Senior Learning Advisor, SMLP-2
Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.
Project Summary:
The goal of USAID/Somalia Monitoring Learning Project-2 (SMLP-2) is to establish a third-party monitoring (TPM) system to collect data that verifies partner reported outputs and selected outcomes, and to deduce lessons learned from humanitarian programs in Somalia funded by Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (BHA)/Somalia. The overall goal of SMLP-2 is to increase BHA/Somalia’s access to independent, verifiable data related to the 1) quantity and quality of activities delivered, and 2) performance of BHA-funded programs in Somalia. This increased access to data will allow BHA/Somalia to make more evidence-based program design, implementation, and strategy decisions.
**Please note: Only Kenyan citizens are eligible for this position**
Position Summary:
The Senior Learning Advisor (SLA) will work closely with the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to foster collaborative relationships with the BHA and its implementing partners (IPs) and serve as the primary convener for dialogue and learning, including both programmatic and organizational learning. The SLA will provide technical guidance to team members, review all deliverables for quality control, identify areas for learning, facilitate IP workshops and learning events, develop lessons learned reports, and serve as the primary focal point for training enumerators. Reporting to the DCOP, the SLA will oversee the Data & Knowledge Manager (DKM). This is a full-time position based in Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travel to Somalia. The selected candidate will have an analysis and writing test administered.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the technical delivery of Task 3 (Learning Support Services), including the design and delivery of SMLP-2 Learning Agenda and Learning Questions plan, learning events, and workshops for BHA and IPs and drafting of the annual Lessons Learned Report.
- Solicit BHA and IPs input on themes, locations, and formats for learning events.
- Ensure efficient processes for identifying and implementing learning themes from activities, including convening regular internal ‘Pause and Reflect’ sessions and developing staff monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) capacity.
- Design and maintain the Learning Module on the Virtual Reporting Platform (VRP) for identifying and tracking lessons from SMLP-2 data and reports.
- Track IP and BHA feedback on Site Visit Reports and moderate discussions between SMLP-2, BHA, and IPs on the VRP.
- Ensure data is packaged for learning events and workshops and lessons are shared to the team and stakeholders.
- Participate in the broader humanitarian and development communities of practice in Somalia.
- Ensure all SMLP-2 MEL activities effectively target gender and other socially excluded groups.
- Support the development of the Annual and Quarterly Monitoring Plans and Schedules to inform program management and strategic direction.
- Support the design of ad hoc assessments, surveys, and special studies.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree is highly desirable.
- Minimum five years of experience implementing field-based MEAL projects is required. Experience specifically on USAID-funded projects is highly desirable.
- Minimum five years of experience conducting analysis to design and disseminate learning activities, quality control of learning products, facilitation of learning events, fostering stakeholder collaboration, designing knowledge management practices, leading adaptive management and evidence-based decision making, and training is required.
- Minimum five years of supervisory experience is required.
- Experience synthesizing accessible learning products, using primary and secondary data sources.
- Familiarity with USAID’s collaborating, learning and adaptive (CLA) management frameworks.
- Familiarity with the operations of BHA programs and knowledge of IP activities in Somalia is highly desirable.
- Strong facilitation skills with a range of participatory facilitative techniques to engage adult learners.
- Strong oral and written communication, analytical, interpersonal, and team management skills.
- Proficiency in descriptive data analysis for qualitative and quantitative data.
- Advanced proficiency in English required. Somali language capabilities preferred.
MSI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities and those impacted by our work.
We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.
MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.
Reasonable Accommodations:
MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech’s Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.