Result of Service

The expected outcomes of this L&D project:

• Identification of priority substantive, technical and soft skills learning and development needs for ECA staff, which will contribute to ECA positioning itself as innovative and agile think tank as well as employer of choice in Africa.
• Identification of cross-cutting development interests of staff
• Identification of diversity programs with an emphasis on gender parity, disability inclusion and anti-racism – for promoting inclusion and utilization of the full potential of all staff
• 2024-2025 Learning Policy formulated in a policy document, evolving from the previous strategy document
• Development of the structure and content of the 2024 learning catalogue which provides relevant professional development and growth opportunities for ECA staff as steppingstone for career progression.
• Collaboration with the HR teams on preparing an innovative online format and flow for the catalogue

Work Location

Addis Ababa; Blended (~60% on site, ~40% remote)

Expected duration

2 months

Duties and Responsibilities

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa, informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by five new strategic directions, which include advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solutions to the continent.

To achieve positioning as an innovative solution-oriented thinktank, ECA needs to maintain momentum as a dynamic learning organization, ensuring that staff is equipped with the knowledge and skills to achieve the organization’s mandate. Strategic learning and development planning are essential for this aim.

The Organizational Development Unit (ODU) operates under the Chief of Human Resources. The unit is tasked to spearhead a comprehensive Learning Needs Assessment in preparation for ECA 2024-2025 training planning and the timely release of the corresponding 2 years’ learning policy and 2024 L&D virtual catalogue. The consultant will play a key role for achieving the timely completion of this project. The LNA process will be based on the utilization of four methodologies, involving the analysis of online survey findings, small group interviews with Director-level leaders, face-to-face and virtual focus groups across staff categories and a Socratic walk with representatives of the different divisions.

Detailed requirements are;

Deliverable 1: One month from start date, 40% of total remuneration

• Week 1: hold planning and strategy discussion meeting with ECA HR representatives to conceptualize the three-track approach (short, medium, long-term). Prepare and launch concise and focused online survey in collaboration with ODU colleagues. Prepare questions for focus groups, prepare questions for small group interviews with Directors and a question guide for the Socratic (10 minutes’) walks with division representatives. In collaboration with ODU colleagues, schedule interviews with the Directors via contacting them directly and/or contacting them through their respective assistants. Schedule focus group and Socratic walks with logistical and planning support of ODU colleagues.

• Weeks 2-3: Monitor survey participation and prepare follow up broadcast messages. Conduct small group interviews with Directors and 70% of focus group sessions. Complete a minimum of 12 Socratic walks in Addis Ababa and report back on all the preliminary data obtained. Work with representatives of the SRO offices away from Addis Ababa to obtain Socratic walk data from SRO offices (2 per SRO office).

• Week 4: Conduct the remaining 30% of focus group discussions and Socratic walks in Addis Ababa Close the online survey, analyze the data, provide preliminary bullet point report on key findings so far

Deliverable 2 Three weeks from end of deliverable 1, 45% of total remuneration

• Obtain Socratic walk data from the four SRO offices (via their representatives) and IDEP with logistical support of the ODU team.
• Analyse the data from all methodologies and report back in detail on the findings.
• Hold brainstorming discussion with HR representatives on how to link the survey data with the three-track approach (short, medium and long-term)
• Clearly identify strategic priorities and collaborate with Chiefs HR & ODU and the ODU team on structuring and formulating the L&D strategy
• Propose the structure and content for the 2024 L&D catalogue
• Discussion of L&D Strategy and catalogue with the ODU Team and Learning and Capacity Development Committee of ECA
• Collaborate with ODU & SIMU on the preparation of the online catalogue.
Deliverable 3: One week from end of deliverable 2 ( Total 2 months), 15% of total remuneration
• Presentation of LNA findings and proposed strategy to the LCDC
• Integration of feedback from LCDC members
• Finalization of report and strategy following LCDC presentation

Qualifications/special skills

Post-graduate degree related to the field of adult education.
• Five or more years of experience with evaluating learning and development needs in international settings
• Five or more years of experience with UN or other international non-profit organizations,
• Proven capacity to analyse data and prepare reports outlining LNA findings and recommendations.
• Proven interviewing, focus group facilitation, data analysis and report writing skills
• Demonstrated skills for using virtual communication platforms such as Zoom or Teams.
• Proficient with recording technology for virtual dialogue processes.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the Secretariat. For this assignment, fluency in English is required working knowledge in French is desirable.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.