Strategic Learning and Innovation Advisor (SLIA), Somalia Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA), EMERGE Program at World Vision Kenya

Job Description:

World Vision seeks a Strategic Learning & Innovation Advisor (SLIA) 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 $76 million. 

The SLIA will oversee research, learning and the application of information to strengthen the program design, including layering, sequencing and integration of technical approaches as well as identifying, designing, piloting, refining, scaling new methods, partnerships and technologies to support recipients of program interventions to graduate and sustain graduation.  S/he will support the technical advisors to identify research topics, design research, recruit learning partners/collaborators, conduct research and apply research to improve technical approaches.  The position-holder will track the application of refinements of new approaches and ensure that each activity includes active, intentional and adaptive mechanisms within and across components.  

S/he will partner with EMERGE M&E to put in place data-gathering mechanisms, mobilize program-generated data and external research/information to articulate the program’s approach and develop and test hypothesis. The SLIA will champion Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation principles, ensuring they are applied to program design, refinement and iteration, including but not limited to scenario planning around economic graduation and cohort management, Theory of Change (ToC) reviews, and on-going-pause and reflect-opportunities.  S/he will lead the planning of all EMERGE workshops, designing engaging programs which mobilize the insights and opinions of multiple stakeholders.  The SLIA 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. Support SomReP Annual Resilience Measurement and integrate learning to inform program Theory of Change and identify new practices and partnerships.

The SLIA will serve as the focal point with the EMERGE learning partner, Tulane University, leading the co-creation of the learning and research agenda, design of specific studies, mobilization of mechanisms and technologies of data capture/analysis, recruitment and training of local researches, planning and implementation of studies, drafting/revision of knowledge products and dissemination via various forums.  S/he will identify learning collaborators and develop way-of-working to mobilize different expertise to strengthen research agenda.  S/he will lead communications for the consortium, ensuring the development of relevant, compelling marketing, media and knowledge product development;

They will serve a focal point with the Somali Response Innovation lab, recommending challenges, identifying solution-providers, and collaborating to pilot new approaches.  S/he will represent the consortium at different research/learning forums. S/he will work closely with the 2nd RFSA in Somalia to capture lessons learned, share assessment data and ensure adaptive management for EMERGE.   

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Learning and Knowledge Management 

•  Ensure that the Somalia program 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 program implementation and the work done by the Learning partners 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 program 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 recruitedd as per the organogram.
•  Staff are motivated and well equipped to accomplish their tasks.
• Perform other duties as required  
•  Smooth running of the program activities.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE
Required Professional Experience: 

• An advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, biostatistics; public health, nutrition, applied sociology, anthropology, or other relevant subject plus a minimum seven years of relevant work experience with multi-sectoral programs and 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 and complex grants e.g. USAID, BHA, WFP, EU 
• 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.

Required Education, training, license, registration, and certification:  

• An advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, biostatistics; public health, nutrition, applied sociology, anthropology, or other relevant subject. 
• 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.  
• Professional licenses, as required in the field and by the donor.

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 any CLA framework with resilience or food security programs, especially in fragile contexts.
• 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.

Language Requirements    

• Fluency in English.  Fluency in conversational Somali and/or Arabic will be an added advantage.