Capacity Development Officer

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Position Overview

The Capacity Development Officer develops and applies their technical expertise to support Pact in delivering robust, responsive, and innovative programming. S/He work closely with other members of the Capacity Development & Innovation team and wider Programs team, to provide technical support to country offices and a portfolio of projects both in-person and remotely, lead and contribute to business development efforts, and drive thought leadership engagements. S/He provides technical support to Pact’s capacity development activities, ensures vibrant knowledge sharing within Pact’s Capacity Development & Innovation Community of Practice, and represents Pact’s competency in capacity development with key internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quality Programming:

• Support portfolio of projects through in-person and remote mentoring, training and knowledge transfer around key capacity development tools and skills. Develop new toolkits and skills development materials as needed.
• Recruit, train, and mentor new global Capacity Development staff members and consultants.
• Review and contribute to key technical documents such as specific tools (a project specific ITOCA, CD Strategy) and reports (e.g., annual report, workplan, assessment results).
• Design, plan and implement direct capacity development activities in coordination with project staff (e.g., ITOCA assessment, strategic planning, peer exchange workshop).
• Contribute to the development and implementation of Pact’s organizational strategy, the Programs Department work plan and budget, and the Capacity Development & Innovation team’s work plan and learning agenda.

1. Learning and Thought Leadership:

• Represent Pact at external events, including presentations and facilitation of conferences and other public forums, participation in donor meetings, and networking with other implementing organizations.
• Design, contribute to, and lead research and analysis and draft articles, blogs, and other materials that position Pact as a thought leader in the Capacity Development field.
• Support and lead the development of Capacity Development-focused tools, methodologies, manuals, and training materials.
• Maintain and nurture relations with practitioner networks to stay abreast of trends, evidence, and advances within the Capacity Development sector.
• Lead and manage the Capacity Development & Innovation Community of Practice
• Manage all aspects of the Capacity Development & Innovation space on Mosaic including limited layout and widget configurations, development, publishing, and maintenance of content, and managing space permissions.

1. Business Development:

• Engage in and lead project design for proposal development, including the use of appropriate CD approaches.
• Participate in and lead scoping trips, proposal design meetings, recruitment of partners and key personnel, responses to donor questions, and presentations to donors.
• Serve as a technical lead in CD-focused proposals and those proposals with a CD component, at times writing sections or entire technical proposals.
• Forge strategic partnerships for new project opportunities and gather intelligence on upcoming funding opportunities.

1. General:

• Promote a culture of inclusion, learning, support, diversity, innovation, and risk-taking within their team and across their portfolio.
• Frequent, and sometimes extended, travel to countries within the technical portfolio.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to Pact’s mission, such as in international development, international relations, regional studies, economics, business, environmental studies, or public health.
• Master’s degree and 5+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s and 7 years of experience.
• Experience working overseas.
• Ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with Pact DC and Country Office staff, donor organizations, and peer organizations.
• Experience in effective design of CD programs.
• In-depth knowledge in the CD sector and an understanding of the role of CD in Pact’s other impact and approach areas.
• Demonstrated training, mentoring and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrate strong analytical, design and writing skills.
• Experience supporting international donor-funded programs, particularly USAID and/or FDCO
• Strong skills in management and coordination of multiple activities and teams. Able to multi-task.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and cross-cultural skills.
• Highly motivated with strong attention to detail.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in at least one other regionally relevant language.
• Prior experience managing or supporting programs funded by major international development organizations, especially USAID.
• Ability to travel internationally frequently, sometimes at short notice.
• Experience with participatory design techniques such as HCD, design thinking and systemic design.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.
At Pact, we recognize your impact, offer you opportunities and support your total well-being. Our comprehensive benefit offerings may include healthcare, retirement (8.8% to 13% based on service tenure) and savings plans, paid time off, disability and life insurance programs, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections .
With the continuing impacts of COVID-19 around the world, we are taking action to protect the health and well-being of our colleagues and maintain the safety of the communities where we operate. Pact seeks an environment free from COVID-19 and prefers all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Attestation of vaccination status will be required for employment with Pact. Unvaccinated employees may be subject to additional health and safety requirements to include any federal, state and/or client restrictions.