at NORC in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
CLA (Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting) Expert, Kenya
Job no: 502289 Work type: Regular Full-Time Location: Remote Capability Area: International ProgramsJOB SUMMARY:
NORC is seeking an experiencedCollaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Expert to work remote with frequent travel to Nairobi, Kenya.
The Kenya Primary Literacy Project (KPLP) is a five-year activity that will assist the Kenyan Ministry of Education (MOE) in delivering reading interventions at scale as well as piloting and expanding new innovations to address the language and literacy needs of primary grade learners while building more inclusive, accountable, and resilient education institutions and systems. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Education Development Center (EDC) in partnership with the MOE, KPLP has three overarching objectives:
+ Improve education services and student learning outcomes, including for vulnerable populations;
+ Strengthen education institutions and systems to become more accountable, self-sustaining, and resilient; and
+ Empower local youth organizations to strengthen and sustain community and family support for student learning and wellbeing.
As EDC’s research partner, NORC at the University of Chicago will develop and lead Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) work under KPLP, including designing and implementing CLA activities around KPLP pilot programs, building an Activity-level learning agenda, and supporting CLA activities related to policy, system-strengthening, and/or scale-up efforts. Drawing on the learning agenda, NORC will also design and lead embedded studies examining the efficacy of pilot project models and model “ingredients” as well as develop low-cost continuous assessments to track and use student learning data and support research activities.
DEPARTMENT: International Programs
INPRO (https://www.norc.org/About/Departments/Pages/international-programs.aspx) was established in 2005, and works with government and other organizations throughout the world to strengthen the effectiveness of international development assistance via design and implementation of rigorous impact and performance evaluations, surveys, qualitative data collection, statistical and qualitative analysis, and a range of related research and assessment activities. Our research spans a range of sectors including education and training, child and youth well-being, land and resource governance, environment and climate, democracy and governance, agriculture and food security, water and sanitation, infrastructure, housing, finance, and health. Since its establishment INPRO (https://www.norc.org/About/Departments/Pages/international-programs.aspx) has implemented projects in more than 100 countries.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
To support these activities, NORC is seeking an international consultant to serve as CLA Expert over the life of the five-year project. As a member of NORC’s technical team and in collaboration with EDC, the CLA Expert will be expected to support the following tasks:
+ Prepare for and co-facilitate collaboration mapping and CLA planning workshops with USAID, EDC, and NORC.
+ Support the development of a CLA strategy as part of the KPLP MEL Activity Plan.
+ Work with NORC, EDC, and USAID to organize and facilitate learning agenda workshop(s) with high-level KPLP stakeholders; draft a utilization-focused learning agenda report and strategy for the KPLP activity.
+ Facilitate and draft learning and adaptation reports for quarterly pause-and-reflect sessions with the MOE and KPLP National Technical Team as well as annual pause-and-reflect sessions with the KPLP Steering Committee.
+ Develop an overall approach, facilitation materials, and learning and adaptation reporting templates for monthly pause-and-reflect sessions with implementing partners, to be led by NORC’s local staff/consultants.
+ Co-author final learning report upon completion of the project; contribute to other KPLP narrative reports as required.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
+ At least 10 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and adapting for international development programs, including in the education sector.
+ At least 5 years of experience applying CLA frameworks and facilitating CLA-related activities for USAID missions, preferably at the Activity-level.
+ Facilitation experience with high-level government stakeholders such as line ministries and national steering committees.
+ Graduate degree (or equivalent) in the social sciences or a related field (e.g., education, sociology, or organizational development).
+ Excellent written and oral communication skills.
+ Relevant experience in Sub-Saharan Africa is required; experience in Kenya is strongly preferred.
+ Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Kiswahili is a plus.
+ Travel to Kenya will be required.
WHAT WE DO:
NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.
WHO WE ARE:
For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.
EEO STATEMENT:
NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally protected characteristics.
Advertised: July 1, 2024 Central Daylight TimeApplications close: