Overview

Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Strategic Learning Lead, Madagascar RFSA

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Strategic Learning Lead for an upcoming Resilience Food Security Activity funded by USAID. The program will improve and sustain the food and nutrition security of vulnerable populations through multi-year resilience food and nutrition security activities in a to-be-determined region of Madagascar. These activities will work at the individual, household, community, and institutional levels to address the underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition and strengthen transformative opportunities.

The Strategic Learning Lead will work closely with both technical units and M&E staff to ensure coordination, collaboration and learning across all interventions and sectors. They will play a critical role in translating formative and implementation research findings into an evidence-based activity design, as well as improving peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, data utilization, and collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA). The program is anticipated to start in 2024 and this position will be based in Madagascar.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the activity team includes active, intentional, and adaptive learning exercises within and across its multi-sectoral activities.
• Ensure robust stakeholder coordination by activity staff with entities including local partners, US government entities, host country government, international donors, multilateral organizations and private sector investments.
• Improve peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, evidence and data utilization, and collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA).
• Collaborate closely with the M&E Senior Advisor to ensure quality control, provide input into the development of the PMP, and alignment between performance monitoring efforts and the strategic information needs of the project and the donor.
• Oversee, and as needed develop and implement the knowledge management and communications functions of the project, ensuring overall quality control and responsiveness of these efforts to the technical teams’ needs, and facilitating integration of these efforts throughout the project.
• Work closely with project leaders and partners to plan, design, and or/manage specific CLA strategies and activities, such as supporting incorporation of technical, contextual, and experiential learning into technical strategies, interventions, and processes.
• Leverage a mix of informational sources and research methods – project M&E data, observations from staff and partners, primary and secondary market research – to (i) analyze project progress towards goals and learning objectives, (ii) communicate those findings externally (e.g. to donor, external partners) and internally (e.g. to project staff), and (iii) develop a learning agenda for all the project and apply that learning into improved work planning and project activities.
• Participate in regular senior management planning meetings and recommend how activities should be adapted to incorporate learnings across associate awards.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in evaluation, development studies, economics, statistics, or relevant field is required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience managing the M&E component of a donor-funded project, USAID preferred.
• Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods, survey design and implementation, and statistical data analysis is required.
• Excellent written communication skills required, with a demonstrated ability to write reports in a clear, concise manner.
• Experience evaluating integrated, market-systems programs greatly preferred.
• Familiarity with applying the CLA approach to management is desired.
• Experience working in Madagascar preferred.
• Fluency in English and French is required.

Malagasy nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.