Capacity Development Officer

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Programs – Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Position Overview

The Capacity Development (CD) Officer develops and applies their technical expertise to support Pact in delivering robust, responsive, and innovative programming. They 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. The CD Officer provides technical support to Pact’s capacity development activities, ensures vibrant knowledge sharing within Pact’s Capacity Development & Innovation Community of Practice, and represent Pact’s competency in capacity development with key internal and external stakeholders. The CD Officer manages Interns in addition to providing targeted support to a technical portfolio.

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 to perform successfully.

Basic Requirements

• MA and at least four (4) years of relevant experience or BA and at least six (6) years of relevant experience in international development or a related field.
• 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 in developing e-learning curriculum, including using webinars, writing scripts, and using social media for learner exchanges

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.