Collaborating, Learning, Adapting (CLA) Lead

Reports To: Chief of Party
Length of Contract: 5 years
Please note that this position is contingent upon award of the funding opportunity and the USAID’s approval of *candidacy.*
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
CRS has worked in Kenya since 1965. Over the years, CRS’ focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances local capacity. CRS Kenya development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.
Sustainable, Transformative, Accessible, WASH Innovations (STAWI) Project:
Sustainable, Transformative, Accessible, WASH Innovations (STAWI) project aims to build resilience and expand economic opportunities in Kenya ASAL counties through better management of water resources, expansion of water and sanitation services and improved use of water for domestic and productive purposes. The goal of the project is to 1) Improve governance of water resources and water services, 2) increase sustainability of water services delivery, 3) Improve management and efficiency of water use for productive purposes and 4) Change behaviors related to water use, sanitation and hygiene.
Job Summary:
You will strengthen the Collaborating, Learning and Ada pting (CLA) practices across the USAID Sustainable, Transformative, Accessible, WASH Innovations (STAWI) project by promoting strategic collaboration between the county governments, development partners, communities, NGOs, and private sector actors engaged in WASH security, to inform data driven decision making, improve coherence and support adaptive management; leading the development and implementation of the project learning agenda, knowledge management strategy and adaptive management strategy based on program experience, evidence, and learning. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure CLA practices are applied across the project activities to adaptively deliver high-quality programming and continuously improve programming impact.
*Roles and Key Responsibilities:*

• Work with the MEAL Manager to ensure CLA is integrated in the overall project MEAL plan, system, and processes.
• Support project staff to foster a culture of collaboration and coordination with key stakeholders: county governments, development partners, communities, NGOs, and private sector actors engaged in WASH security.
• Organize/ ensure project participation in internal and external collaboration events and communities of practices to keep abreast of new developments, improve peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application.
• Lead the development and implementation of the project learning agenda, ensuring collaboration with all the key stakeholders.
• Design and oversee implementation of the project knowledge management strategy to systematically generate, synthesize, share, and apply promising practices, lessons learned and other results across all project activities.
• Guide generation and dissemination of audience specific learning and communication products such as publications, reports, learning briefs, photos, videos, case studies and success stories, through meetings, conferences, field exchange visits, social media, emails, and other online forums.
• Organize active and intentional periodic, internal, and external, knowledge exchange, learning and reflection events (including quarterly and evaluation reflection events, after action reviews and learning to action discussions) to identify and reflect on monitoring data, promising practices, success/failure factors, lessons learned, and recommendations to inform adaptive project management.
• Facilitate annual review and refinement of the project theory of change and logical framework to ensure that learning and contextual changes are incorporated into project implementation.
• Identify CLA-related staff and partner organization capacity and technical assistance needs and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation. Optimize partner participation and capacity development in the implementation of learning systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgement.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders and culturally diverse groups at all levels, internally and externally.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to contribute to written reports and generate learning products.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

*Required Languages-* Excellent verbal and written communication in English.
*Travel* – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% as needed.** Supervisory Responsibilities: Communications Officer Key Working Relationships:**
***Internal: STAWI Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, MEAL Manager, MEAL and Programming Team, Country Program MEAL and Communications Team, EARO and HQ MEAL and Communication Technical Advisors External:*** Community members, Partner staff, MEAL staff from peer agencies, County government staff** Basic Qualifications:**
***Education and Experience***

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International relations, Communication, Social science, Knowledge Management, Organizational learning, Organizational development, Monitoring and evaluation, Development studies or other relevant fields is required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of five years of work experience in project management, with at least three years’ experience implementing learning and adaptive management/ USAID Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) approaches in development projects.
• Substantial understanding of CLA framework and practices, evaluative thinking and adaptative management practices.
• Strong conceptual knowledge of theories of change, logic models and evidence mapping.
• Experience in designing learning, knowledge management and adaptive management strategies for moderately complex projects funded by large donors e.g., USAID.
• Demonstrated strategic communications expertise, including generating communication and learning products such as publications, reports, learning briefs, case studies and success stories, and organizing learning events for diverse audiences.
• Experience working with, fostering partnerships, and creating a conducive environment for learning with different stakeholders at various levels including local community members, national and county government personnel, private sector, NGO partners, international donor agencies and other stakeholders.
• Experience in facilitating meetings and events (both online and in-person), with a range of internal and external stakeholders that result in collaborative decision-making and agreed upon action items/ priorities.
• Experience engaging with and building the capacity of staff and partner organizations on learning and adaptive management.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), web conferencing applications, and information management systems.
• Experience using data visualization applications (e.g., PowerBi, Zoho reports).

MEAL Competencies

• Demonstrates basic knowledge and ability and, with guidance, can apply the MEAL in Design competency in common situations that present limited difficulties.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
What we offer:
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
*Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.
CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.
*By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.*

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.