Palladium recruits a Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) Specialist

Company Profile

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. 

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved – and is committed to continuing to improve – economies, societies and most importantly, people’s lives. 

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status. 

Activity Overview and Role

Palladium seeks a CLA Specialist for the Regional Agriculture and Market Systems (RAMS) activity, a 5-year, $23 million task order under USAID’s Regional Integration and Stronger Economics (RISE) IDIQ mechanism. RAMS is designed to promote increased agricultural production, trade, improved policies, finance and investment, and resilience to shocks and stresses in the East Africa region by addressing agricultural issues that can only be solved on a regional basis. RAMS will collaborate closely with USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s regional intergovernmental partners, including the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region. The Activity is organized under four objectives: 1) Strengthening cross-border agricultural market systems, 2) Accessing and scaling technologies, 3) Strengthening regional resilience, and 4) Strengthening the regional agriculture policy and regulatory environment. The RAMS geographic area of focus includes the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zambia.

The CLA Specialist will continually assess the validity of the theory of change and results pathways within the RAMS activity, proactively contributing to suggestions for course corrections or adjustments. S/he will oversee knowledge management and support the dissemination of learnings, working closely with the MEL Manager and the Director of Strategic Communications. S/he will report to the MEL Manager.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support the MEL Manager with M&E efforts, including collection and analysis of data to ensure RAMS is on track to achieve its objectives.
  • Translate findings into actionable takeaways to help the RAMS team tailor activities when required.
  • In collaboration with the Director of Strategic Communications, communicate findings and disseminate learnings.
  • Promote internal collaboration among team members and result areas.
  • Hold monthly staff meetings to discuss strategy and lessons learned and follow-up on after-action reviews and reflection moments, integrating collaborative learning and RAMS’ management.
  • Work externally with beneficiaries through participatory MEL and complementary activities.
  • Integrate learning goals and a learning agenda into the annual work planning process, with updates to identify which items have been resolved and which require more exploration.
  • Collaborate with beneficiaries, especially women and youth, to participate in qualitative data collection and learning forums to ensure that their perspectives are represented.
  • Integrate qualitative data for activity learning to inform and provide context to quantitative measures of impact, improve project management, and understand motivations behind behavior change.
  • Compile and interpret data to implement knowledge management practices within the team.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Statistics, or related area of study or equivalent work experience. Master’s degree preferred.
  • Strong writing, reporting, and presentational skills in English.
  • Strong attention to detail and superior organizational skills.
  • Relevant international development experience, preferably working on USAID economic and/or agricultural development projects.
  • Demonstrated experience in knowledge management as well as gathering, organizing and analyzing large amounts of data.
  • Ability to effectively communicate results that enact change.
  • Strong Preference for Kenyan and East African citizens.

Apply here