Learning and Adaptation Specialist

The Learning and Adaptation Specialist will provide strategic leadership in fostering a culture of continuous learning, evidence-based decision-making, and adaptive management across CBM’s initiatives and country offices. This role involves designing and facilitating reflective learning processes, developing knowledge-sharing platforms, and building staff and partner capacity to capture, synthesize, and apply learning through innovative tools and compelling storytelling. The primary objective is to ensure that learning is systematically integrated into programmatic and strategic decision-making, driving meaningful change, inclusive participation, and improved outcomes across the organization.

Note: This position is only filled locally in one of CBM’s permanently established entities (e.g., Berlin or Bensheim (Germany), the UK (Cambridge or remote), the US (remote), Nairobi (Kenya), Abuja (Nigeria), Lomé (Togo), Yaoundé (Cameroon), Lusaka (Zambia), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Guatemala City, Kampala (Uganda), Niamey (Niger), etc.). Local contractual conditions of the respective country will apply; expatriation is not intended.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate learning and adaptation by embedding reflective practices, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering evidence-based change across initiatives and countries.
• Develop mechanisms to communicate right-sized data to decision-makers.
• Strengthen staff and partner capacity through tools, workshops, and processes that capture, synthesize, and apply knowledge to inform strategies and decision-making.
• Lead cross-country learning through Pause and Reflect sessions, Global Learning Forums, peer exchanges, and the MERLA Community of Practice, ensuring lessons are documented, shared, and applied.
• Develop and manage knowledge products and digital tools (e.g., AI, visualization platforms) to expand access and engagement.
• Translate technical learning into clear narratives and build staff capacity in storytelling to generate impactful learning assets.
• Lead the Learning Agenda by identifying priorities, documenting findings, and sharing lessons across stakeholders.
• Support change management by capturing and sharing programmatic adaptations and integrating MERLA into fundraising processes.
• Develop metrics to assess the reach and influence of learning on decision-making.
• Represent CBM at meetings, conferences, and with partner networks, and contribute to reports, presentations, and other knowledge products.
• Travel periodically to CBM country offices to facilitate learning, capacity exchange, and partner engagement.