MI2 Learning and Organizational Development Team Lead

About Environmental Incentives  

Environmental Incentives’ Mission is to enhance the environments that sustain healthy communities. We empower public and private sector leaders to maximize the effectiveness of their conservation and development programs. Our clients trust us to design and support implementation of programs that (1) use evidence to develop effective strategies within complex systems, (2) center local stakeholder experiences and facilitate collective action, and (3) produce results that support learning about what works. Environmental Incentives is a certified B Corporation with offices located in Washington, DC, South Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Nairobi, and Lima (pending registration). Our remote staff and consultants are based in multiple states within the United States, and across five continents.  

OPPORTUNITY

Environmental Incentives seeks to hire one or two MI2 Learning and Organizational Development Team Leads to join our growing Biodiversity Portfolio to support USAID’s Measuring Impact II (MI2) activity. Under this activity, we are working with USAID’s Biodiversity Division to increase the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation programming by finding out what works, what doesn’t, and why. Through support to USAID’s Biodiversity cross mission learning program, MI2 is helping to connect USAID staff, facilitate knowledge and experience sharing, and foster collaboration to capture and share global lessons for common conservation strategic approaches.

The work of the MI2 team includes assisting USAID staff to incorporate core concepts of the Conservation Standards into activity design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning; conducting research, evaluations, and assessments; planning and facilitating workshops and learning activities (virtual and in-person as circumstances allow); developing communications plans and products and ensuring excellent knowledge management; and delivering Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning support. This includes support to agency-wide and regional learning agendas, establishing and nurturing learning networks, identifying and filling evidence gaps through assessments, case studies, or literature review, and organizing learning events such as webinars and conferences.

The MI2 Learning and Organizational Development Team Lead(s) will focus on leading teams and working with clients to synthesize and scale learning approaches to increase the effectiveness of biodiversity programs. You will also be expected to quickly grasp complex coordination needs and set clear paths for team members and clients alike, managing adaptively in response to emerging priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To help our clients advance and stay at the cutting edge of what they do, we seek to motivate employees to learn, discover, and grow. As an MI2 Learning and Organizational Development Team Lead, you will be taking on a variety of client- and internally focused tasks that include technical project implementation and project management. With a growth mindset focused on learning and improving your skills over time, you will:

• Understand and add value to our client’s vision for success. Develop and implement a work plan and staffing plan to meet that vision.
• Lead technical teams in scoping and delivering work for USAID’s Biodiversity Division in the areas of organizational learning, program effectiveness, adaptive management, and strategic communications. Oversee management of activity budgets and reporting.
• Foster excellent, trusting working relationships with clients and partners.
• Proactively and collaboratively identify solutions as challenges arise in managing the work of a team and a client relationship.
• Help the MI2 team and EI meet the highest quality standards of relationship management, quality service, and creating durable and innovative products.
• Actively drive learning from implementation of MI2 across the MI2 implementing team, across the client’s teams, and, as appropriate, with other EI staff.
• Manage the work of EI staff, subcontractors, and consultants. Nurture career progression and professional growth.
• Model and add to EI culture and help EI teams live our principles and values. An important indicator of success in this area is nurturing conditions for MI2 to work as a high-functioning team while also cultivating connections and engagement with other teams across EI.
• Contribute to growing EI’s impact beyond currently contracted work, through client engagement activities, marketing, and new business development.
• EI anticipates hiring up to two individuals under this recruitment. While the Responsibilities listed above will be common to both individuals hired, there will be a division of tasks based on client and team needs. EI anticipates that one individual will serve in an Acting Deputy Chief of Party role during an upcoming family leave.

QUALIFICATIONS

Our team members are talented, creative, and inspired professionals who provide technical support in a growing practice while being flexible enough to add their unique perspectives to our company’s culture. If you are passionate and thrive on teamwork, you are probably a great fit for our team!

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 9+ years of experience; Master's degree and 7+ years relevant experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with current issues and practices in biodiversity conservation, nature-based solutions, climate and integrated development.
• Experience working with USAID, the Program Cycle and the Collaborating, Learning and Adapting approach.
• Experience managing the work of senior staff and coaching other team members in your area of technical expertise and creating client deliverables in that area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing multiple client relationships and facilitating multi-stakeholder processes, including co-creating visions of success with clients and executives and managing the contributions of multiple expert contributors and teams to deliver a variety of products that support that vision.
• Demonstrated experience managing teams with practices that amplify EI’s principles and values.
• Experience and confidence in public speaking and communicating complex ideas clearly and effectively.
• Experience leading initiatives in international development and international environmental conservation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with Conservation Standards tools and processes and application to USAID biodiversity programming.
• Proven ability to effectively engage audiences through expert facilitation, decision support tools and adult learning techniques.
• Problem-solving orientation and growth mindset.
• Ability to work across cultures and in multi-lingual contexts.
• Ability to work effectively with, listen to, respect, and celebrate the contributions of others, including others of different cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Professional proficiency in Spanish and/or French is a plus. 
• Willingness and ability to be available outside of regular office hours for client calls and other time-sensitive tasks.
• Ability to use and, to a limited extent, troubleshoot a variety of online, desktop productivity, and collaboration software including Microsoft Office Suite (including Teams), Google Office Suite, Zoom, Mural, Miro, etc.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Legally authorized to work in the US with no restrictions.
• Criminal background check is required.

BASE STATION AND COVID-19 POLICY

The position will be based in Washington, D.C. Environmental Incentives is implementing a hybrid work model in which employees will be required to work in the office approximately two days per week.

Proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 or legally authorized exemption is required for all Environmental Incentives employees working in the United States, regardless of office location or remote work. Selected candidates will be required to provide proof of full vaccination before beginning employment with Environmental Incentives. Full vaccination is defined as 2 weeks after the final dose of the requisite vaccination.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The starting salary for this position is commensurate with experience. Environmental Incentives also offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-funded medical, dental, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance for employees, and the option to enroll in supplemental life insurance. 
• Highly competitive 401k contributions that start on day one of your employment. Did we mention we offer environmentally responsible investment options?  
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time. You’ll also get paid time off opportunities each year to vote and volunteer at a charity of your choice!  

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application no later than June 3, 2022. On a rolling basis throughout the application period, we will review applications and contact qualified candidates for additional information.

ENVIRONMENTAL INCENTIVES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

We are committed to developing an inclusive work environment for all employees, where diversity of thought, style, culture, and skill is valued in support of individual performance and potential, as well as our business goals and mission. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This Organization Participates In E-Verify. 

Reasonable Accommodation:

Applicants with disabilities may contact Environmental Incentives coordinators via telephone, e-mail, and other means to request and arrange for accommodations. If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time. Please contact Human Resources:

Brenda Ables

Director of Human Resources

Phone: (202) 525-2450

Email: hr@enviroincentives.com