Evidence Action Learning and Communication Associate Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Vacancy: Associate, Learning and Communication
 

Start Date: Early January, 2015
 

Reporting To: Senior Associate, Learning and Communication
 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya 

About Evidence Action: Evidence Action is a new organization working in partnership with an existing non-profit organization (Innovations for Poverty Action, IPA) to scale proven interventions to improve the lives of the poor in Africa and Asia. Rigor, evidence, and action are all part of our values. 

We are looking for a dynamic, engaged individual to join our team as a Senior Associate, Learning and Communication working within organization’s Monitoring, Learning, and Information Systems (MLIS) team. 

The successful candidate, like the MLIS team, will embody the evidence-based and data-driven nature of the organization. 

While Evidence Action continues to grow the pipeline of proven-interventions to bring to scale, its current programs in the Africa Region include:

• Dispensers for Safe Water is an entrepreneurial program scaling the chlorine dispenser system – a proven innovation that dramatically expands access to water treatment at an extremely low cost.

• Deworm the World Initiative actively supports the scale-up of school-based deworming programs worldwide to improve children’s health, education, and long-term development.

About Monitoring Learning and Information Systems (MLIS) Team: The MLIS team is critical to the identity and work of Evidence Action. The team embodies the evidence-based nature of Evidence Action’s work and enables Evidence Action to be a cutting-edge, data-driven organization.

The team provides services across Evidence Action’s Africa Region through four sub-teams that work closely together to deliver quality, timely and useful information:

• Learning and Communication (L&C): This team is responsible for supporting the program teams with timely information in innovative, useful and clear ways to translate analysis and research to evidence-based decision making and action.
• Monitoring, Analysis and Research (MAR): This team is responsible for ensuring that all ongoing program monitoring needs are met and analysis and research is conducted to support program improvements.
• Management Information Systems (MIS): This team is be responsible for ensuring that the all programs have access to timely and useful data for day-to-day programmatic planning and decision making through a cloud-based multi-user system.
• Data Quality and Management (DQM): This team is responsible for ensuring access to quality and timely data to meet all ongoing program needs; including monitoring, information systems and analysis and research.

About the Position: The Associate, Learning and Communication will be a key member of the Learning and Communication delivery team for Evidence Action’s Africa Region. 

Within the region, they will provide support for: 

1) Diagnosing the data, research, and learning needs of all Evidence Action programs, 

2) Marketing and Showcasing all MLIS services (i.e. data collection, analysis, research, data management etc.) to Evidence Action program teams and 

3) Ensuring effective information flow within program teams and between program teams and MLIS divisions. 

A successful Associate, Learning and Communication will ensure that the data-driven decision making process of Evidence Action addresses the most pressing program needs and specifically addresses the strongest opportunities for programmatic improvements.

Diagnosing the Program “needs” from the MLIS Team

• Collaborate with all Evidence Action programs to identify the specific data and analysis requests made to MLIS team members for inclusion in reports, concept notes, case studies, etc.
• Bridge the connections between Evidence Action Programs Teams and Management Information Systems (internal MIS staff members and external vendors/contractors) to ensure that all program needs are able to be effectively captured in Evidence Action’s MIS systems
• Provide support in summarizing and synthesizing the work plans of Evidence Action programs with specific attention to areas where MLIS will provide support
• Stay attuned to the relative level of prioritization that program teams assign to MLIS tasks and projects
• Act as an Account Manager for the DtW team receiving general MLIS requests when program team members do not know the appropriate person to address their request
• Receiving requests from Evidence Action program teams regarding needs for data updates or clarifications within the MIS system is the most updated version from the programs team, check errors and advice on improvements

Ensuring effective information flow

• Sharing specific program needs and requests with the relevant member of the MLIS team for service delivery and support
• Review and support program monitoring reports as requested by program teams in areas of MLIS specialization
• Participation in regular program meetings to collect updates and share tasks, plans and events of relevance with the MLIS team
• Overseeing adherence of MLIS team members with established protocols regarding the organization and use of shared files and resources within the MLIS team
• Create a knowledge, Learning and Development Centre for the programs as well as the team (Knowledge Library with researches done and one pagers)
• Identify best practices and lessons learned from researches done by MAR team and support tracking of progress for program teams to implement agreed upon best practices
• Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the programme
• Providing timely access to existing analysis and cross-program lessons for evidence-based decisions

Marketing and Showcasing MLIS Service

• Providing general and situation-specific guidance to Evidence Action teams regarding the services that the MLIS team can provide
• Developing, editing, and tailoring MLIS products to “fit” the target audience
• Assist in the production and presentation of MLIS communication material: presentations, and briefing materials targeted at Evidence Action program teams
• Support the preparation of communication materials and presentations to external partners and stakeholders

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant social sciences (i.e. development, economics, data-journalism, public health, communications, or related field).
• A minimum of 2 years’ work experience generating high quality written material for internal leadership and/or external audiences
• A strong sense of curiosity and an orientation toward practical knowledge-seeking through learning, questioning, and experimentation
• Highest quality, professional writing and communications skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a team that is geographically dispersed
• Self-directed/self-motivating personality
• Strong critical and analytical thinking skills
• Intellectual flexibility and willingness to form and adjust opinions based on evidence
• Quick to learn, motivated to self-teach and capable of independently translating new knowledge into practice

Note: Please specifically illustrate the above desired qualifications in your cover letter by giving examples from your experience.
 

In addition, this position requires a candidate to:

• Have a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and policy in the development field
• Be enthusiastic to develop personally and professionally as part of a growing global team
• Possess a strong attention to detail and a genuine love of working with data

To Apply:
 

Please email your CV and application letter to copy kenyajobs@evidenceaction.org with the subject line “Associate-Learning and Communication MLIS”

Deadline to Apply: On a rolling basis

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by phone and email for an interview. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Organisation is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), adhering to the laws that prohibit discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment. 

The Organisation’s HR policy provides equal employment, volunteer, and service opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, veteran status, disability (including HIV/AIDS), or any other status protected by applicable law.