This position is a 3-year fixed term contract based in Yarmouthport, MA

                         Staff work a hybrid schedule with 3 days/week in the office

IFAW is embarking on a three-year pilot project to develop a world-class Center of Excellence in Animal Rescue (CEAR).  The center will serve as a trusted resource of best practices in animal rescue for responders, planners and policy makers from all over the world. Through training initiatives and courses, research and information dissemination initiatives, the Center will provide cost-effective services that turn research based knowledge of best practices into volunteer and staff certification trainings, curated resource materials and accessible information sharing platforms and convenings (virtual or face-to-face).  The Director will oversee the Center’s operational activities including staff performance; research collection, documentation and dissemination; training curricula development, outreach, delivery, and evaluation; collaborative partnerships; and budget management. Along with the AR DVP and the AR Operations Manager, the Director will develop, implement and evaluate the Center’s strategies and initiatives to ensure goals and objectives are achieved.  The Director will supervise Center staff in their day-to-day performance and responsibilities and work on-site with IFAW facilities and IT staff to advance the Center’s mission.

Role and Responsibilities

 Education and training

• Liaise with AR program directors or their delegates to evaluate global training needs and identify training gaps;
• Lead planning of continuous adult learning initiatives that include best practices in animal rescue practices drawn from consultations with relevant IFAW colleagues and documented research;
• Oversee development of specific animal rescue curricula, course materials and evaluation processes that implement initiatives and reflect best practices in adult learning relevant to the technical and engagement needs of staff, volunteers and other participants;
• Identify potential clients, customers and trainees within and outside the IFAW corporate community;
• Design and implement a learning management system content for both face-to-face and online learning;
• Develop a marketing and outreach plan to recruit participants (with support from communications department);
• Develop scenarios of fee-based systems for trainings, convenings and resource dissemination where appropriate;
• Develop and implement plan for accreditation of training courses.

Resource Collection, Cataloguing, and Dissemination

• Manage the identification and collection of resources related to best practices in animal rescue training, policies and technical expertise
• Oversee the vetting of collected best practice resources
• Collaborate with Center staff, Communications Department and the IT Department on resource branding, format, tracking and design of accessible platforms for dissemination
• Coordinate usage assessment of disseminated resources
• Ensure integration of research findings related to best practices into trainings, convenings and document dissemination.

Project management

• Serve as the Project Coordinator and Implementation Lead for the Center;
• Ensure a seamless integration of Center services linking research documentation to training development and delivery, resource dissemination, and outreach marketing;
• Manage Center budget and produce financial and impact reports;
• Identify sustainable financing opportunities and assist with proposal development;
• Oversee project planning, monitoring, evaluation and revisioning, if necessary, based on data collection/analysis and ROI (Return on Investment) reports;
• Design and manage the Center’s web presence to show key milestones, projects and successful outcomes and achievements as outlined in the CEAR communications plan.

Supervisory

• Recruit, manage, supervise and mentor highly qualified Center staff (Training Coordinator, Resource Coordinator, and Trainers and Administrative Assistant),
• Ensure an effectively managed database / pipeline of resource persons (subject matter experts, etc.)
• Engage appropriate contractors and subject matter experts as needed;

Institutional

• Work with AR DVP and designated Communications lead to develop an appropriate and sustainable business model including outreach and marketing strategy;
• Work with the AR DVP and the designated Development lead to support growth and funding beyond the project’s pilot period;
• Model IFAW leadership values and practices;
• Collaborate with IFAW staff, volunteers and external organizational partners/practitioners associated with animal rescue initiatives.

Qualifications and Professional Requirements

• At least three years of proven experience associated with a center of excellence;
• Education: B.A. or B.Sc./M.A. or M.Sc. or equivalent experience in education, learning and curriculum development or comparable field;
• At least five years of experience in curriculum development and course design for adult learning, expertise in adult learning and training methodologies;
• Specialized Knowledge; Animal rescue, animal science, animal welfare knowledge or experience a plus;
• Professional Certification; Certified Trainer (IBCT or similar) preferred;
• In-depth understanding of current virtual and face-to-face training methods (including workshops, simulations, e-learning and coaching, etc.);
• Experience organizing and managing training activities in a corporate environment;
• Hands-on experience with project management and budgeting, international experience a plus;
• Experience with handling cross-cultural teams and trainees;
• Proficiency in Learning Management Systems (LMS);
• Ability to lead and manage an innovative team of course developers and trainers;
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people.    We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.