Senior Advisor, Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA)

Position Description

EnCompass LLC is seeking a Senior Advisor, Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) to provide technical leadership and support to complex/multiyear monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and related contracts bringing established CLA, facilitation, and event design and delivery good practices and innovations to ensure clients are equipped to adapt, learn, and make informed, data-driven decisions. The Senior Advisor provides CLA technical leadership to business development strategy, provides technical assistance to activities across EnCompass’ practices, and is recognized as a thought leader on CLA within EnCompass and among external audiences.

This is planned as a a full-time position. For US candidates in the DC metro area, this role is located at the EnCompass principal office in Silver Spring, Maryland, following the EnCompass flexible hybrid work model with split time between telework and the office. If this position is indeed at the principal office, this individual may also be expected to work from client sites in the Washington, DC metro area, as needed.

Candidates residing in the DC metro area will be given first consideration. Qualified US remote applicants might be considered, but only if candidate resides in a state where EnCompass is currently registered. Qualified globally remote applicants might also potentially be considered.

In the US: Must be legally authorized to work in the US for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

Technical

• Provides technical oversight and leadership of CLA components of multiple, multi-year MEL platform and other large/complex contracts, including forming long term relationships with established clients, mentorship and guidance to team members, and directly implementing CLA tasks
• Provides CLA technical leadership and support to client-funded activities across technical practices within EnCompass, including developing meaningful learning agendas with use-focused questions and a rigorous plan to implement, compiling evidence for learning, facilitating learning events while effectively managing power dynamics, and evaluating the contributions of CLA to development work
• Ensures integration of USAID CLA principles across all aspects of technical work (monitoring, evaluation, research, etc.) to promote a culture of learning and adaptive management both externally (with client staff and other USAID Mission stakeholders) and internally (with project staff)
• Develops and deepens innovative approaches and resources to create, capture, organize, translate, share, and support application of knowledge to improve project design, strategic learning, and adaptive management throughout the program cycle
• Ensures project teams are aware of, and provides support in the implementation of, CLA approaches, methodologies, and applications
• Assists project teams in designing effective learning events and MEL-related workshops/conferences/sessions and in planning for successful stakeholder engagement efforts using appreciative, participatory, adult-learning methodologies, and collaborating with other technical experts as needed
• Identifies ways to improve knowledge-sharing tools and practices among project teams and their clients, including through the application of e-sharing and learning tools and Communities of Practice
• Leads/supports MEL activities as needed

Management

• Serves as Technical/Project Director or Corporate Officer on MEL contracts, including as Point of Contact (POC) for clients and major sub-contractors, overseeing financial and contract compliance, and ensuring high quality delivery aligned with client expectations
• Develops, reviews, and as appropriate, approves project workplans, budgets, and projections (internal and external) in coordination with the Project Coordinator/Project Manager
• Provides leadership, mentorship, and oversight to junior and mid-level staff
• Supervises and mentors junior, mid-level, and senior headquarters (HQ) staff, including supervising HQ-based supervisors of supervisors
• Manages teams of EnCompass staff, consultants, vendors, and subcontractors, including delegating tasks and ensuring timely and quality deliverables
• Anticipates internal challenges and recommends solutions

New Business

• Serves as technical leader in CLA and contributes to business development strategy in this area
• Serves as Technical Lead on large, complex proposals within area of expertise
• Ensures that EnCompass technical proposals have an appropriate CLA lens and clearly describe CLA approaches that fit request requirements
• Mentors MEL Specialist I and IIs in leading smaller proposals within area of expertise
• Contributes to company business development through networking in professional circles
• Participates in new business generation discussions with potential partners and EnCompass staff
• Recruits, hires, and manages consultants for proposals and contributes to expansion of the Global Consultant Network

General

• Engages fully as a member of the EnCompass staff team, including participating in staff meetings and other EnCompass events
• Other duties, as assigned

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Minimum of a High School Diploma and 16 years of experience; Associate’s degree and 14 years of experience; Bachelor’s degree and 12 years of experience; Master’s degree and 10 years of experience
• Degree in International Development, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.

Experience and Skills

Technical:

• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience with USAID CLA, learning, and/or adaptive management techniques, theories, and/or technologies with familiarity of external players and landscape within sector of expertise
• Deep expertise in infusing a culture of systematic and intentional CLA, learning, and/or adaptive management practices among client and project/company teams, with demonstrated experience across at least two social development sectors such as education, democracy and governance, public health, or education
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering (facilitating) high level, multi-stakeholder events (with diverse participants) that involved presenting information and data in ways that promote learning, adaptation, and decision-making
• Demonstrated experience leading at least three CLA, learning, and/or adaptive management initiatives for USAID, such as CLA assessments, knowledge management, collaborations and dialogues, and/or support for adaptation informed by evidence
• Experience leading the development and implementation of learning agendas; compiling disparate evidence for learning briefs; and developing and applying theories of change/results frameworks to learning initiatives
• In-depth understanding of international development processes, actors, and cultures
• Deep understanding of USAID program cycle desirable
• Knowledge of additional donor and CLA approaches and best practices, desirable
• Experience applying appreciative inquiry and participatory approaches, desirable
• Experience supporting in-country USAID mission programming desirable

Management

• Ability to provide leadership across concurrent, complex contracts with competing priorities and deadlines
• Strong work planning, budgeting, and contract management skills, including experience with complex projects
• Strong organization and strategic thinking skills
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising consultants, staff, vendors/subcontractors, and teams in a manner that empowers teams while ensuring their well-being
• Capability to identify, leverage, and manage a network of consultants
• Ability to be flexible in adjusting to client needs and project requirements

General

• Significant experience directly engaging clients, implementing partners, and other key stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience supported successful business development efforts, including with USAID and other USG agencies and donors
• Exceptional technical and general writing skills and oral communication skills, with a experience in professional publication, technical briefs, and/or conference presentations
• Flexibility and ability to travel internationally or domestically for short lengths of time
• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work in an appreciative and strengths-based environment and coach others in using appreciative approaches
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish, highly desirable

How to Apply

Please submit CV and cover letter, and complete the application on the Careers & Consulting page of https://encompassworld.com.

Estimated Starting Pay Range

The pay range for this role allows for the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, certifications, and other business and organizational needs. At EnCompass, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $121,088 to $148,122.

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.

For US based positions: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.

If you require accommodations in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete your application, please call 301-287-8700, provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case-basis, and we will call you back within approximately 3 business days.

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