Program Learning Director at DAI Kenya - Development Alternatives, Inc.

Background:

The USAID Kenya East Africa mission (USAID/KEA) manages a robust portfolio of development and humanitarian programs in both Kenya and Somalia. Countering the threat from and strengthening resilience to violent extremism (VE) within Kenya’s borders is a priority. Kenya NiWajibu Wetu (NIWETU) strengthens Kenyan communities’ and government institutions’ motivation and capacity to take the lead on countering violent extremism (CVE) by building the capacity of and fostering strong relationships among individuals, communities, and civil society and county and national government actors.

In addition to the outcomes of program activities, one of NIWETU’s great values is our contribution to learning and emerging good practice. This is important for internal program strategy and decisions, as well as in the wider policy space for partners, including USAID. NIWETU has a robust internal M&E system, a dedicated research and learning subcontractor, and a strong communications team. NIWETU also actively runs a Complexity Aware Planning (CAP) Cycle Framework, with regular inputs from across the team and outputs in the form of stand-alone products and applied learning into action.

This role is a key position on the NIWETU team, and will lead the integration of three key areas: (1) internal M&E (with NIWETU’s USAID approved Activity M&E Plan), (2) research and learning (including the CAP Cycle Framework and NIWETU’s Learning Agenda), and (3) communications (internal and external, according to NIWETU’s Communications Plan). Each of these component areas are currently well run by technical staff working with the above listed plans. However, we are looking for strategic leadership through integration of the component areas to maximize the opportunity space for applied learning and sharing. We expect the candidate to be responsive to USAID and our partner needs in order to run an integrated effort across these technical areas.

Responsibilities:

The Program Learning Director will report to the Chief of Party. S/he will:

• Provide direct supervision, overall support, guidance, and oversight to the three technical areas listed above, including management supervision of: M&E Officer, Communications Officer, and Research and Learning Director.
• Lead the integration of the AMEP with the CAP Cycle Framework, including all communications, in line with NIWETU’s Learning Agenda.
• Ensure high quality internal and external communications, in line with NIWETU’s communication plan, and provide deliverables and other products as required, particularly showcasing NIWETU’s learning.
• Offer technical assistance in the development, selection, and application of M&E processes, tools, methodologies, and action research.
• Oversee improved integration of activity-level M&E into program M&E and therefore project learning and activity cycles.
• Reinforce – and capture learning/success stories about – the reintegration of research into program activities.
• Develop quarterly success stories about the CAP Cycle Framework in practice.
• Oversee and advise colleagues on information management processes by reviewing data collection efforts, overall data reliability, consistency, and quality.
• Lead and manage project-level evaluation efforts, including the development of studies that examine higher-level outcomes and the utilization of external M&E resources. This include a specific early stage evaluation effort currently ongoing (Kamkunji Impact Evaluation).
• Help identify, analyze, and synthesize lessons learned from project implementation and facilitate the incorporation of those lessons into the activity development cycle.
• Collaborate with the USAID/KEA learning contractor and other third-party M&E services providers as needed.
• Train other staff, and local partners where required, on key learning, research, communication and M&E concepts, tools, and processes.
• Undertake, as required, visits to project locations to collect data and/or oversee data collection efforts.
• Responsible for developing checklists and overseeing/auditing data storage efforts.
• Significant line of communication to the Deputy Chief of Party and USAID/KEA
• Other responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in social sciences, statistics, evaluation science, or other related field.
• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience managing learning, communications and/or M&E for complex development activities required.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and lead multiple technical teams.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate monitoring, learning, evaluation, research and communications efforts across multiple technical offices, local stakeholders, and conflict-affected geographies.

Program Learning Director

Kenya NiWajibu Wetu (NIWETU)

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations, philanthropies, and host-country governments.

Background:

The USAID Kenya East Africa mission (USAID/KEA) manages a robust portfolio of development and humanitarian programs in both Kenya and Somalia. Countering the threat from and strengthening resilience to violent extremism (VE) within Kenya’s borders is a priority. Kenya NiWajibu Wetu (NIWETU) strengthens Kenyan communities’ and government institutions’ motivation and capacity to take the lead on countering violent extremism (CVE) by building the capacity of and fostering strong relationships among individuals, communities, and civil society and county and national government actors.

In addition to the outcomes of program activities, one of NIWETU’s great values is our contribution to learning and emerging good practice. This is important for internal program strategy and decisions, as well as in the wider policy space for partners, including USAID. NIWETU has a robust internal M&E system, a dedicated research and learning subcontractor, and a strong communications team. NIWETU also actively runs a Complexity Aware Planning (CAP) Cycle Framework, with regular inputs from across the team and outputs in the form of stand-alone products and applied learning into action.

This role is a key position on the NIWETU team, and will lead the integration of three key areas: (1) internal M&E (with NIWETU’s USAID approved Activity M&E Plan), (2) research and learning (including the CAP Cycle Framework and NIWETU’s Learning Agenda), and (3) communications (internal and external, according to NIWETU’s Communications Plan). Each of these component areas are currently well run by technical staff working with the above listed plans. However, we are looking for strategic leadership through integration of the component areas to maximize the opportunity space for applied learning and sharing. We expect the candidate to be responsive to USAID and our partner needs in order to run an integrated effort across these technical areas.

Responsibilities:

The Program Learning Director will report to the Chief of Party. S/he will:

• Provide direct supervision, overall support, guidance, and oversight to the three technical areas listed above, including management supervision of: M&E Officer, Communications Officer, and Research and Learning Director.
• Lead the integration of the AMEP with the CAP Cycle Framework, including all communications, in line with NIWETU’s Learning Agenda.
• Ensure high quality internal and external communications, in line with NIWETU’s communication plan, and provide deliverables and other products as required, particularly showcasing NIWETU’s learning.
• Offer technical assistance in the development, selection, and application of M&E processes, tools, methodologies, and action research.
• Oversee improved integration of activity-level M&E into program M&E and therefore project learning and activity cycles.
• Reinforce – and capture learning/success stories about – the reintegration of research into program activities.
• Develop quarterly success stories about the CAP Cycle Framework in practice.
• Oversee and advise colleagues on information management processes by reviewing data collection efforts, overall data reliability, consistency, and quality.
• Lead and manage project-level evaluation efforts, including the development of studies that examine higher-level outcomes and the utilization of external M&E resources. This include a specific early stage evaluation effort currently ongoing (Kamkunji Impact Evaluation).
• Help identify, analyze, and synthesize lessons learned from project implementation and facilitate the incorporation of those lessons into the activity development cycle.
• Collaborate with the USAID/KEA learning contractor and other third-party M&E services providers as needed.
• Train other staff, and local partners where required, on key learning, research, communication and M&E concepts, tools, and processes.
• Undertake, as required, visits to project locations to collect data and/or oversee data collection efforts.

· Responsible for developing checklists and overseeing/auditing data storage efforts.

• Significant line of communication to the Deputy Chief of Party and USAID/KEA.
• Other responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in social sciences, statistics, evaluation science, or other related field.
• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience managing learning, communications and/or M&E for complex development activities required.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and lead multiple technical teams.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate monitoring, learning, evaluation, research and communications efforts across multiple technical offices, local stakeholders, and conflict-affected geographies.