Head of Learning and Innovations

Role profile:

Reporting to the Country Director, the Head of Learning and Innovation will support a range of activities related to communications, documentation, learning and innovation; namely behavioural change communication as designed and implemented under the We Can Work program, leading in-country communications with local internal and external program stakeholders, fulfilling communications and documentation targets within the program, building visibility and recognition of the brand and its work in the country, and highlighting key program achievements and learnings (to a local and international audience).

The role also facilitates effective and systematic brainstorm and "Think-Tank" activities around a specified challenge, leading to development of products, materials and pilot projects. This is a management role and the candidate will have direct line management over the team of MnE specialists. This is to ensure harmonization and a high quality of documentation and learning across projects, therefore the information therein is useful for reporting, and providing input into national policies, and bodies that lobby for inclusion of persons with disabilities in compliance to the UNCRPD.

Key responsibilities:

Developing and implementing strategies for learning and innovation on strategic thematic areas

• Synthesising learning pathways and developing indicators that strategically measure progress made in line with the organisations mission and vision.
• Identifying the learning needs of the organisation for internal processes as well us for external thematic areas, and coming up with processes of fulfilling those learning needs.
• Critical thinking on resource planning and mobilisation, -allocating resources to the learning needs that deserves the highest attention and investment according to the value it adds to the organisation and its partners within the system actors.

Behavioural Change Communication; Content development and management for print and digital media (social media, website)

• Using design thinking principles guide the development of behaviour change campaigns around specific topics within programs of focus of LFTW and developing roll out plans which are SMART.
• Provide guidance on measures of success around the internal and external communication and develop tools and processes that guide the team on performance measurement on avenues used in communicating within behaviour change campaigns.
• Provide support for communications on We Can Work for local and international social media channels and website.
• Develop creative impact reports on communication that is working, based on verifiable indicators.

Manage program-related communications, branding press, media, and PR

• Map stakeholders and channels and ensure periodic communication through the communication strategy and plan.
• Ensure correct application of the Light for the World and We Can Work brand on all external facing products (word documents, ppts, banners, t-shirts, etc.).
• Achieve in-country program-related targets regarding PR and communication. Being smart in developing in country communication plan that resonates with the agendas as envisioned in the strategic plan, as well the real issues relevant in the day
• Ensure all communication has gone through DTP (Desktop Publishing) process, is presentable and is in UNCRPD compliant language.
• Ensure donor-related visibility guidelines are implemented.
• Ensure cordial relations with media for meaningful distribution of information.
• Write press releases that are relevant to current topics and the project, on a regular basis.

Lead the Co-creation, Brainstorm and "Think-Tank" activities

• Leading the design and overall facilitation of co-creation processes and learning events around specified challenges and an agreed learning agenda relating to disability inclusion/ We Can Work.
• Support other brainstorm and "Think-Tank" activities by ensuring the use of creative facilitation techniques and participatory methodologies to drive these processes in a systematic and effective way.
• Ensuring that the output ideas are run through and feasible ones are implemented by the program team.

Development of knowledge products, and communication and resource materials

• Lead content development to feed quarterly Disability Inclusion Insight Briefs
• Lead the development of knowledge products that document good practices, lessons learned and key resource materials to support disability inclusion in Young Africa Works
• Support the good practice data collection process with the YAW partners in the process of development of the knowledge products
• Provide technical input into National policies that are relevant to the result framework of the organisation, paying keen attention to compliance with UNCRPD

Support the MERLA team with documenting qualitative data that illustrate system change and impact

• Document stories of change in different formats like print, clips, animation or photo narratives, ensuring supportive visual content and accessibility of all products

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Degree in Public Relations, Project management, Social Sciences, International relations, international development, Communications, or a related field. Masters level highly preferred.
• Minimum Eight (8) years’ professional experience in communications, public relations, public policy, or a similar field.
• Demonstrable experience in writing engaging print and digital content e.g. case studies, summary reports, blogs, and stories of change, for technical audiences and/or other stakeholders.
• Proven track record of distilling complex information into engaging content that has been used in influencing decisions, and behaviour change.
• Experience in designing and implementing knowledge management strategies.
• Strong team player with an interest in co-creating engaging content. Photography skills desired but not a must.
• Must be a self-starter with proven analytical, and problem-solving skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Must have an experience managing teams, is teachable, and understands how to get the most out of a dedicated team.