CARE is seeking a Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Advisor for an anticipated USAID-funded Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Niger. This Activity will aim to improve and sustain the food and nutrition security of vulnerable populations by addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition. The CLA Advisor will be responsible for integrating CLA principles throughout the project’s lifecycle to ensure adaptive management, learning, and collaboration across all program components. The position will play a critical role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and adaptive decision-making to maximize the effectiveness of resilience programming in Niger.
The CLA Advisor will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP), Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), and other senior project staff to ensure that the Activity remains responsive to evolving contexts, is driven by data and evidence, and maximizes opportunities for innovation. This role involves engaging with project partners, beneficiaries, and stakeholders to ensure that learning and collaboration are central to achieving project goals.
This activity is expected to be a five-year program in the $50-$100 million range.
This is a Key Personnel position, subject to USAID approval. It is also subject to project award and funding. This position will be based in Niamey.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and implementation of the project’s CLA strategy in alignment with USAID’s CLA framework and guidelines.
- Ensure CLA principles are integrated into all project components, promoting collaboration, learning, and adaptive management to achieve project objectives.
- Foster strong collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the project team, with implementing partners, local stakeholders, and USAID. Promote an inclusive and collaborative learning environment.
- Facilitate learning events, workshops, and training sessions for project staff and partners to strengthen CLA practices and adaptive management capabilities.
- Establish processes for capturing, analyzing, and utilizing data, feedback, and project experiences to inform decision-making and improve programming.
- Lead efforts to apply learning and evidence to adjust project strategies and interventions as needed in response to emerging challenges and opportunities.
- Organize and lead after-action reviews, learning sessions, and feedback mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement of project activities.
- Collaborate closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team to ensure that CLA is incorporated into all monitoring and evaluation activities, including learning agendas and research questions.
- Promote gender equality and social inclusion in the design and implementation of program activities.
- Work closely with the M&E lead in review and revision of the project Theory of Change.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of knowledge management systems and platforms to capture and disseminate project insights, lessons learned, and best practices to internal and external audiences.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and other communications materials to document and share project learning, adaptations, and successes with USAID, partners, and stakeholders.
- Lead initiatives to build the capacity of project staff and partners in CLA principles, ensuring sustainable practices for collaboration, learning, and adaptation.
- Engage with government counterparts, donors, local organizations, and other key stakeholders to promote collaboration and share learning on resilience programming and food security.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in international development, social sciences, organizational learning, knowledge management, or a related field.
- At least 7 years of relevant experience in international development, with a minimum of 3 years in a senior CLA, MEL, or program management role.
- Experience working on USAID-funded projects and in resilience programming is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated expertise in applying CLA principles, adaptive management, and knowledge management in complex development projects.
- Certification in project management (e.g. PD Pro) desired
- Experience working in Niger is preferred.
- Excellent facilitation, collaboration, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse teams, stakeholders, and partners.
- Fluency in French and English is required (spoken and written).
- Strong experience in leveraging data and evidence to drive adaptive management and programmatic decision-making.
- Demonstrated commitment to PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment, and Abuse) and principles of Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (DEBI).
- Ability to travel and work within Niger as required.
More Information
- Job City Niamey
