Learning & Knowledge Management Specialist (Re-advertised) – aBi Development Limited

• Proven demonstrable understanding of research methodologies and the nature of the evidence which influences decision-makers.
• Excellent technical skills in interaction with digital data systems.
• Integrity & Commitment.
• Learning & Capacity Building.
• Proactivity & Innovation.
• Getting Work Done.
• Relationship Building.
• Thinking and Problem Analysis.
• Communication and Information Handling.
• Resource and Business Management.

The role of the Learning Knowledge Management (LKM) Specialist is to ensure that the information gathered from aBi’s Research, MRM, and Learning activities is effectively analysed, synthesized and curated so that key decision-makers are able to utilise it effectively. This includes supporting senior managers in the development of ‘learning frameworks’ (structured frameworks to clarify each team’s learning agenda, potential sources of information and the strategies that will be used for collection). In addition, s/he will work to translate the information thus collected into ‘knowledge assets’ (e.g. reports, infographics, SOPs, guidebooks, training resources, communication tools); ensuring that these are useful, relevant and easily accessible for the various audiences in the aBi community. project plans.

REPORTS TO: Head of Results Management, Research and Development (RMRD)

SUPERVISES: Consultants engaged on LKM activities

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The LKM Specialist will be expected to work with executive management, as well as project leads, to support the informed development of strategy, funding windows and project plans.

STRATEGY & PROGRAMMING

Ensure that evidence and knowledge are easily accessible by all internal and external stake holders and are presented in a format that effectively supports the development of strategy, funding windows, new innovations, project pipelines, advocacy, and communications.

Action Steps:

• Working together with the Head of RMRD, conduct a comprehensive audience analysis to ensure full understanding of the evidence and knowledge requirements of staff and stakeholders.
• Lead the development, review, and support implementation of a robust aBi learning Framework and annual learning agenda; develop learning questions and indicators aligning to key aBi stakeholders’ learning needs.
• Provide technical advice to improve Theories of Change (at programme as well as project level) and develop insights on how to enhance achievement of desired results.
• Contribute to the design of new innovations by collecting, analysing, and applying lessons learned from aBi’s MRM activities, reviews, evaluations, and audits; translate gaps and shortfalls into concrete suggestions for improvement.
• Participate in review meetings with MRM team members and project teams to accord feedback to programme teams on the improvement of funding window and project design.

Success Criteria/Measures

• Comprehensive stakeholder and audience analysis conducted and documented.
• Stakeholder satisfaction surveys indicate that needs-identification has been done correctly.
• Evidence that captured knowledge / evidence has been used to support strategy, funding window and project design.

KML FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP

Facilitate the embedding of Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) into mainstream organisational processes; develop and implement KML systems and practices at both aBi and Implementing Partner levels.

Action Steps:

• Keep abreast of best practices in LKM and Research and the fields of development funding and agribusiness market development; apply insights gained to the continuous improvement of aBi’s KML systems and practices.
• Improve or set up new guidelines, processes, tools and SOPs to support learning and knowledge management; ensure compliance with aBi and DCED standards.
• Work collaboratively with the Technical Manager to integrate learning frameworks into the GMS system to ensure that required data/information can be collected in the most time and cost-effective manner possible.
• Work collaboratively with aBi’s senior leadership to develop an organisation culture of academic enquiry and blame-free analysis of lessons-learned; provide coaching if blaming/shaming behaviour is evidenced.
• Develop & oversee implementation of strategies for mitigating key learning and knowledge management risks; support implementation of aBi’s Environmental, Social and Governance standards in projects.

Success Criteria/Measures

• DCED audit indicates that the KML system meets standards.
• Feedback from colleagues indicates time and cost-effective data collection mechanisms have been established.
• Staff participate enthusiastically in learning activities.

ANALYSIS & SYNTHESIS

Gather, analyse, and synthesize knowledge and insights from Research, MRM, Evaluations, Audits and other company wide activities and processes; make sense of the information and generate accurate and valid insights.

Action Steps:

• Provide support and guidance to colleagues to enhance the quality of evidence and knowledge generated from MRM, evaluations, research, and learning activities
• Collaborate with the Research Officer to:

• Apply various quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques to transform complex datasets into easily understood actionable information insights by the identified audiences/stakeholders.
• Collate and curate knowledge pieces from academia, think tanks and other like- minded agribusiness organizations; make connections between aBi’s findings and general research findings and call out key points of interest.

• Map impact/geographical spread/lessons learned from evaluations to capture the most significant change evidence and impact case studies; escalate these to the Head of RMRD and to the Communications team.
• Present insights in a highly visualised and easy-to-understand manner that will make them easy for the various audiences to utilise; find ways of synthesizing complex information into accessible graphics/summaries.

Success Criteria/Measures

• DCED audit indicates that legitimate generalisations have been made, and credible interpretation of insights from evidence produced.
• Relevant and useful information shared with colleagues on a regular basis.

KNOWLEDGE HUB & COMMUNICATIONS

Work collaboratively with the Communications team and with colleagues in the Technical, MRM and Research & Development teams to maintain a ‘knowledge hub’ for the organization to meet the information needs of the identified audiences.

Action Steps:

• Convene colleagues and lead project teams to support the design and implementation of a knowledge management system with an adequate library/documentation centre, database/repository of resources and quality assurance mechanism.
• Participate in the development of strategies for building on aBi’s successes:

• Drive systemic change by encouraging other stakeholders to replicate aBi’s successful strategies (‘crowding in’).
• Ensure that current and potential development partners / investors are made aware.
• Raise aBi’s brand, profile, and reputation as a knowledge hub by widely disseminating practical and well-written knowledge pieces.

• Work collaboratively with Communications to ensure publications are developed and distributed to relevant stakeholders e.g.:

• The “aBi Resource Document” to inform stakeholders of the resources available
• Policy briefs, and disseminating them to staff, partners, and other targeted user’s leadership papers,
• Journal articles, success stories, case studies, videos, fact sheets, documentaries.
• Programmatic level accountability reporting at macro level.

• Working with the technical team to support third party and aBi content management on aBi website and other information sharing platforms; perform analytics to monitor utilization and enhance the quality of user experience

Success Criteria/Measures

• Knowledge hub operationalised; user statistics monitored and continually improving.
• Impact assessments reveal growth in aBi’s impact and reach.
• Publications produced on time and to standard in accordance with the Communication & Advocacy plan.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Strengthen the capacity of aBi staff and partners to use data, evidence and learning in planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Action Steps

• Develop and update a capacity building plan for staff and partners on LKM related needs.
• Establish a resource bank for up-to-date tools, training materials, other capacity building products, and a data base of experts; ensure the resources are used to support partners.
• Organise and facilitate learning sessions e.g. field tours, workshops, cafes, reflection sessions; includes attending sectoral consultations on policy for objective identification of lessons learned, supporting sense-making and improving services based on results.
• Design and deliver capacity building programmes (training, TA in systems improvement) to staff and partners on best practices in KLM according to identified needs.

Success Criteria/Measures

• Capacity building interventions have an MRM plan in place; results indicate application of learning to participant’s work.
• Capacity-building interventions and tools are delivered in accordance with plan.

And other duties as requested by the Head of RMRD

All interested and qualified persons are encouraged to apply online on www.futureoptions.org or by email: careers@futureoptions.org. Application and CV should be in one document and a maximum of 5 pages only, clearly indicating the Position Title in the email subject line. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday 13th January 2021 at 5:00 pm.

Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted. Canvassing will lead to disqualification. Hardcopy applications will not be accepted.