Collaboration Learning and Adapting (CLA) Specialist

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID/Somalia Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS)

TITLE: Collaboration Learning and Adapting (CLA) Specialist

CONTRACT: Long-Term (LTTA)

LEVEL: Specialist

LOCATION: Mogadishu, Somalia, with travel to the field

SUPERVISOR: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director

VACANCY/ REFERENCE NO: DTG_IRiS_037

Project Background:

The Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) program seeks to accelerate economic development for marginalized groups 

in the target areas of Somalia by increasing individual, household, business, and community, and system-wide 

resilience through rural and urban livelihood diversification and promoting inclusive economic market systems to 

combat real perceived grievances that contribute to violent extremism and conflict.

The project will pursue two main objectives: 

1) Strengthen and diversity in rural and urban livelihoods for marginalized groups; and 

2) Promote economic agency of marginalized groups. 

Position Summary:

The CLA Specialist, an organizational learning position, is responsible for overall Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting 

(CLA) responsibilities in their assigned portfolio. This includes, but may not be limited to, working with the Monitoring, 

Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director, and writing appropriate CLA plans for each activity in their region, 

enduring they are aligned with the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP) and work plan. The CLA

Specialist will be tasked with working directly with partners to implement activities and develop learning questions and 

activities that feed into the larger project’s CLA plan. The CLA Specialist will facilitate their assigned learning events 

and work closely with the MEL team to collect the information necessary to answer learning questions. The CLA

Specialist will work closely with the project management and communications team to ensure that as learning questions 

are responded to and updated, the information is transformed into easily accessible and shared with partners and staff. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead all CLA processes at the activity level for the assigned portfolio

• In collaboration with senior management, communication team and program staff, develop individual CLA

plans for each activity, inclusive of:

• Learning Questions

• Learning Events

• Learning Products

• Support the collection and collation of all data required within the activity CLA plans, inclusive of conducting 

key informant interviews, focus group discussions, after action reviews, circulating administering 

questionnaires, or other relevant activities

• Request the support of the program staff to collect data required by the CLA plans when needed – inclusive 

of attending learning events, providing feedback on partner conversations, and sharing activity reports.

• Responsible for seeking assistance from the MERL Director regularly when developing plans, to seek input 

on any complex or unusual activities

• Ensure all CLA products maintain a level of quality consistent with USAID/FCDO expectations

• Support the MERL Director as requested in the development of additional MEL tools, including the AMELP

• Support data collection on the ground to answer learning questions as requested by the MERL Director; 

inclusive helping coordinate logistics required

• Engage MEL Officers and technical Staff in learning processes at the regional level, including facilitating 

discussions after individual activities to discuss lessons learned and potential follow-on activities

• Provide recommendations to program teams on how to improve or build-on completed activities

• Keep up proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant database and visualization programs

• Support in reviewing concept notes and mapping learning priorities.

• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Education and certifications: 

• A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics and related field, master’s

degree is preferred.

Key Position Competencies and Experience:

• Prior experience working on USAID and FCDO-funded projects preferred

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including experience developing visually appealing PowerPoint 

presentations.

• Minimum 7-year experience in developing and using all essential CLA tools such as key informant 

interviews, written questionnaires, and focus group discussions preferred (NOTE: Those with high-quality 

facilitation skills or work history in facilitation/adult learning are highly encouraged to apply)

• Understanding of USAID Complexity Aware Monitoring and Evaluation Approaches (CAMEL), such as 

outcome harvesting and/or most significant change, and/or Developmental Evaluation is preferred

• Understanding of participatory monitoring and evaluation approaches such as most significant change 

and/or Developmental Evaluation is preferred

• Effective written and oral communication as well as interpersonal skills

• Be proactive, have strong prioritization skills, and can work cross-culturally

• Possess demonstrated leadership skills, humility, and self-awareness

• Have a basic understanding of the local and national context relevant to the program

• Fluency in written and oral English and Somali is required.

Competencies:

All employee competencies:

• Strong problem solver (seeks guidance on complex issues)

• Critical thinker & demonstrates sound judgement (interprets & integrates complex information and 

applies procedures; knows when to ask for exceptions)

• Detail oriented (systematically review work prior to submission; raises questions and observations with 

diplomatic tact; rarely repeats errors)

• Exude strong interpersonal skills (uses tact; is a team player; understands the importance of 

completely tasks on time and of high quality)

• Effective communication skills (written and spoken, presentation skills, actively listens, accepts open 

& critical feedback)

• Strives for technical excellence (Understands general programmatic, operational & financial 

dimensions of assigned tasks & procedures; is proactive in engaging with supervisor and other team 

members “one-team” to learn more and progress; works with supervisor to take advantage of relevant 

meetings and presentation inside & outside the office)

• Learning & adapting (dedicated to building new skills, knowledge inside & outside the office;

demonstrates wiliness to be mentored; brings relevant information to supervisor / management team; 

responds positively and openly to change - including new procedures, new strategy new leadership; 

and uses new practices & values to accomplish goals and solve problems)

DT Global Core Competencies:

• Teamwork: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in 

building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust, and commitment. 

• Communication: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally Demonstrates 

effective use of skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts

• Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to 

address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment

• Customer/Client Focused: Anticipates, monitors, and meets the needs of customers and responds to 

them in an appropriate and responsive manner.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive 

behavior and treats everyone fairly. 

• Professionalism: Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity, and personal presentation in the 

workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to complete the DT Global Application Form and submit it as a PDF via email to: 

[email protected]. The deadline for submission is 31st January 2025. Applications will be checked on a rolling 

basis and DT Global has every right to select a suitable candidate before the end of the job advert expiry date.

ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear a response from us after 2 weeks of the deadline, consider your application 

unsuccessful.

 Important Note:

Candidates are strictly prohibited from using AI tools to complete their Application Form. Any detected use of AI will result in 

immediate disqualification. Please ensure your application reflects your genuine skills and experience. ONLY 

applications submitted using the DT Global Application Form will be considered.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply!

DT Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, 

religion, sex, veteran status, or national origin. DT Global prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, 

discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.