Advisor Sr – Learning

Job Summary:
You will provide leadership in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, to advance the design and delivery of high-quality professional development programs across OverOps. These programs support staff in maximizing their potential and support the diversifying of profiles in leadership positions, in line with our REDI objectives and Workforce Planning Initiatives. Your expertise, leadership, and influence will be key to understanding the needs across Global OverOps departments and designing programs and guidance which meet those needs. Working in partnership with members of the OverOps Leadership Team and GPR colleagues, you will be a thought leader in the field of professional development, driving forward these initiatives. The Senior Advisor will work closely with country, regional, and headquarters teams to identify opportunities for enhancement of lea rning materials, directly facilitating the delivery of the content or in coaching SMEs to deliver the content effectively.
Job Responsibilities, General:

• Provide strategic insight and direction to ensure that our programs remain grounded in the work that we deliver and meet the expectations of regional leadership teams and Global OverOps teams.
• Lead the drive towards technical excellence and professional quality throughout the leadership and professional development programs being delivered in OverOps.
• Lead or co-lead the design and content of OO development programs, providing SMEs with guidance on adult learning approaches and good practices.
• Ensure that program feedback is acted on so that we learn, adapt and remain responsive to the needs of our staff.

OverOps Capabilities Framework

• Provide guidance to team members as needed for the development and prioritization of this workstream.
• Ensure that the capabilities framework guides the other workstreams as appropriate.

OverOps Leadership Professional Development Opportunities

• Determine the strategic direction of this initiative going forward based on learning from previous rounds
• Coordinate with SMEs to provide relevant and applicable learning opportunities which support our staff to excel in their roles

Onboarding Initiatives

• Provide leadership on the OverOps Onboarding initiatives (including rolling onboarding sessions, onboarding checklists and other resources)
• Determine a communications strategy to support awareness and feedback of the available resources

Program Development

• Continuously look at ongoing and needed OO-specific initiatives and evolve to meet changing needs
• Explore job specific needs and development (e.g., HOPs)

Career Opportunities and Engagement

• In coordination with GPR, determine a strategy to ensure that staff across Global OO are aware of opportunities across the organization for advancement and understand needed skills and experience
• Learn from the career sessions pilot of FY22

Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in international development or relevant social science, required. Good knowledge of related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Minimum of ten years of work experience in leading, implementing and supporting programs with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO.
• Experience working in at least one or multiple Senior Management Team roles overseas
• Deep understanding and application of adult learning principles.
• Demonstrated experience to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and informal methods.
• Proficient in MS Office, Web Conferencing Applications and strong understanding of information and budget management systems and knowledge-sharing networks.
• Passionate about the role of increasing the diversity in our leadership positions.

Personal Skills

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including research publications.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills.
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented.

Required/Desired Foreign Language

• Excellent written and spoken English is required.
• Good knowledge of French is preferred given the initiatives taking place in the WARO region.
• Spanish or Arabic bonus.

Travel Required
Until COVID precautions are removed, there are currently no travel requirements. It is expected that once regular travel is allowed, the candidate should expect to travel 10% of their time.

*Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
*CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer*.

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.