Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Advisor, USAID/Liberia Data, Evaluation, Learning and Technical Assistance (DELTA) Activity, Liberia

Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Proposal Objective:

SI is pursuing an anticipated multi-million dollar five-year USAID-funded Liberia Data, Evaluation, Learning and Technical Assistance (DELTA) Activity with the goal to provide an innovative degree of analytical and advisory services to USAID/Liberia’s Office of Program and Project Development (PPD) and Development Objective (DO) teams in support of the Mission’s project design, performance monitoring and evaluation, and operational learning and adapting. The project’s objectives will assist the Mission in its ability to:

1. identify the lessons learned from past experience;
2. better understand the complex Liberian development context (including institutional norms and behaviors affecting project results) through advanced research, surveys, data collection and analysis; and
3. adapt its programs to this information and analysis.

The project will establish a support unit in Monrovia to assist the Mission in strengthening its management of key aspects of the programming cycle, specifically strategic planning, project design, performance monitoring and evaluation, and institutionalized learning and adaptation.

Position Description:

Social Impact is seeking a Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Advisor to serve in a leadership role for DELTA, managing all aspects related to CLA. He or she will lead DELTA’s overarching strategy for CLA and ensure effective integration between CLA and M&E activities. The CLA Advisor will work closely with USAID to optimize the use of knowledge sharing and improve strategic learning processes within the Mission as well as with implementing partners and Liberian government stakeholders. In addition, the CLA Advisor will oversee the assembling, synthesis and communication of information to mission staff and IPs, as well as the organization of knowledge sharing events, including working with USAID’s Communities of Practice (CoPs). This is a full-time position to be based in Monrovia for the duration of the five-year period of performance, contingent upon contract award.

Responsibilities:

• Develop resources to create, capture, organize, translate, share, and apply knowledge to improve USAID Liberia’s programs.
• Build capacity of Mission and IPs for adapting to new learning and changes in context through effective approaches
• Coordinate knowledge capturing, sharing and strategic learning to speed innovation and bring new innovations to the Mission’s programmatic work in country.
• Assist the Mission in stakeholder engagement and cross-sector learning with other donors, government and academic institutions, the Government of Liberia and implementing partners.
• Review, assess and strengthen systems and processes that promote and facilitate efficient learning and knowledge-sharing.
• Align learning agendas, knowledge gaps and DELTA research activities.
• Design research in support of USAID programming needs, using new and innovative data collection methods.
• Build relationships with other donors, academic institutions and Government of Liberia institutions to collect, categorize and manage new relevant research.
• Track best practices in knowledge management and adult learning to incorporate new or improved learning tools and approaches into the overall Mission’s CLA program in collaboration with the CLA Coordinator.
• As assigned, gather and disseminate knowledge and information on best practices for high-priority, cross-cutting Mission activities, such as human and institutional capacity development, youth development/empowerment and opportunity, and gender equality.
• Assume a leadership role in identifying critical knowledge gaps and needs related to key strategic risks and assumptions identified in the Mission’s CDCS, including political dynamics and commitment in relation to Liberia’s development policies and goals.
• Lead program planning analysis and coordinate/oversee research, planning, higher level contextual analysis, and other investigations prioritized in the Mission’s CLA Agenda. This would further entail assisting USAID staff with planning future programs and activities.
• Work with the COP, DCOP and other Senior Advisors to ensure that monitoring, evaluation and learning information is shared and fully utilized through knowledge sharing and strategic learning processes.
• Providing strategic leadership for the growth of KMP, in collaboration with the DELTA Team.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in field related to organizational learning or development assistance such as public, business, or development administration; knowledge management; political science; economics or development studies.
• Minimum of eight years of demonstrated experience in strategic planning; monitoring and evaluation; project design; facilitation of learning; and knowledge management, including experience in applying learning to improve international development programs and systems change for adaptive management of development organizations or agencies.
• Previous experience supporting USAID Missions in a similar capacity.
• Prior work experience in Liberia or other West African countries required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID Evaluation Policy, CLA Framework, J2SR and other initiatives.
• Experience working with USAID and other U.S. government programs preferred.
• Computer literate and possess superior oral and written communications skills.
• Verbal and written fluency in English (ILR level 4).