2. Organizational Learning and Knowledge Management

• Own the organizational programmatic learning agenda, and focus on advancing continuous evidence-based approaches to inform program evolution. This will also include developing clear processes to translate new research, pilot learnings, and field insights for program refinements and scale-up strategies.
• Design and oversee a structured knowledge management system to house RTV’s evolving program methodologies, impact drivers, and learning insights in an accessible, scalable format.
• Ensure RTV’s learning framework supports rapid replication by documenting clear, adaptable methodologies

ROLE SUMMARY

The Director of Applied Learning is a strategic leader responsible for embedding continuous learning and quality improvement across RTV’s programs. This role transcends traditional learning and training functions by integrating data analytics, adaptive learning systems, and real-time feedback to elevate program performance at the organizational, team, and community levels. You will drive the design, implementation, and evolution of a dynamic learning ecosystem that transforms complex data into actionable insights, informs evidence-based decision-making, and accelerates our mission to end ultra-poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In this role, you will:

• Craft and execute a long-term vision and roadmap for applied learning that aligns with RTV’s strategic priorities.
• Serve as the connective tissue between Venn (data analytics and software development) and Program Implementation to advance our learning and innovation agenda for program methodology in a multi-country set up.
• Build and manage robust knowledge management systems, ensuring that best practices, program methodologies, and field insights are effectively captured and disseminated.
• Lead capacity-building initiatives across multiple levels.
• Represent RTV as a thought leader at industry conferences, donor engagements, and research collaborations, driving sector-wide dialogue on effective, sustainable poverty reduction models.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategy & Leadership

• Define and execute a 3-5 year roadmap for Applied Learning Unit, ensuring it becomes a core function that catalyzes program effectiveness, and data-informed decision-making, for implementation staff, replication partners, and partner communities.
• Lead the Applied Learning department to function as an interdisciplinary hub, working seamlessly with Implementation, Venn (data insights and software development), Planning, Fundraising, and Communications teams.
• Drive a learning-first culture, ensuring that program evolution is informed by both quantitative impact data and qualitative field insights.
• Develop a strong Applied Learning Team based in Toronto and Uganda.

1. Organizational Learning and Knowledge Management

• Own the organizational programmatic learning agenda, and focus on advancing continuous evidence-based approaches to inform program evolution. This will also include developing clear processes to translate new research, pilot learnings, and field insights for program refinements and scale-up strategies.
• Design and oversee a structured knowledge management system to house RTV’s evolving program methodologies, impact drivers, and learning insights in an accessible, scalable format.
• Ensure RTV’s learning framework supports rapid replication by documenting clear, adaptable methodologies.

1. Program Quality and Impact

• Work closely with the Venn team to translate complex data analytics into clear, actionable insights for enhancing program quality and impact.
• Implement learning cycles, where qualitative insights from field teams + data analytics from Venn inform program refinements.
• Establish structured feedback loops where program staff, Learning Hubs, and partners contribute real-time field observations, challenges, and innovations.

1. User Learning & Capacity Building

• Design a structured learning system that ensures implementers understand RTV’s evolving methodology and data-informed approach.
• Develop scalable training resources tailored for Implementation staff, replication partners, government workers and partner communities.
• Ensure that data-informed coaching prompts and recommendations are integrated into implementation tools and decision-making workflows.

1. Stakeholder Collaboration

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to drive impactful research initiatives, program design improvements, and methodology evolution.
• Lead cross-departmental project-specific committees focused on program learning and innovation.
• Contribute to proposal development and donor reporting, ensuring evidence summaries are accessible.
• Represent RTV’s learning model at sector-wide conferences, donor meetings, and research partnerships.
• Position RTV as an influential knowledge leader in data-informed livelihoods and ultra-poverty graduation models.