Officer, Training and Development

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) envisions transformative change toward gender-responsive solutions that will catalyze lasting impact for equitable agri-food systems. They invest in women’s leadership, equip professionals to integrate gender in their work, strengthen institutions, and impact the enabling environment. AWARD is hosted by World Agroforestry (ICRAF), a member of the CGIAR.

The Officer, Training and Development will provide essential support to Senior Training Officers, focusing on the coordination of AWARD's virtual and in-person training programs. This involves ensuring the seamless planning, efficient delivery, and thorough follow-up of all training activities and associated deliverables. Key responsibilities span coordinating training for fellowship programs and partner institutions, actively participating in curriculum design and content development, managing trainers and resource persons, overseeing knowledge management for training courses, facilitating pre-course and post-training follow-up activities, and maintaining strong relationships with AWARD's training stakeholders.

1. Coordinate AWARD training activities for fellowship programs and partner institutions, including timely planning, scheduling, and execution of courses.
2. Prepare course materials in line with AWARD’s training standards.
3. Outline and communicate training venue requirements to relevant operational units.
4. Effectively communicate with participants regarding course schedules, requirements, pre-course activities, and deadlines, while monitoring their progress.
5. Administer course assessments, track participant progress, and generate comprehensive reports.
6. Provide on-site support during training delivery, ensuring the availability of tools and equipment and addressing the needs of trainers and participants.
7. Offer online technical support during virtual training events, including configuring breakout rooms, polls, waiting rooms, registration, interpretation channels, captions, and recordings.
8. Orient trainers, staff, and participants on virtual delivery tools and best practices.
9. Maintain accurate records of training attendance, completion, and evaluation reports.
10. Attend inter-unit meetings that support training deliveries.
11. Actively participate in the planning and design of curriculum for in-person and virtual AWARD courses.
12. Collaborate with subject matter experts to design, develop, review, and update AWARD course curriculum and content.
13. Develop learning modules that integrate synchronous (live) and asynchronous (self-paced) learning components.
14. Integrate inclusive and accessible learning practices into course design.
15. Develop pre-course and post-course learning activities to extend learning beyond live sessions.
16. Develop facilitator guides, learner guides, workbooks, and session plans for in-person, virtual, and hybrid delivery.
17. Ensure content is optimized for delivery through the Learning Management System (LMS).
18. Review and update existing curricula to ensure relevance, quality, and alignment with emerging trends and AWARD training standards.
19. Recommend and incorporate digital learning tools and technologies for both in-person and virtual trainings that enhance learner engagement and collaboration.
20. Manage the contracts and terms of reference of AWARD Trainers and other training resource persons in compliance with ICRAF and AWARD guidelines.
21. Support the recruitment and onboarding of trainers and other resource persons.
22. Maintain and update the trainers’ database, including areas of expertise and qualifications matrix.
23. Actively participate in the allocation of trainers to various training activities as per AWARD’s workplan.
24. Help prepare training budgets related to trainers’ engagement, training materials, and tools.
25. Assist in drafting, reviewing, and processing trainer contracts, service agreements, and Terms of Reference (TORs).
26. Ensure all trainer contracts are signed and filed in the designated folders.
27. Track contract timelines, expiration dates, and renewals of training service providers.
28. Ensure compliance with HR, procurement, or donor-related requirements.
29. Maintain records of trainer payments and provide the Finance Unit with relevant documentation to facilitate payment processing.
30. Ensure that trainers receive training briefs, programs, training materials, travel, and logistical support.
31. Attend and provide feedback during training post-session debriefs with the trainers.
32. Manage the knowledge management of AWARD training courses content, resources, tools, and the Learning Community Portal.
33. Ensure physical and digital learning resources such as workbooks, slides, handouts, and reports are filed and easily accessible.
34. Support the development and maintenance of vibrant learning resources repositories for AWARD training courses.
35. Assist in collecting, organizing, and categorizing training materials and reports.
36. Ensure consistency, quality, and accuracy of information stored in knowledge systems.
37. Gather reports, analyze participants’ and facilitators’ feedback, and share with relevant units.
38. Ensure current virtual learning platforms and digital collaboration tools are updated, available, and accessible when required.
39. Assist with analyzing learning portal usage and identifying gaps or improvement areas.
40. Provide support to staff in accessing or retrieving training-related materials.
41. Support the development, administration, and follow-up of pre and post-training activities for participants.
42. Customize existing pre-course activities and communicate requirements to participants.
43. Administer assessment tests and surveys.
44. Generate and disseminate reports.
45. Follow up on participants’ post-training requirements and expected outputs.
46. Undertake continuous improvement and innovation by conducting periodic curriculum reviews based on participant feedback, learning analytics, and organizational priorities.
47. Review training materials to ensure consistency, instructional quality, branding, and accessibility.
48. Maintain cordial working relationships with partner institutions, development partners, and other related stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery of AWARD courses.
49. Assist in facilitating communication between training partners, participants, and AWARD.
50. Schedule and document meetings with stakeholders.
51. Follow up on action items and requests from participants, trainers, and related stakeholders.
52. Maintain a contact database of key stakeholders and partners.
53. Prepare formal congratulatory messages to AWARD training alumni and stakeholders for key milestones as necessary.
54. Follow up on disputes or complaints from participants and trainers and ensure they are addressed by the relevant units/office.

1. Master’s degree in education, training and development, or a related field.
2. At least 5 years of progressive experience in capacity development and managing training programs, preferably within an international or regional organization.
3. Professional certification in virtual facilitation and learning technologies, or e-learning instructional design.
4. Demonstrated experience providing technical support in virtual and blended learning environments using digital learning technologies and learner engagement techniques.
5. Experience administering a Learning Management System (LMS).
6. Experience providing technical support during live online events.
7. Working knowledge of the French language is an added advantage, given partners and participants from francophone countries.
8. Ability to manage and lead hybrid teams.
9. Expertise and experience in delivering training or capacity development interventions on gender-responsive approaches in agrifood systems would be an added advantage.