Collaborative Learning And Events Specialist - Remote Eligible

Background

This position is with The US Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation’s (DDI) Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships (LFT) Hub.

Locally led development is the process in which local actors – encompassing individuals, communities, networks, organizations, private entities, and governments – set their own agendas, develop solutions, and bring the capacity, leadership, and resources to make those solutions a reality. Through funding and technical leadership, Locally Led Development Initiatives (LLDI) provide USAID Missions and staff with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to ensure that development assistance is locally led and advances localization.

Through the following programs and opportunities, LLDI is advancing USAID’s ability to support locally-led development:

● Local Works: Working with USAID Missions to drive innovation and experimentation in locally-led development.

● Locally Led Development Research (LLD Research): Generating evidence and learning to drive a more effective approach to locally-led development.

● Locally Led Development Annual Program Statement (APS): Enabling USAID Missions to solicit, co-create, and fund innovative approaches to locally-led development.

● Unsolicited Solutions for Locally Led Development (US4LLD): Supporting innovative ideas for locally-led development.

● Peace Corps Partnerships Programs: Partnering with the Peace Corps to address community priorities and boost local capacity.

The Local, Faith and Transformative Partnerships Hub (DDI/LFT Hub) also uses its resources to provide thought leadership, policy guidance, communications, research, training, piloting, and other technical services for the benefit of the wider Agency, with the ultimate goal of mainstreaming locally-led development principles and approaches across USAID programs. For more information, visit the DDI/LFT Hub online. https://www.usaid.gov/local-faith-and-transformative-partnerships

Position Summary:

The Collaborative Learning and Events Specialist will lead learning events and processes that facilitate peer sharing by way of in-person and virtual platforms to advance locally led development and the strategic objectives of LLDI’s Local Works program. The incumbent will be a talented facilitator and events management professional with the ability to work across teams and technical areas to design and lead creative peer learning workshops for both in-person and virtual settings, informed by best practices, such as liberating structures. Additionally, the incumbent will have strong project management skills to support event logistics and coordinate processes to allow for effective ongoing engagement and exchange between events.

Responsibilities:

● Facilitate Local Works-supported communities of practice (CoPs) to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that support locally led development and facilitate peer learning. This includes proactively and creatively identifying and facilitating learning opportunities through listserv moderation and events (see below).

● Facilitate the organization and execution of in-person and virtual Learning Events/Summits for CoP participants and Missions working to implement Local Works Programming.

○ Virtual events include but are not limited to regular community meetings, targeted peer learning exchanges, and collaboration on community resources. In-person events include but are not limited to regional and global gatherings of Local Works missions, DC-based community gatherings, and conference/stakeholder event participation.

○ The Collaborative Learning and Events Specialist role will include proactively leading agenda and content development; logistics organization together with USAID contractors (venue, meals, travel, procurement, etc.); administration in accordance with USAID’s business processes; coordination of facilitators; coordination of a planning team of technical experts; working with local logistics providers; and engagement of Agency leadership, as relevant.

Additional responsibilities

● Listen to communities’ needs and lead in problem-solving and identifying gaps in resources, training, and connections, then solicit existing resources from communities, and generate peer-learning-derived content to address resource gaps.

● Engage community members and DDI/LFT staff in identifying topics for events (i.e., Community of Practice (CoP) Global Calls, Ask an Expert, Peer Assist, Fail Festival)

● Facilitate the development of community activity calendars and coordinate medium to long-term planning across DDI/LFT and stakeholders.

● Coordinate each community of practice in alignment with its needs, e.g., for Local Works CoP coordinate a Mission steering committee and provide mentorship and support to field-based staff to assume leadership of learning event sessions and activities, as needed.

● Use data and feedback to adapt the CoP strategy to promote learning, build relationships, and improve community outcomes.

● Generate feedback loops with DDI/LFT Hub and Agency leadership that synthesizes stories and learning, and advocates for communities’ needs and recommendations to promote locally led development.

Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in a relevant field and a minimum of 8 years of relevant support OR Master’s degree and a minimum of 6 years of experience

● Experience facilitating professional quality in-person and virtual events and sessions involving creative formats and managing logistics, which includes coordinating budgeting and procurement of vendors and supplies

● High level of attention to detail, with experience breaking a large event into manageable steps and meeting tight deadlines

● Experience managing large event planning teams, including leading work planning, coordinating roles and responsibilities, supporting co-facilitators, and mentoring other staff to assume leadership roles in learning events

● Experience supporting communities of practice and facilitating learning exchanges for diverse stakeholders

● Experience working with USAID Missions or similar field-based clients on locally led development programming and knowledge of USAID program cycle, regulations, and processes are preferred.

● Experience facilitating decision-making and work planning processes with diverse staff and leadership.

● Demonstrated cross-cultural, interpersonal, customer service, and problem-solving skills

● Excellent written and oral communication skills

● Ability to perform tasks independently with limited direction

● Strong working knowledge of Google Workspace and web event platforms

● Ability to travel to USAID Mission countries at least three times per year for one-to-two-week periods at a time

• Ability to obtain a Facilities-Level Clearance

Core Values

Following the core values of the DDI/LFT Hub and our Locally Led Development Initiatives, this position requires a commitment to:

● Experiment, Learn, and Share. We try new approaches, test old assumptions, and take smart risks to make development more empowering for those on the receiving end of assistance. We facilitate shared learning so USAID, other donors, partner organizations, and local constituents all benefit.

● Take the Long View. Understanding local systems, challenges, and opportunities takes time; building relationships takes time; and supporting enduring change takes time. We create new opportunities for USAID to focus on long-term outcomes that last.

● Look Locally. We seek to build upon existing local initiatives, ideas, resources, and capacity to solve local problems. We engage in ways that respect existing networks and relationships, valuing new and nontraditional partners who understand the local context.

● Listen to the End-User. We listen to local voices every step of the way to shift the power of development priority-setting and decision-making to local actors. We seek to prioritize local voices and values in defining and measuring success; strengthen accountability to local communities and constituents; and create research and learning that is valued by and accessible to members of the communities served.

● Champion Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. USAID is committed to ensuring our Agency and programs advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility throughout all aspects of our work. We seek fellowship candidates who share these values and are committed to seeking opportunities to creatively advance and champion these values through their work with us.

Why Saliense?

In addition to providing a fun, energetic environment that promotes innovation and personal growth, we offer excellent compensation packages with plenty of opportunities for advancement. We pay 100% of the premiums for employee Healthcare, including medical, dental, and vision. We offer 401K match and all company contributions are 100% vested immediately. Since we believe in work-life balance so much, we offer 20 days of paid leave per year. Use it as you need it or use it all at once and go travel for a month! There are many more - connect with us to get a preview of the full benefits package.

Saliense Consulting LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.