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., Brainier or similar systems).
Proficiency in e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline 360).
Must be fluent in English.
Experience in a complex organization or consulting role requiring impeccable judgment, strong analytical skills and exceptional stakeholder management capabilities.
Strong project planning skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple project priorities as part of a collaborative team effort.
Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, in positions requiring communication with a broad audience.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, etc.)
Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work collaboratively on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate.
Ability to multitask and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
Experience working and communicating in a remote environment preferred but not required.

Our Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the three medical plan options, dental, and vision.
Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care.
Pre-tax transit and parking spending account.
Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance.

For a complete list of benefits, please click here.

Our Focus on Wellness

KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities.

For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.

Application Instructions

To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.

Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

KIND jobs

Learning and Development Specialist