Regional Technical Advisor for Knowledge Management and Learning, Latin America

Requisition Number:	D644
Area of Interest:	Other
Position Type:	Full Time
Location:	LACRO Regional Office
Job Description:	Position Title: Regional Technical Advisor for Knowledge Management and Learning Location: Latin America Regional Office (LACRO), Guatemala City Band: D - PMII Reports To: Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality (DRD/PQ) Background In Latin America, Catholic Relief Services works in 17 countries implementing programs in Emergencies, Agriculture, Health, Water and Peace and Justice. CRS implements its work through partners including Catholic Church institutions, national and international non-governmental organizations, and civil society networks. All of CRS' programs are based upon shared values and operational relationships which capitalize on our complementary capacities to achieve the maximum, positive benefit for poor and marginalized people. In 2005 CRS made a commitment to significantly improve its Monitoring and Evaluation systems and in-country capacities in M&E. As a result, today 90% of all LACRO projects comply with agency M&E standards, all country programs have staff that have been trained on standard M&E tools and 8 country programs have staff specialized and dedicated exclusively to M&E. CRS Partners have also increased their capacity and application of M&E systems. In addition, a robust set of quantitative M&E tools have been developed to capture evidence based data on project activities and outputs. These M&E systems provide a rich source of quantitative information for Knowledge Management and Learning. However, Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) and the application of qualitative and Research for Development initiatives that measure upper level outcomes and impact and inform decision making and new project design has lagged behind. There is a need to develop a systematic approach to KML in LACRO and to increase senior and programming staff’s literacy on KML and their role and participation in the system. Job Summary The RTA for Knowledge Management and Learning (RTA/KML) serves as a member of the LACRO regional team providing leadership and support for high quality CRS programming in Latin America and the Caribbean. S/he works in collaboration with staff in headquarters and country programs to develop and guide CRS strategies for Knowledge Management and Learning. The RTA/KML will be responsible for: · Providing leadership in developing KML strategies and systems, · Deepening staff’s literacy on KML, · Facilitating the documentation of lessons, · Leading innovations in KML and · Maintaining LACRO at the forefront of KML approaches, technologies and trends. Specific KML responsibilities will include: Documentation, Capacity Building /Training, Information Management and Knowledge Sharing, and Participatory research/Research for Development Specific Responsibilities KML strategy and systems · Develop and oversee the implementation of a regional knowledge management and learning strategy in coordination with the DRD/PQ and DRD/Global Solidarity and Peace and Justice · Work with regional sector leads to identify Learning questions and define common sector impact indicators for identified LACRO Signature and Emerging Areas. · Inventory and Assess current KML practices and tools being applied by CRS and its partner institutions and learning products (books, manuals, videos, reports, etc) produced over the past 1.5 years · In coordination with Heads of Programs (HOPs) , develop country program learning systems that are practical · Monitor/ measure/document the advances of KLM in country programs and at the regional level. Analyze and evaluate KML processes to identify which are the most effective. · Ensure systematic incorporation of good practices gained from lessons learned from both within CRS and from elsewhere into future projects and programs · Stay abreast of Agency and external trends in KLM and lead KML innovations in LACRO Documentation: · Oversee the analysis and documentation of lessons learned and best practices at the country program and regional levels and ensure the dissemination of these at the local, regional and HQ levels. · Monitor knowledge management systems to identify key learning from programs that can be leveraged for publication, incorporated into project proposal development and wider sharing, internally and externally. · Participate in and support the production of high quality Documentation products · Apply and promote the use of multi-media for Documentation purposes including photo stories, videos (eg. documentary and how to videos), audio, testimonials, case studies, systematizations, live event reporting/blogging, etc. · Apply and promote the use of participatory documentation techniques that involve project participants and staff in the process. · Work with staff to identify key Learnings and adapt documentation to external audiences such as donors, policy makers, and academics. Capacity building/Training: · Inventory and assess existing agency and regional learning and participatory and qualitative monitoring and evaluation tools. Adapt tools and train LACRO staff on their use and application. (tools eg.: Participatory Impact Pathway Analysis, Outcome Mapping, Most Significant Change, Appreciative Inquiry, Innovation histories, Accountability systems) · In close collaboration with HOPs, define customized learning and capacity development plans for their country program based on their staff needs · Develop and implement a suite of capacity building approaches on KML including workshops, e-learning, in situ Technical Assistance, and participatory learning and participatory monitoring and evaluation. · Develop simple tools and check lists that senior managers can use to gauge and monitor KLM literacy and practice in their Country Programs · Adapt and develop M&E tools that focus on measuring outcomes and impacts including changes in behavior, relationships, actions, and activities in the people, groups, and organizations CRS and partners work directly with. · Lead the design, enhancement and integration of participatory and qualitative M&E tools into regional Monitoring and Evaluation protocols surveys and evaluation instruments, to strengthen data collection and analysis and reporting on projects and strategy indicators Information management and Knowledge Sharing · Ensure that project Documentation and Learning pieces are accessible and available to LACRO and agency staff and LACRO partners. · In coordination with the Deputy Regional Director for Management Quality (DRD/MQ, Regional Information Systems Advisor (RISA)and HOPs, Ensure the population of complete project documents and documentation on CRS share point and that project Documentation is included on the CRS global Project Information Management System, (eg. evaluations, case studies, lessons learned documents). · Inventory and assess existing project Database systems to increase consistency, coherence, capacity for meta-data analysis and unification of parameters for information management systems. · Inventory and assess current use of ICT4D in LACRO programs · Promote the use of online collaborative spaces and ICT4D to increase and enhance knowledge sharing, primarily through use of the CRS share point, in coordination with the DRD/PQ, DRD/MQ and RISA · Carry out and support the extraction and dissemination of meta-learnings on sector technical practices, participatory methodologies and KML processes. · Participate actively in CRS Knowledge Management and M&E communities and promote and share LACRO KML initiatives and products with HQ and other regions. · Share and Disseminate agency strategies, priorities and best practices in KML and M&E throughout LACRO · Champion and be a regional Change Agent for the incorporation of the CRS sharepoint and CRS global Project Information Management System (PIMS) as part of normal business practices in CRS programs. · Support country programs to maintain their M/E systems, including periodic audits to gauge adherence to CRS Agency M&E standards and the quality of the systems. Participatory Research/ Research for Development: · Inventory, adapt and promote the use of participatory research methodologies that combine project data with people’s reflection, interpretation, context and experiences, to generate knowledge that helps project participants and project staff make more informed decisions and actions. · Work with Country Programs and sector leads to identify research for development/impact measurement needs. · Identify, Facilitate, and Assess institutional relationships with research institutes and Universities to respond to provide research support on identified topics · Conduct research and analysis, and introduction of new learning and development initiatives, as well as recommend a complement of internal and external learning and capacity development programs to enhance staff capacity to deliver high quality outputs Growth The RTA for KML will work closely with the RTAs for Growth to provide evidence based learning for use in proposal development and information pieces for donors. Responsibilities will include: · In coordination with RTA’s for Growth and country programs, develop and/or provide inputs for key learning documents as they relate to growth for example, past performance summaries, CRS innovation sheets, and evidence based results for emerging and signature areas. · Support the RTA’s for Growth to package key learnings and successful methodologies CRS is applying in signature and emerging areas. Help package case studies in formats to use with donors · Support country programs and RTAs to mine existing data: to identify and summarize learnings from key sectors, approaches and methodologies to be used in proposals and marketing pieces. · As part of new proposal development, coordinate with RTAs for Growth to facilitate spaces that use learning to identify innovative, new, creative solutions · Work with Country Program staff and RTAs to identify existing information in M&E systems for data mining and adjustments to M&E systems to ensure key learning data required for growth is being gathered and documented as part of LACRO M&E systems Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff) These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.  Serves with Integrity  Models Stewardship  Cultivates Constructive Relationships  Promotes Learning Key Working Relationships Internal: Country Representatives, Heads of Program, Regional Technical Advisors, Deputy Regional Director, Global Knowledge Management department (HQ), Senior Technical Adviser for Monitoring and Evaluation , PQSD, CRS Media-Communications staff External: Partners (including but not limited to the Catholic Church), PVOs, PVO networks, academic institutions, Qualifications: 1. Masters degree or equivalent experience in knowledge management and learning relevant to a senior Learning position in an international NGO. 2. 7-10 years of progressive responsibility in overseas relief and development programs; at least 5 years experience working for an international agency on learning and knowledge management and at least 3 years living overseas 3. High degree of competency and comfort with technology used for knowledge management and learning. 4. Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through participatory adult training, mentoring, distance education and other formal and non-formal methods. 5. Team-oriented and strong interpersonal skills 6. Strong group process design and facilitation skills, including developing and leading workshops 7. Flexibility and ability to motivate 8. Equally process and results-oriented 9. Thorough technical knowledge and experience in KML 10. Demonstrated experience in knowledge management and transfer: capturing, documenting, and facilitating the use of lessons learned. Experience with developing and managing learning agendas. 11. Strong network with key institutions and donor agencies active in KML 12. Ability to work well in a diverse, multi-cultural team setting 13. Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize a variety of initiatives 14. Excellent verbal and written communication skills 15. Fluency in English and Spanish required, French preferred 16. Willingness to travel regionally 30-50 percent of time

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Regional Technical Advisor for Knowledge Management and Learning, Latin America