BACKGROUND 

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.  

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

The USAID-funded El Salvador Local Governance Solutions Activity will aim to support local governance in municipal consolidation, municipal financial sustainability, citizen engagement, improved service delivery (including safety and security) and address climate change and urbanization challenges.  

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Partnerships & Learning Manager will work closely with the Technical Team and USAID to synthesize and promote knowledge sharing activities and resources through a continuous learning cycle across El Salvador. The Partnerships & Learning Manager will develop strategies to capture, share, and apply knowledge and learning generated by the program for municipal governance, public administration, citizen participation, and community engagement, and support design and organization of national and regional learning platforms, events, and conferences.    

REPORTING & SUPERVISION 

The Partnership & Learning Manager will report to the DCOP – Technical and will supervise the Knowledge Management Officer.    

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

• Implement the knowledge management and learning strategy for the program and incorporate evidence-based practices into the program’s design, including on Social and Behavioral Change (SBC).  

• In coordination with the DCOP Technical, promote a culture of continuous knowledge sharing and develop sustainable approaches oriented to change social norms, including effectiveness, inclusiveness and responsiveness from the municipalities with transparency and accountability as core elements, including creating and expanding communities of practice   

• Map initiatives and critical actors across the country to be included in the learning agenda and advocacy agenda.  

• Initiate and manage learning partnerships between municipal, civil society, citizens, communities, academia, and private sector stakeholders to advance municipal development and capacity strengthening; identify, develop, share and scale public administration best practices; and share and advance municipal consolidation knowledge among stakeholders.  

• Identify, analyze, and synthesize actionable learnings and lessons learned from program implementation and facilitate the incorporation of those lessons into the activity development cycle.   

• Design innovative and effective tools for knowledge capture to ensure the learning cycle at community and regional levels is captured on time and communicated in an effective way.  

• Ensure the program’s results are fully integrated in the learning agenda and innovative tools and resources are created to communicate impact to USAID.  

• Ensure that program interventions and results are documented in the program database.  

• Lead the implementation of program learning events, including but not limited to, conferences, community of practice meetings, knowledge exchange panels, and workshops. Manage a calendar for learning events, workshops and communities of practice. Propose monthly Dissemination & Brownbag Events for Municipal & Community- Knowledge.  

• Provide Grants Under Contract support for Learning Dissemination as needed. 

• Lead and manage program-level evaluation of higher-level outcomes and theories of change from a Complex Adaptative System (CAS) approach.   

• Initiate and oversee research and data collection by monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and learning resources.   

• Offer technical assistance to key stakeholders in the development, selection, and application of learning and M&E processes and tools.   

• Train staff and local partners, where required, on key learning concepts, tools, and processes.   

• Undertake, as security conditions allow, periodic visits to project locations to collect data and/or oversee data collection efforts.   

• Prepare project reporting documents, including quarterly and annual reports, workplans, surveys, etc.  

• Other duties as assigned.  

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree required, MA degree desired.  

• At least 8+ years of general work experience and 5+ years of specific experience related to MEL, social science research, communications, political analysis, or a related field.  

• Must have at least 4+ years of direct supervisory experience.  

• Demonstrated experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.  

• Demonstrated experience with interviews, surveys, and focus groups highly desired.  

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.  

• Excellent communication skills and writing abilities.   

• Previous experience developing and delivering presentations to key stakeholders, including high-level host and U.S. Government officials, donor representatives, etc.   

• Experience working in a diverse and fast-paced environment.   

• Able to work independently, flexibly, and responsively  

• Experience developing strategies to promote social changes at institutional and community levels desired.  

• Experience working with USAID-funded projects.   

• Willingness and ability to travel throughout El Salvador when necessary.   

• Must have existing work authorization for El Salvador.   

• Fluency in Spanish required. Professional fluency in written and spoken English is highly desired. 

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please. 

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.