Knowledge Management Director, Transforming Local Food Processing

Arlington, VA, United States

Description Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of work around the world for more than 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Overview:

TechnoServe is preparing for a global opportunity with USAID focused on transforming the local food processing sector to provide for the greater availability of safe and nutritious foods. Building on TechnoServe's rich history in the food processing sector, the program will leverage the power of the private sector to create better nutritional outcomes for base-of-the-pyramid consumers and more profitable market opportunities for local farmers. This will be achieved by working with local food processing companies in priority USAID countries to support better business practices, more durable market linkages, and improved knowledge.

Job Summary:

TechnoServe seeks a Knowledge Management Director to lead the implementation of the program's adaptive management approach, driving evidence synthesis and thought leadership across various countries and regions. The Knowledge Management Director will lead and facilitate cross-component learning and collaboration, both internally and externally, and advise the Technical Leads and the Chief of Party. The Knowledge Management Director will report to the Chief of Party.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

Champion and foster a culture of facilitating continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and adaptive management across the implementing team, including partner organizations, by applying the principles of CLA

Develop and foster communities of practice, networks, and other dissemination tools to ensure the uptake of evidence generated by the project. Develop and lead the strategy for influencing the public and private sector on evidence-based approaches.

Provide technical oversight for all MEL and communications-related deliverables, ensuring they meet both TechnoServe and USAID quality standards.

Conduct global and regional Knowledge Management Assessments

Manage the program's knowledge hub platform to systematically identify case studies and recorded best practices that will be shared with a wide range of audiences and key stakeholders

Lead the implementation of the Activity's communication framework and ensure the strategy is aligned with the program's global priorities

Capture and disseminate stories that demonstrate program impact through increased accountability, cross-sectoral collaboration, fostered trust, and sustainability.

Engage with academic institutions and other relevant publication platforms to develop knowledge products and thought pieces highlighting program success and support the organization of events where these can be shared with private and public sector partners and civil society organizations in the targeted countries

Actively seek out new and creative ways to effectively develop and reach the Activity's growing global network via online platforms.

Collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and project staff to lead the development of compelling and creative content that demonstrates the impact of fortification programs and lessons learned, including media channels, and other materials and publications.

Basic Qualifications:

A master's degree or equivalent in international development, economics, statistics or other relevant fields with seven years of relevant professional experience (or a bachelor's degree with over ten years of experience)

At least seven years' professional experience in knowledge management, MEL and communications, including evidence synthesis, M&E methods and approaches, including designing, planning and implementing M&E systems, data analysis and assessment, as well as reporting using logical framework and other strategic planning approaches.

Working knowledge of both impact investing and nonprofit communications techniques.

Demonstrated experience with USAID M&E, reporting, and communications standards.

Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders.

Previous experience working on USAID funded programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional qualifications that would make a candidate more desirable. We seek candidates who bring experience with:

Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Excellent communication and presentation abilities with proven experience leading webinars and managing online learning platforms (Zoom, Google Meets, etc.)

Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams is desired.

Required Languages: Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, in English. Fluency in French, Swahili, Portuguese, and/or Spanish is preferred.

Travel: Travel up to 25%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Exceptional communications skills (written, oral, presentation)

Exceptional interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to lead diverse teams and achieve results

Demonstrated ability to coordinate, engage and manage relationships with a wide range of organizations (Private sector, government, NGOs, universities/research institutions)

Demonstrated ability to capture, synthesize, and present programming and organizational successes and lessons learned.

Demonstrated ability to convey messages through clear and concise writing

Ability to effectively motivate and manage teams in a multi-cultural environment

Ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and activities

Ability to clearly communicate a high level strategy to internal and external stakeholders, while driving execution of a work plan and achievement of short-term milestones.

Supervisory Responsibilities - This position will directly supervise the program's MEL Manager and Communications Manager.

This position is contingent upon the activity award and approval by the donor.

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at or call +1 202 785 4515.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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