Organisational Learning & Design Specialist

Overall Purpose of the Job

The Organisational Learning & Design Specialist is responsible for leading organisation‑wide learning, capability development, and modern curriculum design to strengthen m2m's people, programmes, and culture. This role ensures m2m continues to evolve as a learning organisation by designing, implementing, and evaluating learning strategies, leadership development, and capacity‑building programmes aligned to organisational priorities. This is a highly collaborative function that sits within the People, Culture & Learning Department but carries a shared Level of Effort (LOE 50/50) with the Programmes Department, providing expert curriculum design, instructional design, and facilitation support for programme delivery, Mentor Mother training, and capability strengthening at country and regional levels.

Key Performance Areas

Organisational Learning Strategy & Design

• Lead the design and implementation of an organisation‑wide learning and capability development strategy aligned to m2m's strategic priorities and culture.
• Develop frameworks, tools, and processes to embed a learning organisation ethos across teams, functions, and countries.
• Conduct organisational learning diagnostics to determine capability gaps and future workforce needs.
• Champion digital, blended, and knowledge‑sharing practices.

Curriculum Development & Instructional Design

• Ensure content aligns with evidence, context, and adult learning principles.
• Partner with technical leads to design capacity-building packages.
• Lead quality assurance for programme learning content.

Learning Facilitation, Delivery & Capacity Building

• Facilitate leadership and organisational learning sessions.
• Build internal facilitator capability.
• Support leadership development and competency framework alignment.

Knowledge Management & Learning Systems

• Support implementation of learning systems (LMS, digital tools).
• Strengthen knowledge-sharing practices including communities of practice.
• Ensure accessibility across country contexts.

Learning Evaluation & Impact Measurement

• Develop M&E frameworks for learning.
• Track learning effectiveness and organisational capability change.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations.

Organisational Culture & Change Enablement

• Support change initiatives with learning tools.
• Promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to strategic HR initiatives.

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

Must-Have

• Bachelor's degree in Organisational Development, Adult Education, Instructional Design, Human Resources, Public Health, or related field.
• 5-7 years' experience in organisational learning, OD, instructional design, or capability development.
• Strong curriculum design and adult learning experience.
• Facilitation experience across multiple levels.
• Experience in blended and digital learning.
• Strong organisational diagnostic skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong project management skills.

Nice-to-Have

• Master's degree in OD, Learning & Development, or Instructional Design.
• NGO or public health experience.
• Experience designing technical curricula.
• Experience across multiple African countries.
• Experience implementing LMS tools.

Reporting and Team Structure

• Reports to: Chief People Officer
• Collaborates with: Programmes Technical Leads, HRBPs, Talent Development, Country Directors, Programme Managers, Communications, IT
• Supervises: Consultants or facilitators as needed (no initial direct reports)

Working Conditions

• Full-time role
• Based in Cape Town (Head Office)
• Some travel across sub-Saharan Africa
• Hybrid work options where applicable

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives
• Comprehensive benefits (health, retirement, leave)
• Opportunities for growth, leadership, and professional development