Strategic Learning Advisor (SLA), Somalia Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) at World Vision Kenya

Job Description:

• World Vision seeks a Strategic Learning Advisor (SLA) for the proposed USAID-funded Somalia Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA). The goal of the Activity is to improve and maintain the food security of extremely poor, socially marginalized populations in IDP settlements and surrounding host communities despite shocks and stresses. This activity is a 5-year program worth approximately $72 million.  
• Given the significant number of humanitarian and development activities planned and ongoing in the targeted geographic area, the SLA is expected to dedicate significant time and expertise to enhancing coordination, complementarity and coherence of activities involving the target population(s), including toward the improvement of linkages across the HDP nexus. The SLA will work closely with all staff to ensure principles of collaboration, learning and adapting (CLA) are applied, including but not limited to scenario planning, TOC use and refinement, and on-going pause-and-reflect opportunities. S/he will ensure the activity includes active, intentional, and adaptive learning within and across components of the graduation approach and will play a critical role in incorporating refinement activities and learning into implementation. The SLA will improve community engagement, peer-to-peer learning, knowledge capture, sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, and evidence and data utilization in support of adaptive management both within and beyond the Contextualization Period. 
• With an emphasis on collaboration, learning, and adaptation, the SLA will foster knowledge management, capacity strengthening and using data for decision making. The SLA will work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation(M&E) Advisor and the M&E team.  
• The SLA position preference is to be based in Somalia but there is an option to be based in Nairobi, Kenya with 50% travel to Somalia. The SLA will report to the Chief of Party of the RFSA. 

Major Job Responsibilities

Learning and Knowledge Management 

• Ensure that the Somalia RFSA includes active, intentional, and adaptive learning within and across interventions, and play a critical role in incorporating refinement activities and learning into implementation.
• Oversee the timely accomplishment of activities described in the learning agenda according to proposal and donor requirements.
• Improve/ promote peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, and evidence and data utilization in support of adaptive management both within and beyond initial refinement.
• Design and facilitate processes for learning and adaptation  
• Successful implementation of research and learning activities.
• Research and learning activities achieved on time and on budget, as per the grant agreement.
• Reliable data available to leadership in order to make informed decisions that improve the program.
• Strong partner relationships built resulting in smooth implementation of program activities.
• Engagement in collaboration, learning and adaptation processes strengthened.
• Establishment and maintenance of project knowledge management platform in coordination with the learning partner

Coordination

• Ensure appropriate and continued coordination and joint-planning with the HDP nexus, host-government initiatives, and private sector engagement.
• Strong donor and partner relationships built for smooth implementation of program activities.

Research studies

• Provide technical leadership with regards to research studies and active learning feedback loops.    
• Linkages between the Somalia RFSA implementation and the work done by the Learning partners were enhanced.

Dissemination of Learning

• Lead the development of iterative learning and adaptation processes, structures and practices such as pause and reflect sessions or technical working group meetings of Somalia RFSA staff and stakeholders at various levels.  
• Key learnings well documented and disseminated through presentations, discussion panels, and publications in internationally reputable journals, and resulting adaptation or mainstreamed within ongoing implementation.

Staff Management

• Supervise staff that report directly to this position. 
• Conduct regular coaching and implement the Performance Development Management system.
• All required Learning Staff are filled as per the organogram of the RFSA. 
• Staff are motivated and well-equipped to accomplish their tasks.
• Perform other duties as required 
• Smooth running of the program activities.

Required Education, Professional Experience the Role

• An advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, biostatistics; public health, nutrition, applied sociology, anthropology, or other relevant subject.
• A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience with multi-sectoral programs.
• At least five years of which must be in the Horn of Africa
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating learning and knowledge-sharing processes, in establishing and managing dynamic feedback systems to capture experiential learning and unintended consequences, leading participatory learning and action, and facilitating collaborative problem-solving.
• Previous experience in leading the learning component in a large USAID grant including Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA), Development Food Security Activity (DFSA), Development Food Assistance Programs (DFAP)s, Multi-Year Assistance Programs (MYAP)s and/or Development Assistance Programs (DAP)s.
• Familiarity with incorporating gender and social inclusion (GESI) into CLA activities is required, as demonstrated by at least two years of senior-level experience working on projects that addressed GESI constraints.
• Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative field research, and experience working closely with universities and/or other research institutions.
• Strong management and interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and other language(s)
• Mentoring and facilitation skills,
• The ability to network and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders,
• Field experience in low-resource environments.
• Demonstrated communication, creative problem-solving, and management skills.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications   

• Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and results synthesis, evaluation and presentation of data analysis for various audiences (policy makers, program managers, field staff, and/or government and community stakeholders).
• Demonstrated experience implementing USAID’s CLA framework with resilience or food security programs, especially in fragile contexts.
• Record of successful submissions to USAID’s CLA case competition.
• Ability to use data analysis software such as SPSS, STATA, Epi Info, CommCare, GIS software, etc.
• Experience working with Somali communities.
• Experience in managing inter-agency consortiums is preferred. 
• Conversational Somali and/or Arabic is preferred.

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement  

• Mandatory travels to implementation sites and regional, global meetings as required.
• Travels to the United States WVUS Washington, DC Office to meet with donors and other stakeholders.  
• Position preference is to be based in Somalia but there is an option to be based in Nairobi with 50% travel to Somalia.

Application Deadline: 22nd February 2024