Save the Children Learning, Knowledge Management and Accountability (LKM) Specialist 111 views

ROLE PURPOSE:
To systematically design, implement and maintain a system for gathering, interpreting and managing multiple forms of indicative information and resource documents necessary for learning along with managing the knowledge generated by and necessary for the successful implementation and continuous improvement of the programmes. He/she will lead in rolling out of Learning Pathways by supporting thematic Heads/Technical Advisors, MEAL and OPs team to implement standardised tools for knowledge management and learning as part of the overall MEAL strategy and systems, ensuring that such systems are institutionalized within CO at all levels from SMT to field offices level management. S/He will work with SC-A project staff and partners to ensure participation and feedback with beneficiaries especially children are provided. The position holder is also expected to coordinate management of CRM toll-free line and database and produce monthly reports to Program Managers and SLT.
In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Head of Research, Evidence and MEAL
Staff reporting to this post: Learning and Accountability Officer

Budget Responsibilities: N/A
Role Dimensions: Working closely with PI team to implement activities and IT team to develop knowledge sharing platforms.

KEY AREAS OF Learning, Knowledge Management and Accountability (LKM&A):

Technical Leadership
• Provide overall supervision and leadership on the LKM and Accountability functions and strategy in the country office
• Lead in developing and reviewing the CO Learning Pathways strategy/protocol in consultation with PDQ and OPs leads
• Work with program team to operationised the Learning Pathways and ensure its institutionalised with routine program.
• Develop project guidelines on complaints, response and feedback management and review them periodically.
• Orient and build capacity of both project and partner MEAL staff on accountability and CRM.
• Prove supervision, mentorship and professional development to staffs on MEAL/LKM system
• Ensure MEAL evidences (IPTT, project performance/action trackers, output tracker, review meetings, CoP etc) are used for management decision making and continuous performance improvement and be part of the Hub level management team members
• Work with COMS team to ensure evidence generated through MEAL systems is communicated to different stakeholders in a simple and easy to understand form.
• Work with COMS and Research and Evaluation Specialist to develop research or evaluation briefs or facts sheet
• Work closely with PDQ team members to promote understanding of the importance of KM&L to achieve quality programming
• Provide the key link between the PDQ and Programme Implementation Strategy teams, to ensure that KM&L is promoted as a key tool in programme management and strategy development
• Through the MEAL Managers/Coordinators, support field offices to prioritise KM&L and identify entry points
• Provide leadership on the LKM system of the country office and MEAL evidences are used for programme improvement

KML System Design, Roll-Out and Management
• Working closely with the Head of Research, Evidence and MEAL to design SCI’s approach to knowledge management and learning, setting down the minimum requirements (following SCI MOS) and ensuring that it complements and forms part of the overall MEAL system
• Ensure that a learning culture is fostered within the organisation and the KM&L is an integral element of programming
• Working with the Head of Research, Evidence and MEAL to develop the associated tools required to implement the KM&L minimum requirements to ensure that roll-out is standardized across themes and operational areas where relevant.
• Work with IT team to develop a user friendly database for lessons learnt and best practices which can easily be assessed by staff.
• Document project success or significant change stories, lessons and challenges for learning.
• Manage the action tracker database, analyse key issues coming from the Action Tracker and regular share them with SMT, ESMT and Area Office based management team.
• Keep track of all project evaluations/studies and, in coordination with Project managers, Technical Advisors and Research and Evaluation Specialist
• Capture and disseminate lessons learned from evaluations and follow up on action planning, maintain a lessons learned database
• Ensure that learning is accessed and used as an integral part of programme design and implementation and Beyond Project Scope actions are systematic reviewed and shared with thematic and new business development team for consideration in the new program design.
• As required provide trainings to raise awareness on the importance of learning
• Lead knowledgebase planning, initial load execution and all future maintenance planning. Compose a range of strategies and practices used at organizational level to identify, create, represent, distribute, and enable adoption of new organizational knowledge.
• Determine long-term and short-term strategic plans to achieve the objectives of the organization. Provide guidance to subordinates to achieve goals in accordance with established policies.

Accountability

• Ensure that all program staff fully understand and promote accountability in general and to children in particular, through training and coaching and enhancing adherence to the CH standards
• Contribute to improvements in existing policies and procedures to enhance effective accountability mechanisms
• Manage and follow up on project complaints from CRM database and work with Team to ensure all complaints are completed
• Ensures that a proper complaints mechanism is in place and that all project stakeholders are sensitised on how to use the complaints mechanism
• Ensures that there is no any form of exploitation and discrimination (based on any grounds) of project beneficiaries at all times during the lifespan of the project
• Incorporate in program report issues related to accountability and community participation
• Ensure that participation and accountability activities are well documented and learning is shared within Save the Children and implementing partners
• By facilitating information sharing with key stakeholders, including partners and beneficiaries, ensure that Save the Children promotes transparency throughout all stages of implementation
• Ensure that programme activities are designed to promote feedback and response mechanisms and include systems to effectively manage complaints.

Programme Development
• With the Head of Research, Evidence and MEAL and TAs to feed into programme and proposal design to ensure that new programme design is based on previous learning
• Make sure that technical advisors have easy access to learning documents for reference purpose

Communication and Reporting
• Coordinate and consolidate CO quarterly and annual PDQ related reports (KPIs and narrative) and advise on trends of performance of CO KPIs.
• Support efforts to improve learning systems and planning processes to ensure knowledge and evidence are fully utilized to improve program design and implementation, as well as inform policy and advocacy initiatives with external stakeholders in Afghanistan and regionally
• Coordinate, collaborate and oversee best practice consolidation with all thematic areas, ensure that the knowledge base is configured appropriately for optimum performance and widely adopted use.
• Promote learning in the country office, particularly on issues of programme quality. Regularly analyze and produce reports on best practices and case studies; ensure new analysis and information is available, including for the forthcoming communications strategy.
• Schedule reports’ dissemination via SharePoint and email (subscription option i.e. employees can subscribe to reports that they want to receive)
• Ensure effective storage of assessment, surveys and evaluations and/or organizational knowledge on the shared folders, and to use this knowledge base to promote learning across the organisation
• To manage and lead on key pieces of M&E research and development, for example providing advice on how SC determines issues of attribution/contribution
• One-pagers describing the project, key activities, approaches, outcomes and impacts.
• Produce case studies, best practices; lessons learned and project audit documents for internal and external use.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability:
• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
QUALIFICATIONS 
• Minimum of first degree in an area of social development or equivalent.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
• Experience of designing and managing knowledge management systems, an awareness of learning methodologies and experience of leading learning events
• Demonstrated commitment to creating a learning culture.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating multiple tasks and working with multiple stakeholders.
• Good IT skills in MS word, excel, publisher and data visualisation and inforgraphics.
• Awareness of international quality standards (Red Cross Code of Conduct, Sphere Standard, HAP Standard) and proven experience of using these standards in practical ways to promote quality and accountable programming
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including presentation skills
• Experience in working on projects on child participation, safeguarding and/or protection
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind-sets
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner, and to use innovative forms of communication
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• Fluency in national language required
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written essential.
• Commitment to Save the Children values
Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
Equal Opportunities
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Child Safeguarding:
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Safeguarding our Staff:
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.
Health and Safety
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

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