Position Description

The Learning and Innovation Advisor will lead the generation, production, and dissemination of communication and other documentation that highlights innovations, lessons and challenges, promising practices, and programmatic impact with both internal and external audiences, for the purposes of learning, informing program practice, increased visibility of the projects’ activities and priority areas, resource mobilization, and nurturing partnerships.

The Advisor will provide technical assistance for Making Cents’ learning and innovation activities, providing strategic advice on enhancing technical services and products based on project experience and emerging best practices. The Advisor will guide corporate activities and projects in knowledge generation, strategy development, and use. This includes driving the implementation of learning agendas in consultation with project teams and other stakeholders (within and outside Making Cents); developing knowledge products feeding into the learning agendas; developing new and enhancing existing strategies for knowledge management and learning; exploring learning platforms; and supporting the facilitation of knowledge sharing through communities of practice, workshops, and trainings.

The Advisor will also provide technical assistance to promote innovations amongst projects and internal approaches, and advise on strategies to enhance further learning, increase visibility, and expand impact. This position will represent projects in external and internal knowledge generation and learning fora and support the collaborative efforts that drive linkages and partnerships with other activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead corporate and project-based knowledge generation and use
• Coordinate and implement a coherent knowledge management strategy for assigned projects
• Develop a corporate learning and knowledge management strategy
• Provide technical assistance for knowledge management and program design
• Manage the design of methodologies and tool development for Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) activities
• Oversee project-based approaches to CLA self-assessment and action planning
• Facilitate collaborative sessions to enhance project-based learning activities and address learning questions
• Conduct rigorous monitoring, extraction, and communication of programmatic results and impact
• Enable alignment of programs and technical innovation in support of program strategy
• Create convenings and spaces for learning-focused consultation and dialogue
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, development or related field plus a minimum of 12 years’ relevant experience, or a bachelor’s degree in education, development or related field plus a minimum of 18 years’ relevant experience
• Demonstrated and measurable experience in designing, facilitating, and evaluating tailored learning activities, across a variety of themes, forums, and stakeholders
• Advanced understanding of Professional Development and learning strategies within an international development context
• Demonstrated ability to operationalize strategies
• Demonstrated capacity to work with and support others in applying a range of learning tools and approaches, both virtual and in-person
• Demonstrated experience applying USAID’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles and practices
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing communication and dissemination strategies and publications
• Proven ability to work across technical and operational areas
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work in the US for any employer without sponsorship

Our ideal candidates are

• Excellent leaders, relationship managers, and team members
• Exceptional planners, organizers, and problem solvers
• Experienced working with project management teams and in a matrix environment
• Strong communicators in written and verbal English, particularly with presentation skills for coordinating and facilitating workshops and trainings
• Expert in learning and project management practices in international development
• Able to establish and maintain strong client relationships