Senior Learning & Development Specialist

Church World Service (CWS) Africa is seeking a seasoned Senior Learning & Development Specialist to lead the design, development, and implementation of impactful learning solutions across its Africa operations. This role sits within the Human Resources team and plays a central part in aligning staff capability-building initiatives with organisational strategy, ensuring every learning intervention delivers measurable value to CWS Africa's humanitarian mission.

A key technical responsibility of this position is serving as the primary administrator of the organisation's e-Learning Management System (eMLS — powered by Moodle), working hand-in-hand with the Software Development team to maximise the utility of digital learning tools. The successful candidate will collaborate with Subject Matter Experts, programme managers, and senior leadership to create interactive, learner-centred experiences that close skill gaps and drive performance across the organisation.

• Lead strategic planning input for learning and development (L&D) aligned with CWS Africa programme goals.
• Champion CWS policies, procedures, and organisational culture through targeted awareness programmes and staff engagement strategies.
• Conduct thorough learning needs assessments by partnering with supervisors and department heads to identify skill gaps, performance deficiencies, and development opportunities.
• Design, develop, and facilitate engaging training sessions, workshops, and blended learning interventions — both in-person and virtually.
• Administer and continuously improve the CWS Africa eMLS (Moodle), ensuring staff can navigate courses, quizzes, and surveys with confidence.
• Collaborate with the Software Development team to plan and execute timely system upgrades and platform improvements.
• Develop robust evaluation frameworks (Kirkpatrick or equivalent) to measure the effectiveness and ROI of all learning programmes.
• Manage the L&D project pipeline from inception to completion — on time, within budget, and to CWS Africa quality standards.
• Maintain the L&D mailbox, training calendar, and helpdesk to ensure seamless learner support.
• Contribute to the development of job knowledge and hiring assessments in partnership with hiring supervisors.
• Support planning and coordination of offsite and external training opportunities.
• Apply cost-saving measures to optimise the L&D budget without compromising quality.
• Participate in recruitment interviews and broader HR functions as required.

• Demonstrate at least 5 years of progressive experience in Learning & Development, Organisational Development, or a related HR function — preferably within an NGO or INGO setting.
• Design and deliver end-to-end instructional content using e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate) and LMS platforms, particularly Moodle.
• Conduct structured learning needs analyses and translate findings into actionable L&D strategies.
• Facilitate high-quality training for diverse, multicultural audiences across varying literacy and technical levels.
• Apply recognised instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, or equivalent) to build scalable learning solutions.
• Manage multiple L&D projects simultaneously using strong organisational and project management skills.
• Use data and evaluation metrics to demonstrate the impact of training on individual and organisational performance.
• Communicate complex concepts clearly in both written and verbal form to senior stakeholders and field staff alike.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Education, Organisational Development, or a related field; a postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
• Demonstrate proficiency with virtual collaboration tools (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet) and Microsoft Office Suite.

CWS Africa offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and in line with INGO sector standards in Kenya. The estimated monthly gross salary for this role ranges from KES 180,000 to KES 280,000. CWS Africa is committed to staff wellbeing and provides a comprehensive benefits package typical of a reputable international NGO.

• Medical insurance cover for staff and dependants
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning
• Collaborative and mission-driven work environment
• Annual leave and other statutory entitlements as per Kenyan labour law

This role is ideal for an experienced L&D professional who is passionate about building human capacity in the humanitarian sector and is comfortable operating at both a strategic and hands-on level. You thrive in a fast-paced, multi-country NGO environment, enjoy working with technology, and can translate complex organisational needs into practical, engaging learning experiences. You are self-driven, detail-oriented, and can manage stakeholders at all levels.

Please do not apply if you have fewer than 5 years of relevant L&D experience, have no prior exposure to LMS administration, or are seeking a purely administrative HR role. This position requires both creative instructional design capability and strong technical aptitude.

• Prepare an updated CV and a cover letter clearly articulating your experience in L&D and LMS administration.
• Include specific examples of learning programmes you have designed and their measurable outcomes.
• Submit your application through the official CWS Africa careers portal or the job platform where this posting appeared.
• Ensure your application clearly references the position title: Senior Learning & Development Specialist.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CWS Africa is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of gender, background, or disability status.