PEARL Learning and Outreach Specialist

Position Summary: 

Nickol Global Solutions (NGS) is seeking a Learning & Outreach (L&O) Officer to serve on the Peacebuilding Evaluation, Analysis, Research, and Learning (PEARL) task order supporting the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization (CPS) Center for Conflict and Violence Prevention (CVP).

PEARL supports the delivery of conflict and violence-related analyses, assessments, and evaluations to improve USAID’s ability to identify the systems that facilitate or diminish armed conflict and violence in the places where USAID works; to provide USAID with actionable recommendations for providing its assistance in such a way as to effectively prevent, manage, or mitigate violent conflict and its effects; and to contribute to the evidence base for effective peacebuilding and violence prevention development interventions. Learning, and dissemination of that learning, is a key feature of the project’s approach, and the L&O Officer will work under the guidance of the PEARL Senior L&O Specialist to capture and share lessons learned from PEARL’s portfolio of buy-in activities.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing woman-owned small business solidifying its reputation as a high-quality USAID implementing partner. NGS staff are highly adaptive, entrepreneurial, comfortable with ambiguity, inclusive, good listeners, and have both good judgment and a good sense of humor.  We are looking for candidates who are energetic and professional; creative yet systems-oriented; committed to making a difference globally; and eager to learn about what works in international development.

Duties:

The Learning and Outreach Specialist will have the overall responsibility for:

• Reflecting CVP’s Development Objective 1 to “Deepen USAID’s Peacebuilding Expertise,” they will help provide the connective tissue between PEARL buy-in activities, synthesizing data, and disseminating evidence the TO generates
• The L&O Officer’s primary responsibility is to support the three objectives of the PEARL Learning Strategy:

1. The PEARL Management Team captures and applies learning generated from buy-in activities to deliver high-quality support

2. PEARL learning informs evidence-based decision-making in the USAID Peacebuilding Community of Practice (COP), including but not limited to key decisions around program and strategy design, activity adaptation, and improved conflict analysis and evaluation

3. PEARL disseminates and ground-truths lessons learned and knowledge products with the external peacebuilding COP

• Supporting the development and implementation of innovative mechanisms to identify, capture, and disseminate best practices in evidence-based peacebuilding to PEARL’s key audiences
• Researching, synthesizing, and presenting findings to support the PEARL TO Learning Strategy lines of inquiry, in close coordination with CVP and the Senior L&O Specialist
• Participating in the design and implementation of each TO activity’s learning elements, including adaptive management, connections to PEARL’s lines of inquiry, and plans for Mission integration of findings
• Seeking out and leveraging concrete opportunities for CVP to share evidence, including through conferences, academic journals, media engagements, and the Learning Lab
• Designing and producing PEARL knowledge products including case studies, resource spotlights, learning briefs, and one-pagers that effectively communicate complex topics
• Supporting the design and facilitation of pause-and-reflect sessions to identify lessons learned and areas for adaptation

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in a social science (public policy, sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, international relations) and a minimum of 2 years’ experience (with a Masters) or 5 years’ experience (with a Bachelors) in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL); communications and outreach; and/or knowledge management expertise.
• Working knowledge of USAID’s approach to conflict analysis.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and qualitative research skills.
• Demonstrated experience in mixed methods design, qualitative and quantitative data collection, statistical analysis, and the application of participatory research methods.
• Demonstrated experience using a variety of MEL approaches, including theory of change, results framework, performance indicators, data collections tools, and bespoke MEL tools.
• Experience leading or supporting workshops to integrate project learning into activities, to guide evidence-based corrections, and to build capacity of local staff/partners.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with different donors, civil society organizations, and host country government counterparts.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to travel internationally to conflict-affected areas, as needed.
• English fluency required, proficiency in at least one language other than English preferred.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US for any employer without sponsorship.

About NGS:

Nickol Global Solutions (NGS) provides a wide range of management consulting and advisory services designed to fortify stakeholder capacity and effectiveness, including in public institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector firms. In the U.S. and overseas, NGS helps public and private sector clients assess and develop capacity; optimize performance and quality objectives; enhance transparency and accountability; measure success; and communicate about their work—all with the aim of advancing development objectives even in the most complex operating environments. For more information, please visit https://www.nickolglobal.com/

NGS is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.