bosnian written and verbal communication skills, including with diverse partners and stakeholders.
• Experience with change management in complex organizational settings, including an ability to build internal and external relationships towards mutual goals.
• Experience developing and managing learning agendas, learning events (including design and facilitation), and event reporting.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in an advisory capacity, including working with and mentoring other team members.
• Experience with data visualization, facilitation, and other methods to help people and teams understand and use data.
• Experience with international donor-funded projects, ideally USAID.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
• Experience with social inclusion issues preferred.

About the Organization

Making Cents International is a certified B Corporation, founded on the principles of social entrepreneurship. Since 1999, we have supported the well-being of youth and adults globally through high-impact programs that bolster those who serve people living in vulnerable contexts in low- and middle-income countries. As a purpose-driven small business, we have implemented more than 130 projects in over 60 countries and are a trusted partner to public- and private-sector clients who benefit from our expertise and broad industry exposure.

Making Cents International is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.