PURPOSE OF POSITION: World Vision seeks a Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) Lead for the proposed USAID/Food For Peace -funded Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) in Zimbabwe. The CLA Lead will work closely with all staff, including the Food Security Technical Coordinator, Community Visioning Lead, and M&E Lead, to ensure collaboration and learning with other activities in the applicant’s selected implementation area. This staff member will ensure the activity includes active, intentional and adaptive learning within and across interventions, and will play a critical role in incorporating refinement activities and learning into implementation. This includes but is not limited to U.S. Government, host country government, international donors, multilateral organizations, and private sector investments. Additionally, the CLA Lead will improve peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, and evidence and data utilization in support of adaptive management both within and beyond initial refinement. The CLA Lead will also be expected to ensure appropriate and continued coordination and joint-planning with other USAID and other donor activities (specifically the USAID food security and resilience portfolio), host-government initiatives, and private sector engagement. Given the significant number of humanitarian and development activities planned and ongoing in the targeted geographic area, USAID expects significant time and expertise to be dedicated to coordination of activities. S/he will also provide technical guidance of sub-grantees and/or sub-contractors on implementing the learning agenda. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership in creating an adaptive and vibrant learning culture within the Zimbabwe DFSA consortium.
• Oversee the timely accomplishment of activities described in the learning agenda according to proposal and donor requirements.
• Manage the generation of data through research and evaluations to determine what does and does not work.
• Coordinate closely with the Zimbabwe DFSA Learning partners to support the Learning Agenda, and Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation Plan
• Provide technical leadership with regards to research studies and active learning feedback loops.
• Lead the development of iterative learning and adaptation processes, structures and practices of Zimbabwe DFSA staff and stakeholders at various levels
• Design and facilitate processes for learning and adaptation
• Supervise staff that report directly to this position. Conduct regular coaching and implement the Performance Development Management system.
• Demonstrates World Vision’s core values, vision, mission and Transformational Development/Program integrated ministry model by all staff in the assigned Area. Provide spiritual leadership to the grants team. Attend and participate in weekly chapel services and daily devotional meetings.
• Perform other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• An advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) plus a minimum of three (3) years relevant work experience or a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five (5) years relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating learning and knowledge sharing processes, in establishing and managing dynamic feedback systems to capture experiential learning and unintended consequences, and fostering collaboration across teams or organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in the livelihoods sector, with direct experience of working on issues of food security and nutrition.
• Experience in Knowledge management, organizational learning, and capacity strengthening.
• Experience in managing and leading quantitative and qualitative field research, and experience working closely with universities and/or other research institutions.
• Experience in designing, facilitating and evaluating learning activities, across different areas, forums and stakeholders.
• Understanding and experience in developing and leading stakeholder engagement activities, knowledge management programs, and communities of practice.
• Experience in effectively communicating research and evaluation findings to stakeholders and facilitating the use of the learning products for improving policy and practices.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with international assistance program preferably USAID Office or Food for Peace (FFP) policies.
• Experience working/living in countries in Africa. Familiarity with the Zimbabwe context.
• Ability to work cross-culturally with diverse teams.
• Strong presentation and report writing skills.
• Ability to achieve results through partners.
• Professional experience in development, organizational learning, and/or knowledge management.
• Experience working with sub grantees and contracts under grants for complex projects.
• Strong applied knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and experience of results synthesis, evaluation and presentation of data analysis for various audiences (policy makers, program managers, field staff, and/or government and community stakeholders).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Strong management and interpersonal skills.
• Mentoring and facilitation skills.
• Ability to network and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience working overseas in low-resource environments.
• Familiarity with current international development challenges and their implications for livelihoods programming.
• Experience in effectively communicating research and evaluation findings to stakeholders and facilitating the use of the learning products for improving policy and practices.

Work Environment/Travel:

• Office-based with mandatory and frequent travels to implementation sites and regional, global meetings as required