Learning Coordinator at Raising Voices, Kampala, Uganda

Job Description

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• In collaboration with the Co-Directors, determine and maintain strategic focus for all learning at Raising Voices, in line with the organizational strategy.
• Lead or co-lead periodic strategic reviews and reflections at departmental or cross-departmental level; to further strengthen the organizational learning strategy and enhance synergy across VAW Learning, VAC Learning and organizational learning areas.
•  Keep up to date with emerging developments, evidence, and discourse within the VAW/VAC Prevention field.
• Identify and support decision-making around new strategic directions, initiatives, and research collaborations for rigorous VAW/VAC Prevention learning.
• Promote the credibility and value of practice-based learning by proactively identifying new audiences for our work.
• Embody Raising Voices values and be custodian of the organizational culture.

Technical Expertise:

• Collaboratively design, coordinate and provide technical oversight for internal ‘Program Learning Initiatives’ and research efforts that systematically explore key questions emerging from practice.
• Oversee the development and operationalization of Raising Voices’ organizational Learning & Assessment (L&A) frameworks, including Reflect and Act processes.
• Provide guidance and technical support to staff and partners in collecting high quality data for program indicators and learning initiatives, ensuring alignment with L&A frameworks.
• Guide the analysis and interpretation of data from monitoring, assessment, and learning initiatives, present findings in accessible formats and support the integration of insights.
• Lead the synthesis and documentation of practice-based learning and research findings into creative briefs, popular reports, papers, and other publications with clear implications for practice.
• Lead the preparation of annual and quarterly work plans, budgets, and reports, and support proposal writing related to learning.
• Provide leadership and guidance to Raising Voices’ staff and partners in engaging with the full cycle of learning, promoting a culture of learning and ensuring alignment of learning activities with organizational feminist learning principles.
• Review academic papers developed by research partners, integrating Raising Voices perspectives and values. Ensure research findings are shared internally and externally in accessible language, prioritizing knowledge integration and action.
• Oversee the engagement of consultants by developing, reviewing, and approving the scope of work and deliverables.

Finance and Operational Management:

• Lead the preparation of the work plan and budget for the Learning department and participate in the organizational budget making processes.
• Guided by the authorization matrix, review and approve concept notes and payments, confirming alignment to work plan, approved budgets, and overall Raising Voices strategy.
•  Manage budget and monitor donor spending and allocations for the department, ensuring alignment with reporting and end dates, while promoting efficient resource utilization and value for money in all expenditures.
•  Adhere to all organizational policies, systems, and procedures.
• Participate in or co-create staff meetings, staff development sessions, staff retreats, reviews, strategies, and processes.
• Review and/or submit accountability reports in a timely manner.

External Relations:

• Build and maintain mutually productive relationships with partners and other like-minded organizations.
•  In collaboration with the Co- Directors, deepen and diversify partnerships with activist/women rights organizations, academic / research institutes, thought leaders, and others. Leverage these relationships to generate rigorous evidence of the impact of our work and address knowledge gaps existing in the prevention field.
• In collaboration with the Co-Directors, cultivate effective donor relations.
•  Represent Raising Voices in national, regional, and global forums and events and, delegate team members where appropriate, with appropriate guidance and mentorship. Initiate and coordinate abstract submissions where relevant.
• Hold regular reflections with learning partners to enable strategic evolvement of partnership.
• Work in a feminist, collaborative and accountable way with all members of Raising Voices.

Personal Growth, Team Supervision and Mentorship:

• Provide support and supervision of the Learning team, ensuring capacity is strengthened through mentorship.
• Set annual performance goals with your supervisor (Co-Director) with intentional growth in your area of work.
• Take responsibility for personal and professional development and learning in agreed areas.
•  Take lead on the performance management of the Learning team including support in goals setting and conducting appraisals and review.
•  Continue to deepen a learning culture within Raising Voices and identify new areas of learning from the implementation of activities.

Other:

• Any other related duties assigned.

3. Competencies

Essential Knowledge:

• In depth knowledge and feminist analysis of violence against women and children.
• Understanding of effective VAW/VAC Prevention approaches and the current state of the field. Knowledge of SASA! Together and/or Good School Toolkit is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of various research and learning methods and research ethics
•  Good understanding of monitoring and evaluation systems
•  Good understanding of team coordination and financial management including oversight of large budgets.

Essential Qualities and Skills:

• Strategic thinking and planning to grow learning in line with programs.
• Skilled in analyzing quantitative and qualitative data and translating findings into clear, accessible language.
• Proficient in planning, implementing and managing research related to violence prevention.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills effective for different audiences, including academics/researchers, activists, and practitioners.
•  Commitment to, and experience in leading with feminist values to shape and sustain a diverse and inclusive organizational learning culture.
• Ability to provide technical assistance, team-building, coaching and mentoring, adapting to needs and levels.
•  Ability to develop dynamic and influential relationships with teams and partners.
• Capacity in production and dissemination of publications.
• Exhibit high levels of professionalism, attention to detail, critical thinking, and ability to make timely decisions.
• Keen appreciation of quality and standards with ability to take responsibility for delivering results.

4. Others

Education:

• Minimum – MA Degree in development, social work, gender, human rights fields, or any other related area.
• PhD is an added advantage.

Essential Experience:

• Over 8 years’ experience working with an NGO and substantive experience in violence prevention research or monitoring/evaluation and learning (MEL) roles; at least 5 of which should be in program leadership.
• Strong track record of technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results.
• Proven track record of writing popular resources sharing research/practice based learning (ideally lead authorship). Having co-authored academic articles is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, as well as draw out action-oriented implications for program and policy directions.
• Experience conducting or being part of VAW/VAC research projects