Strategic Learning Lead –Regional Resilience Activity, Sahel

Job Title: Strategic Learning Lead –Regional Resilience Activity, Sahel

Reports to: Chief of Party

Department: Program

Salary Grade: 10

Note: This position is dependent upon funding, as well as the donor’s approval of the proposed Chief of Party.

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.

Job Summary:

CRS is seeking a Strategic Learning Lead (SLL) for the anticipated 5-year USAID Regional Resilience Activity in the Sahel project. The SLL will promote a culture of coordination, collaboration and continuous learning across all project activities. The SLL will work closely with the Technical Advisers and Monitoring and Evaluation Lead to include active, intentional, and adaptive learning exercises within and across its multi-sectoral activities and to improve peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, evidence and data utilization, and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA). The SLL will develop and manage a system that captures, analyzes and disseminates learning, take the lead in collecting best practices and lessons learned and organize relevant reviews of program activities. In addition, the SLL will ensure robust stakeholder coordination with stakeholders (USAID, government partners, consortium partners, multilateral organizations and private sector actors, etc).

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize and implement an appropriate system that captures, analyzes, exploits and disseminates learning elements useful for the RFSA program.
• Take the lead in collecting best practices and lessons learned on CRS’ achievements and organize relevant reviews of program activities on the team level.
• Leverage lessons learned, best practices, program data, evaluations, and other information to generate donor communication pieces, proposal annexes, success stories, case studies and other high-quality, results-based documentation.
• Promote an evidence-based results approach for disseminating best practices.
• Ensure robust stakeholder coordination by activity staff with local partners, USG, host country government, international donors, multilateral organizations and private sector investments.
• Contribute to the capacity building efforts of project staff, in consultation with the HR department.
• Provide mentoring to CRS and partner RFSA staff to increase capacity and to achieve annual performance and development plans.
• Work with MEAL and IT staff to maximize the value and utility of ICT4D in MEAL initiatives.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Development, Communication, Monitoring and Evaluation, or Statistics required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of MEAL.
• Experience in managing MEAL for moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

Required Languages – French and English fluency, including excellent oral and written skills, required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Project MEAL staff

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Program team, Head of Programs, MEAL Coordinator, Finance Manager, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ based Project Support teams

External: Partner MEAL staff; M&E USAID USAID, Other USAID Implementing Partner staff

***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. Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.