Knowledge Management & Learning (KML) Consultant

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Background of the Project 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. In Kenya, IRC has worked in Nairobi, Garissa, Kajiado, Tana River, West Pokot, Samburu, Turkana and Lamu Counties to help communities reclaim their health, education, economic wellbeing, safety and personal agency. With over 30 years of experience in Kenya, IRC has been reaching clients with innovative and context-relevant interventions across sectors, offering significant ground for learning and lesson-sharing. IRC Kenya seeks to harness, capture and retain institutional knowledge that provides a comprehensive understanding of the processes, approaches, successes, challenges, lessons learned, best practices and recommendations arising from its programming knowledge that is essential for current and future programming and for influencing the policy environment.

To achieve this, IRC Kenya is recruiting a Knowledge Management & Learning (KML) consultant to: train select IRC staff on impact documentation and evidence generation through a series of write shops; support the development of a range of knowledge management and learning (KML) products; lead a post-write shop review and consolidation process to refine and finalize the documentation. Consistent with IRC's outcomes and evidence framework, all documentation will distinguish process, output/reach and outcome/contribution claims, will frame results as IRC's contribution rather than sole attribution, and will peg each product to an appropriate standard of evidence.

Overall Objective

To build the capacity of IRC Kenya staff to integrate evidence-informed learning and impact documentation into day-to-day programming, and to develop a set of high-quality knowledge management and learning (KML) products.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director Programs or her designate and in close collaboration with the Impact documentation task force (Technical Coordinators, County Area Coordinators and METAL), the consultant will:

• Design and facilitate three integrated write shops (Nairobi, Turkana and Garissa) to train IRC staff technical leads, managers, senior/technical officers and partners in impact documentation and technical writing.

• Support sector teams and METAL to define and agree on a set of learning questions to anchor the documentation, evidence generation and KML product development.

• Conduct a desk review of available evidence (METAL data, reports and program documents) to inform the KML products/materials to be developed.

• Lead field visits to Turkana, Garissa and Tana River to collect additional primary data (FGDs, KIIs, observations, photography, videography) and validate findings from the desk review and write shops, in line with informed consent and safeguarding protocols.

• Guide and agree with the team on draft KML products/materials, which may include success/human interest stories, technical briefs, policy briefs, an impact stories booklet and photobook, blogs, short videos/documentaries, After Action Reviews, and best/promising practice write-ups, each pegged to the appropriate standard of evidence.

• Facilitate a post-write shop consolidation and review workshop in Nairobi with the task force, technical teams to review, quality-check and refine draft KML products against the agreed learning questions and evidence.

• Provide editorial support, copy editing, language and quality review, and professional design/layout to finalize the full set of KML products into publication-ready formats, including final safeguarding and Data Protection Act (DPA) compliance checks (consent verification and anonymization where required).

• Support IRC Kenya to produce the various KML products through appropriate media/channels for different audiences.

Deliverables

• Inception report outlining the documentation methodology, agreed learning questions per sector, evidence standards and a detailed work plan.

• Three facilitated write shops delivered (Nairobi, Turkana, Garissa), including training materials and participant drafts.

• A finalized set of learning questions per sector, agreed with sector teams and METAL.

• Desk review/evidence mapping report identifying available data, reports and program documents to inform KML product development.

• Field data collection and validation completed in Turkana, Garissa and Tana River, including case stories, photographs and video content, collected under documented consent and safeguarding protocols.

• Draft KML products developed and presented at the consolidation workshop (technical briefs, policy briefs, human interest stories, impact stories booklet and photobook, blogs, After Action Reviews, best/promising practice write-ups, and short videos/documentaries, as per the agreed shopping list and available evidence).

• Consolidation and review workshop facilitated, with a record of agreed revisions per product.

• Final, professionally edited and designed, publication-ready KML products submitted, with safeguarding compliance (consent forms and anonymization) documented for all products featuring identifiable clients.

• Support delivered to the IRC Kenya learning event, including any presentation or dissemination materials required.

• A final completion report summarizing the assignment, products delivered, lessons learned and recommendations for future documentation work.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master's preferred) in Communications, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Monitoring & Evaluation, Journalism or a related field.

• A minimum of 5–7 years' demonstrated experience in knowledge management, impact documentation, technical/report writing, or communications for humanitarian or development organizations.

• Proven track record of producing high quality knowledge products such as case/human interest stories, technical and policy briefs, photobooks and short documentaries.

• Strong understanding of evidence-based programming, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) systems, and results/outcome frameworks.

• Demonstrated facilitation skills, with experience designing and leading participatory workshops (write shops) for multi-disciplinary teams.

• Excellent written and spoken English; strong editing and storytelling skills.

• Experience working in Kenya, including ASAL and/or refugee-hosting contexts (e.g. Turkana, Garissa, Tana River), is highly desirable.

• Sound knowledge of ethics, informed consent, safeguarding standards and the Kenya Data Protection Act 2019, including experience handling sensitive/identifiable client information and content involving minors.

• Ability and willingness to travel to Nairobi, Turkana, Garissa and Tana River as required by the assignment.

• Where a team is proposed (e.g. with a videographer/photographer), the Lead Consultant will be responsible for overall quality, coordination and delivery of all products.

• Prior experience working with IRC or similar international NGOs will be an added advantage.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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