Technical Advisor; Capacity Strengthening

Job Description

Special Note regarding this opportunity; The Technical Advisor, Capacity Strengthening is advertised through multiple USAID Advancing Nutrition consortium partners and is fully seconded to the project. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply through the single (1) organization they are most interested in working for, in this case NCBA CLUSA. Submitting applications through more than one (1) consortium partner is prohibited and could result in disqualification.

USAID Advancing Nutrition is the Agency’s flagship nutrition project, led by the John Snow Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), and a diverse group of experienced partners. Launched in September 2018, USAID Advancing Nutrition implements and provides technical support to nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for USAID and its partners. The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws together global nutrition experience to design, implement and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition.

The Technical Advisor will provide technical leadership for curriculum design and implementation of capacity strengthening activities across the USAID Advancing Nutrition portfolio, including maternal and young child health, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, food systems, food security and country-specific work in both development and humanitarian contexts. S/he will provide technical leadership for designing and adapting courses for specific audiences and other types of capacity strengthening interventions, including distance learning and mentoring

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Technical Advisor will:

• Identify promising innovative approaches to building knowledge and skills across the USAID Advancing Nutrition portfolio, providing technical assistance for the design of courses, trainings and other capacity strengthening activities for USAID Washington and priority countries.
• Design dynamic, innovative, evidence-based learning experiences for a range of audiences, including USAID staff, implementing partners and frontline health workers, based on a clear set of learning goals and objectives.
• Develop course content for capacity strengthening activities, including facilitator guides, slide sets, handouts, job aides and other materials as needed
• Conduct needs assessments to determine the most effective approaches for achieving capacity strengthening outcomes in alignment with USAID goals, strategies, and plans.
• Facilitate learning sessions in both face-to-face workshops and virtual learning platforms.
• Ensure clear communication about the status and outcomes of capacity strengthening activities across technical teams, including the activity team, activity leads, directors and USAID counterparts.
• Contribute to the development of team (both global and country) work plans and budgets, ensuring consistency with project direction and strategy.
• Supervise and mentor Technical Specialists and/or Program Officers to facilitate professional growth and development.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong interpersonal skills and social-emotional intelligence; experience working effectively in cross-sector teams and cross-cultural settings.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate courses, design interactive learning experiences and curricula.
• Knowledge of the principles of capacity strengthening including adult learning, learning styles, participatory methods, instructional design, appreciative inquiry, whole systems design, e-learning and related areas.
• Strong planning, organization, and strategic thinking skills
• Exceptional communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills with a dynamic, engaging facilitation style
• Confident giving and receiving feedback in a direct, professional manner.
• Ability to direct multiple long and short-term activities simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Past experience working with USAID preferred

For a complete list of Responsibilities and Compentencies access the Technical Advisor document under the MORE INFORMATION Heading below.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Master’s degree or advanced degree in instructional design, human-centered design, organizational development, international development or communication.
• Experience: 7 years of experience working with capacity strengthening programs in international development, ideally with an emphasis on health, nutrition, food security, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, HIV, livelihoods or a related field.

• Ability to undertake field travel (approximately 30%)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Fluency in French, Russian or Portuguese highly desirable.

About the Organization

NCBA CLUSA is the primary voice in the United States for people who use cooperatives to build a better world. By strengthening cooperatives, building resilient communities and providing economic opportunities, NCBA CLUSA, through its international and US programs, works through the cooperatives principles in more than 20 countries. Since 1916, NCBA CLUSA has shared the cooperative advantage, highlighting the impact cooperatives have in bettering the lives of individuals, families and communities. Through its advocacy program, NCBA CLUSA educations lawmakers and promotes the cooperative business model, working with public and private thought leaders.

NCBA CLUSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply; 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, and legally protected characteristics for non-merit factors.

NCBA CLUSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all facets of employment, including the employment application and selection process. If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at NCBA CLUSA, please send an email to Brian Gunning or call 202.383-5464.

More information