Director, Applied Learning

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 setup.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The ideal candidate will bring: 

• Alignment with RTV values of being performance-driven, adaptive, curious, bold, and inclusive.
• Key competencies include robust technical and non-technical communication skills, the ability to integrate diverse perspectives into cohesive strategies, effective problem-solving, and advanced project management. 
• Proven ability to build a department from the ground up and translate a broad vision into concrete systems, tools, and processes.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across training, data insights, and program design.
• Strong ability to translate complex data insights into actionable, field-friendly learning.
• Experience embedding technology and data-informed decision-making into program execution.
• Ability to drive cultural shifts in how staff perceive and use learning & data tools.
• Experience working in high-growth, dynamic organizations with a fast-paced, iterative approach.
• Experience in international development, ultra-poverty reduction, and agricultural livelihoods will be an advantage.

Qualifications

• A Degree in International Development, Program Quality, Learning & Development, or a related field is preferred.
• 10+ years experience in research, strategy development, and learning systems in an applied program setting.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa preferred.

Work Arrangements

• This is a full-time role that may be based in Toronto (Canada) or Mbarara (Uganda). 
• Travel Requirement: Up to 20% in a year to countries of operations