Since 1963 and in 146 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 delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.

OVERVIEW:

ACDI/VOCA is an international development organization dedicated to promoting economic prosperity, fostering food security, and supporting social inclusion through market-driven, locally focused solutions. This organization collaborates with diverse partners to empower people to succeed in the global economy. Their efforts focus on increasing incomes, improving livelihoods, and creating opportunities for traditionally excluded groups. ACDI/VOCA's work spans various countries and communities, making a tangible impact on lives and societies.

The Bangladesh Climate Smart Livestock (BCSL) project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and implemented by ACDI/VOCA, is a five-year initiative spanning from October 2023 to September 2028. It aims to enhance the resilience and productivity of Bangladesh's livestock sector amidst climatic adversities.

The project adopts a climate-smart market systems development approach to improve access to knowledge, services, and markets for small-holder farmers. It emphasizes the adoption of cost-effective climate-smart agriculture technologies and practices, targeting improvements in farm productivity, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting government climate goals. This initiative builds on ACDI/VOCA's extensive experience and strong relationships within Bangladesh's livestock sector.

Pursuant to its mission, ACDI/VOCA is seeking experienced and talented professionals for the Knowledge Management, Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation Specialist position.

Reporting to the MEL/CLA Director, the Knowledge Management, Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (KMCLA) Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring the continuous assessment and adjustment of the causal pathway to achieve desired development outcomes through the analysis of various information sources. This position emphasizes Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (CLA), incorporating iterative adaptations in program implementation and strategy. The primary focus is to support the BCSL project learnings, including enhanced monitoring and evaluation (M&E).

The specialist will work closely with the project team to facilitate internal and external coordination and collaboration. This includes integrating new learning, innovations, and performance information into strategy, thereby influencing program design and project management. The role involves translating new insights and information about changing conditions into strategic and programmatic adjustments. The specialist will coordinate with external stakeholders and technical teams to guide discussions, reflection, learning, and adaptation. Additionally, the specialist will support the updating of performance data, preparation of performance reports, briefing papers, and other documentation for effective project management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and implement comprehensive knowledge management frameworks and plans to capture, store, and disseminate organizational knowledge among wider audiences;
• Promote a culture of knowledge sharing by organizing workshops, training sessions, and collaborative platforms to encourage the exchange of best practices and lessons learned;
• Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of knowledge management systems, databases, and tools to ensure easy access and retrieval of information for all staff members;
• Continuously assess the effectiveness of knowledge management initiatives through feedback mechanisms, performance metrics, and impact evaluations to ensure alignment with the project goals and objectives;
• Develop a comprehensive CLA action plan that outlines the project’s learning agenda, key learning questions, methods for collecting and analyzing data, and timelines for implementing the CLA activities; engage appropriate stakeholders to review and provide feedback on the CLA plan, ensuring it meets their needs and expectations;
• Support the BCSL Project and its partners in executing their CLA priorities by designing and facilitating CLA-focused activities such as learning events, partner meetings, and interactive sessions etc;
• Organize periodic pause-and-reflect sessions with relevant stakeholders to share lessons learned and inform adaptive management by the project as well as the value chain actors;
• Support the design and implementation of the local stakeholder collaboration and engagement strategy.
• Conduct training and capacity-building activities to strengthen CLA and KM practices within the team and among partners; provide technical assistance and support to project staff and partners to ensure the effective implementation of CLA activities;
• Conduct and analyze primary and secondary data collection, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and case stories, to prepare comprehensive project and learning reports that document activities, outcomes, insights, and recommendations.
• Ensure that MEL activities are aligned with CLA principles and contribute to learning and adaptation; monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of CLA activities and make recommendations for improvements;
• Document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories to share with stakeholders and inform future activities; communicate findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders through reports, presentations, and other appropriate formats.
• Perform additional responsibilities as delegated by MEL Director and/or senior management.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Educational Background and Experience:

• A master’s degree with a four-year bachelor's degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Geography & Environment, Business Development, Management or a related field is required;
• Minimum of 5 years in knowledge management, learning, or CLA-related roles within international development projects. This includes experience in designing and implementing CLA strategies and activities, data collection, analysis, and reporting;
• Strong understanding of Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles and practices to effectively integrate them into project activities;
• Excellent in communication, facilitation, and presentation to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and build strong professional relationships.
• Experience in using data analysis tools and software to manage and interpret project data effectively;
• Strong organizational and project management skills to handle multiple tasks and ensure timely delivery of project milestones;
• Flexibility and readiness to travel to project sites as required to oversee and support field activities;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team to achieve project goals

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to gather, organize, and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data to develop knowledge products and generate reports;
• In-depth understanding of Knowledge management and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) processes, including designing indicators, measurement, monitoring, evaluation, and collaborative learning;
• Advanced proficiency in designing tools for data collection, data storing, cleaning, data analysis, and data visualization using relevant statistical & data visualization software/applications;
• Ability to communicate complex or sensitive issues clearly and effectively with individuals at all levels within and outside the organization;
• Proficient in developing and delivering training sessions to build capacity among team members and partners on CLA process;
• Strong writing skills to produce clear, concise, and well-organized reports and documentation;
• Awareness and sensitivity to local cultural issues, particularly in representing a US-based agency in diverse environments;
• Familiarity with USAID/USDA rules and regulations is preferred to ensure compliance in project implementation;
• Fluency in English, both written and oral, to facilitate effective communication and reporting;
• Proven track record of successful teamwork and the ability to facilitate presentations and discussions effectively;
• Demonstrated self-motivation, eagerness to learn, and a strong work ethic to contribute positively to the team and project outcomes.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a resume and cover letter to BangladeshLAN@joinav.org no later than 07^th August 2024.
Please include the position title in the subject line.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone. Only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply.