Learning and Development Specialist

About KIND 
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.  Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.
Position Summary
KIND seeks a Learning & Development Specialist to work closely with the Director, Learning & Development to design and deliver engaging learning programs across a wide range of curricula including onboarding, skills development, people management, and compliance in support of organizational learning goals. This role is key in developing, implementing, and supporting talent development and learning initiatives that enhance employee performance, engagement, and career growth. The incumbent will collaborate closely with HR business partners, supervisors, and stakeholders across the organization to assess learning needs, design and deliver training programs, support talent management strategies, and ensure learning programs are effective and scalable.
This is a remote position based from any location in the U.S. This position is contingent upon continued funding. 

Essential Functions

• Instructional Design & Course Development 
• Designs, develops, and updates engaging learning content across instructor-led, virtual, hybrid, and e-learning formats. 
• Applies adult learning principles and instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE, SAM) to ensure effective knowledge transfer. 
• Creates and maintains high-quality learning assets, including facilitator guides, participant materials, job aids, and manager support tools. 
• Develops assessments and evaluate learner data to continuously improve learning programs. 
• Recommends enhancements to existing programs based on evaluation results, best practices, and business needs. 


• Learning Technology & Multimedia Development 
• Develops digital learning tools, including interactive e-learning modules, graphics, audio, video, animations, and multimedia content. 
• Utilizes e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline) and multimedia software for graphic design and video editing. 
• Stays current with industry trends, emerging learning technologies, and instructional best practices. 


• Learning Management System (LMS) Administration           
• Administers, monitors, and maintains the Learning Management System (LMS), including course uploads, user management, content curation, reporting, and governance. 
• Assists Learning & Development team in assigning required training to new hires based on location, job role, hire date, and regulatory requirements. 
• Collaborates with HR and cross-functional teams to deliver a seamless onboarding experience through the LMS. 
• Assists Learning & Development team in troubleshooting LMS user issues and provide technical support to learners and stakeholders. 
• Liaises with LMS vendors and learning content providers to ensure system effectiveness and content quality. 


• Other duties to include, but not limited to
• Manages training logistics to include calendar invites and coordination with internal and external facilitators to ensure effective delivery. 
• Strong organizational, coordination, and project management skills. 
• Works comfortably in ambiguous situations, with strong project management skills and a pragmatic, solution-focused approach. 
• Supports junior members of the global team, facilitating their development and role-modeling high performance. 
• Supports Talent & Culture projects. 
• Assists with vendor procurement and contracting, invoice processing, and tracking L&D spending for budget. 

Qualifications and Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Instructional design, education, human resources or equivalent required. Graduate degree preferred. 
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a fast-paced learning environment or demonstratable equivalent experience. 
• Strong knowledge of adult learning theory and instructional design methodologies (e.g., ADDIE, SAM). 
• Experience with LMS platforms (e.g., Braini