Position Title: Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) Adviser for the USAID funded Kenya Feed the Future (FTR) Activity
**About the role:**Concern Worldwide seeks a CLA Adviser for an anticipated USAID Feed the Future opportunity in Kenya (contingent on funding).
This is a new role based in Nairobi with frequent visits to project areas with a salary Grade 4 €44,133-€49,038. This position and the start date is contingent upon award of the USAID grant.
Concern Worldwide is leading a Consortium, which intends to implement the anticipated five-year USAID Feed the Future-funded Scaling Inclusive Food Systems program subject to award of the grant by USAID. The program will accelerate inclusive and equitable agriculture-led economic growth for increased incomes and food security, improved nutrition for women and children, reduced poverty, and strengthening the resilience of marginalized communities and systems.
The multi-year project, that will be implemented in multiple counties will scale up strategic and sustainable approaches by the civil society, private and public sector to improve shock responsiveness, risk mitigation and economic well-being of vulnerable groups while integrating women and adolescent girls empowerment; youth unemployment; access to water and sanitation; climate change adaptation; peace building and social cohesion among other cross-cutting issues.
Your purpose:
You will report to the Chief of Party, and you will line manage the MEAL Manager. You will also work closely with the Deputy Chief of Party, Head of Finance, consortium members and other stakeholders. The CLA Adviser will be responsible for the overall monitoring, evaluation, learning and accountability programme cycle management. Learning will be critical to the success of the programme and leadership skills are required to ensure that the programme team are accountable for the successful management of the programme and delivering results. The CLA Adviser will adhere to Concern’s programme quality standards and ensure compliance with Concern and donor MEAL requirements. S/he will maintain positive and productive relationships with the donor and local and international partner organizations throughout the co-creation process and programme lifecycle. The successful candidate should possess substantial experience in managing MEAL on complex, multi-year USAID or other international donor-funded programmes. A priority for the CLA Adviser role extends to capacity building and knowledge transfer to high performing Kenyan team members with a view to empowering their success during the life of the project.
You will be responsible for:
- Provide overall management, strategic direction, and technical leadership for programme MEAL to achieve expected programme results within budget and time-frame
- Serve as principal liaison to the COP on learning, ensuring high levels of coordination and maintaining productive working relations, while engaging with and nurturing relationships with all key stakeholders (partner organizations, local government, civil society, etc.) on MEAL and programmatic matters related to the programme.
- Liaise with USAID partners and other donors, as well as implementing partners and stakeholders, to ensure a collaborative shared learning model which is responsive to their demands.
- Manage the relationship on MEAL between all consortium partners and ensure partner MEAL activities are adhering to the agreed workplan and budget.
- Represent the programme in all MEAL technical, policy, and programmatic fora at all levels (regional, national, and international)
- Lead the MEAL team (e.g. technical, programme, finance, and operational staff) to ensure tasks, deliverables, and responsibilities are met.
- Provide leadership and oversee MEAL staff management including hiring, supervising, and mentoring programme staff to achieve programme goals and develop national partner MEAL capacity.
- Support quality control for MEAL deliverables and fulfil all donor and Concern Worldwide reporting requirements, including the production of timely and accurate reports.
- Direct preparation of MEAL annual work plans, learning products, review programme activities and ensure learning is integrated, and other MEAL-related communication and reporting materials.
- Oversee and contribute directly to production of communications products, including learning notes, reports, articles, videos, etc. Ensure products are well packaged for intended audiences
- Working with Communications, oversee proactive outreach through social media channels and ensure most effective methods to reach intended audiences are being effectively employed
- Oversee use of data and analytics to evaluate program outreach and engagement with wider audiences
- Using an adaptive management approach, track performance-monitoring analysis and apply course correction in collaboration with the COP and DCOP. Responsible for ensuring systematized use of data into learning systems to demonstrate data-driven decision-making.
- Collaborate with program management unit to ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations as well as Concern policies and practices.
- Support regular communication and nurture collaborative relationships with all programme partners and Concern head offices
- Working with intervention teams, identify possibilities for cross-program partnerships and collaboration throughout the sector
- Lead the MEAL team to work collaboratively with the wider programme team, including advocacy, partners, and others, to ensure cross learning and input into new programme design based and delivery of the Country Strategic Plan.
- Ensure that there is a robust Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) Improvement plan in place for the consortium, along with an accessible and inclusive Complaints Response Mechanism (CRM).
Accountability
- Promote and ensure compliance with the CHS commitments and quality criteria
- Ensure that all staff are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability, safeguarding and Concern's CRM and lead on ensuring that information about Concern's commitments on accountability and safeguarding are disseminated among programme participants and communities
- Ensure that the CRM is functional, effectively implemented and accessible in all programme locations, enabling safe reporting of both programmatic and sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns
- Ensure that complaints are welcomed, managed and responded to in a timely, fair and appropriate manner; ensure that sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns, are handled with utmost confidentiality and that the safety of the complainants and those affected is prioritised at all stages.
Your skills and experience will include:
Essential:
- A Master’s degree (equivalent) or higher in economics, research methodologies, statistical analysis, food security, international development, or another relevant field.
- A minimum of 7 years’ work experience in a USAID CLA or MEAL management position; preferably 10 years or more, with progressive responsibilities in a field related to the successful implementation of the programme, such as food security, nutrition or resilience programmes
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience managing complex multisector data, preferably for USAID awards.
- A minimum of 5 years’ staff management experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in an environment conducive to learning and development. Experience coaching senior programme staff.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities, including MEAL, technical, management, and evaluation expertise for complex programmes in resource-constrained countries.
- Strong communication skills, including both written and oral presentation skills; proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse public and private partners.
- Experience collaborating and coordinating with local and national host government agencies and international agencies and aligning programme activities and results with strategies.
- Knowledge of Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols
- Fluency in written and spoken English
We would also like
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity.
- Good sense of humour.
- Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and participation.
- Excellent communication skills
- Demonstrated experience in team building and working in a participatory manner.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to working in a changing environment
To Apply:
All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date. CVs should be no more than 4 pages in length.
All candidates who are short-listed for a first-round interview will be notified via email after the application deadline.
Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.
How to apply
All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net/jobs/international/vacancy/collaborating-learning-and-adapting-adviser-1880-nairobi/1898/description/