Director of Learning Innovation and Ecosystem Strengthening At Development Aid

Job Title: Director of Learning Innovation and Ecosystem Strengthening
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contract Duration and Type: Fixed-term contract until the project ends in early 2028.
Travel: Regional travel might be required.

DRS is looking, on behalf of our client, for a Director of Learning Innovation and Ecosystem Strengthening who will ensure innovative learning approaches are streamlined through all Mission support and Learning Project programming in close collaboration with the Senior Management Team. The Director will serve as the Activity point person for sup-porting cross-cutting activities, including facilitation of peer learning, MEL training and capacity building, GESI main-streaming, and supporting CDCS and learning agendas for both Ethiopia and Djibouti Missions.

The Director will manage the Learning Innovation and Ecosystem Strengthening team and will collaborate regularly with Activity leadership and other supporting teams dedicated to Evidence, Third-Party Monitoring, Organizational Transfor-mation, and Data Analytics led by other field office colleagues and international subcontractors. The position will report to the Chief of Party and will be based full-time in Addis Ababa.

Activity Overview:
Ethiopia Learning Analytics Activity is a $48 Million activity designed to bolster the capacity of USAID/Ethiopia to work towards a Mission-wide systematic and intentional approach to learning. The Activity will improve data management and help the Mission to make timely decisions in program design and implementation. The Activity will enable a wider col-lective impact of USAID and other partners – thereby better meeting the Development Objectives outlined in the Mis-sion’s Country Development & Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). This is a five-year Activity that ends in April 2028.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Champion application of innovative practice for improved learning and adapting
• Ensure that all learning events are well designed, resourced and implemented to meet donors’ expectations
• Support the integration of learning across the project’s support
• Support the Mission to share its new-and-improved learning practices with other stakeholders and expand their use thereby extending its vibrant, integrated learning ecosystem beyond the Mission
• Support GESI assessments and develop strategies for the project to support the USAID program office with its implementation
• Implement a Project-wide Sustainability Plan that outlines key challenges and opportunities with clear milestones that can be tracked throughout the project life cycle and monitor progress with clear metrics
• Conduct and oversee donor engagement assessments
• Support improving Mission knowledge management processes
• Conduct periodic learning need diagnostics to understand learning needs of different technical offices at USAID, IPs, and Government stakeholders
• Collaborate with the Learning Adaptation Activity on the project’s joint deliverables and tasks.
• Assist in development of Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation Communities of Practice within the Mission.
• Support the implementation of the Learning Project’s Communication Strategy and knowledge management systems
• Support the development of an Adaptation Tracker to document proven adjustments and refinements
• Lead the development of three new institutions to expand USAID’s engagement in innovative learning analytics with other partners and to enable the sustainability of those efforts – namely a Center for Development Learning & Innovation, a Learning Analytics Community of Practice, and a Learning Analytics Marketplace for Local Service Providers
• Develop and maintain close collaborative relationships with all Mission Offices, prioritized USAID implementing partners, the Activity’s LME and technology partners, prioritized Government of Ethiopia entities, and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., other donors)
• Oversee Learning and Innovation HUB expansion and running.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of seven years’ experience with LME or related functions; or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of ten years’ experience
• A minimum of three years’ experience supporting USAID and/or USAID-funded Activities with a full range of LME services and support
• Experience and expertise in LME practices and designing and implementing MEL Tools & platforms
• Excellent written and oral communication, facilitation, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Strong skills for planning and execution – driven to produce high-quality work on time
• Ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently and effectively – plus, respond to changing priorities and circumstances with flexibility and agility

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting USAID Missions
• Familiarity with East African operating environments