Training & Communication Director, Ethiopia Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Service (EPMES) Activity

Job Description

Training & Communication Director

USAID/Ethiopia Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Service (EPMES) Activity

Project Objective:

The five-year $16.6 million Ethiopia Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Service (EPMES) Activity aims to provide USAID/Ethiopia with project/activity external evaluation, performance monitoring and performance management support services in alignment with the USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) and Evaluation Policy. The contract assists USAID/Ethiopia and its partners to generate empirical data on project/activity implementation as well as foster learning and knowledge management to improve evidence-based project design and development programming in support of the Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). EPMES provides support services at all stages of USAID’s program cycle. Specific services to be provided under this contract include implementation of external evaluations, as directed by the Mission’s Program Office and Development Objective Teams/Technical Offices; management and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) technical capacity building for implementing partners (IPs), select local organizations, and Mission staff on M&E best practices, data collection, data analysis, and data quality assurance practices; support to technical offices to analyze geo-referenced data and produce maps with geographic information system (GIS) tools; and support to IPs and Mission staff for the ongoing use of the Agency’s portfolio management system(s), including AID tracker Plus (AT+), for active performance management. The expected results of this contract are to build internal and external M&E capacities of USAID staff and IPs to improve accountability and the use of empirical evidence for programming, learning, and adapting at every stage of the project cycle.

Position Description:

This position will serve as the Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) lead within the EPMES structure. The position holder will lead the development and implementation of the CLA strategy for USAID/Ethiopia and its implementing partners. S/He will assemble, synthesize, and communicate information to Mission staff, IPs, GoE, and other development partners to promote the CLA objectives. S/He will also pool and manage resources needed to build the capacity for learning and adapting within the Mission and IP staff, including helping with facilitation of learning events. A proposed job description for the Training and Communication Director is attached.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop resources to create, capture, organize, translate, share, and apply knowledge to improve USAID/Ethiopia programs
• Coordinate knowledge capturing, sharing and strategic learning within the Mission, Government of Ethiopia, EPMES, and USAID implementing partners
• Develop high-impact electronic and print learning and communication approaches, messages, and materials
• Coordinate, plan, and implement institutional learning activities relevant to the achievement of USAID/Ethiopia CDCS goals and objectives, such as special studies, pause and reflection activities, after-action reviews, briefings, communities of practice, learning events, and/or seminars
• Assist the Mission’s CLA Advisor in strengthening systems and processes that promote and facilitate efficient learning and knowledge-sharing
• Track best practices in knowledge management and learning to incorporate new or improved learning tools and approaches into the overall Mission’s CLA program
• Synthesize evidence and experiences from various literature sources to support continuous learning across USAID projects and activities
• Lead the development of a system for monitoring the application of learning in project and activity implementation practices
• Collaborate closely with the EPMES monitoring, GIS, and evaluation teams to generate continuous learning
• Share knowledge and best practices across USAID technical offices and implementing partner activities
• Supervise the EPMES CLA Advisor and CLA Coordinator
• Identify and manages external consultants recruited to undertake work related to collaboration, learning, and adapting
• Lead the development of training materials, guidelines, and PowerPoint slides, ensuring that these materials are adapted to meet specific needs of target groups
• Conduct training and facilitate workshops and meetings
• Periodically conduct assessments and case studies to generate evidence and identify best practices and learning gaps
• Organize and manage learning events

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in journalism, communication, public relations, or another related field
• Knowledgeable about USAID’s Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting strategy and resources
• A minimum of 10 years of experience, out of which at least five years in a senior level
• Knowledge of, and experience with USAID’s Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting resources
• Solid expertise in developing training and communication materials
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Experience working in USAID-funded activities or projects
• Outstanding capacity to provide constructive feedback, foster collaboration, and promote adapting of leaning to implementation practices
• Knowledge of research, monitoring, and evaluation
• Experience in web design and content production is a plus
• Proficiency in relevant desktop publishing software
• Experience in organizational capacity development
• Excellent planning, critical thinking, decision-making, and organizational skills
• Ability to create positive working relation both internal and external stakeholders

Reporting:

The Training & Communication Director will report to the Chief of Party, USAID Ethiopia/EPMES Activity at Social Impact.

Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.

About the Organization

Social Impact (SI) is a Washington, DC-area international development management consulting firm. SI’s mission is to improve the effectiveness of international development programs in improving people’s lives. We provide a full range of management consulting, technical assistance, and training services to strengthen international development programs, organizations, and policies. We provide services globally in the areas of monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, project and program design, organizational capacity building, and gender and social analysis. SI services cross-cut all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. SI’s clients include US government agencies such as USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the US Department of State, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and non-profits.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com