Learning Specialist (Senior)– India, USAID/ Accelerating the U.S.-India Partnership Platform

Position Description

EnCompass LLC seeks (Senior) Learning Specialist candidates for an anticipated five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Accelerating the U.S.-India Partnership Platform (APP) Activity to be based in New Delhi, India. The APP Activity will support USAID/India staff and stakeholders to be more efficient, effective, transparent and skilled in achieving planned development outcomes by providing design, monitoring, evaluation, assessment, and learning, and organizational development services as well as integrating collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) throughout the design and implementation of USAID/India’s activities.

The (Senior) Learning Specialist will lead and manage learning, adaptive management and performance management activities. The (Senior) Learning Specialist will lead all Country Development Cooperation (CDCS) learning priorities support as requested, including design, facilitation, research, analysis and preparation of key analytical work, as well as leading consultants carrying out such tasks. They will assist USAID/India to continue operationalizing the CDCS, including supporting adaptive management and performance management aspects of the CDCS. They will work with the Program Office and the technical teams to continue to operationalize the PMP and support technical teams in the preparation of learning agendas in line with the current CDCS.

The position will be full-time and based in New Delhi, with travel throughout the country. Indian citizens are encouraged to apply.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

• Support design and delivery of training on MEL to Mission staff and partners, as appropriate, around adaptive management and Collaborating, Learning and Adopting (CLA) concepts and practice. This individual will co-lead the Organizational Development activities.
• Design of projects, such as: systems and stakeholder mapping; drafting of learning questions/learning agenda; contributing to utilization-focused MEL plan development; establishing process for ongoing learning and continuous improvement.
• Facilitation of strategic planning, learning events, team retreats, workshops, or other kinds of convenings.
• Development and implementation of knowledge management systems and approaches.
• Management consulting support including but not limited to strategic planning, change management, and process improvement.
• Support selection of innovative approaches for implementation and learning in activities, including in CLA, problem-driven iterative adaptation, continuous quality improvement, action learning, appreciative inquiry, etc.
• Improve Institutional and staff capacity for integrated activity design and implementation of essential elements of quality programming.
• Improve coordination and collaboration between Implementing Partners, donor community, Government ministries at the central and state level and other stakeholders around common development goals.
• Lead stakeholder engagement initiatives, peer-to-peer learning events and communities of practice, and other capacity strengthening initiatives to support enhanced collaboration and adaptive management practices among various activities and sectors.
• Support the strategic learning and capacity development efforts in the Mission and provide strategic oversight, technical guidance and advice, review of any technical documents/content, and provide surge support as necessary to the Mission.
• Lead and support adaptive management, external stakeholder engagement, stakeholder capacity strengthening design and implementation for identified work plan priority activities.
• Support and undertake peer to peer learning events, workshops and platforms, tools and resource formation and dissemination, research and data-collection, case study initiatives and others.
• Develop stakeholder-informed tools and resources to support Adaptive Management practices by the Mission staff and IPs for Mission activities.
• Contribute to cross-consortium learning as needed
• Employ strong CLA practices throughout the work

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ experience; or Master’s degree and 8 years’ experience in communication, action learning and knowledge management, a strong background in monitoring and evaluation.

Experience and Skills

• Understanding of knowledge management as it relates to USAID programs an asset
• Prior experience in India and/or the region required
• Strong communication, supervision, and management skills required
• Demonstrated experience leading adaptive management, performance management, and/or M&E
• Strong familiarity with USAID’s CLA practices; familiarity with USAID’s Evaluation Policy preferred
• Fluency in written and spoken English is preferred
• Citizens of India are strongly encouraged to apply

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.

For US based positions: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.