Creative Associates

Overview

Position Location: El Salvador 

Background: Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. 

Project Summary: The USAID-funded El Salvador Local Governance Activity will aim to support local governance in municipal consolidation, municipal financial sustainability, citizen engagement, improved service delivery (including safety and security) and address climate change and urbanization challenges. 

Position Summary: Creative Associates seeks a Technical Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to lead the anticipated USAID-funded El Salvador Local Governance Activity. The DCOP will be responsible for leading and overseeing technical design and implementation and providing administrative support on programmatic areas and working with the Chief of Party (COP), other team members, partners, and external stakeholders to ensure the program achieves the desired results. 

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Lead the technical design and implementation of the Activity through direct supervision of technical program components, as directed by the COP; 
• Collaborate with the COP on the design and implementation of overarching program goals and strategies, and implementation of tools and processes necessary in reaching those goals and strategies; 
• Contribute to the formulation of annual work plans, work plan budget, and other program management tools, in cooperation with the COP, other project staff, and USAID; 
• Directly support the COP in the design, rollout, and daily management and implementation of program activities; 
• In coordination with the COP and Finance Team, oversee the development and monitoring of the project budget to ensure the activity meets its spending projections and that expenditures are in compliance with Creative and USAID policies and regulations, as well as the scope of the program’s budget; 
• Manage the contractual implementation of program activities, to include oversight of procurement processes, development of service agreements, and milestone verification; 
• Develop and deliver reports and written documentation related to operations activities to be reported to USAID, including providing relevant inputs into weekly, quarterly and annual reports, and all relevant project deliverables; 
• Collaborate with all local stakeholders and implementing partners to ensure that activities conform to all local, Creative, and USAID requirements and regulations; 
• Facilitate the program team’s relationship with designated counterparts at USAID, at the national and local governments, and other key local stakeholders, to ensure effective and responsive technical assistance; 
• Work with technical component leads and program partners to ensure a shared vision for program activities and outcomes, address implementation challenges, and encourage the sharing of best practices and project successes; 
• Mentor, guide, and supervise implementation staff, overseeing staff capacity strengthening across the program and providing evaluation and workforce management to ensure continued growth; and 
• Serve as Acting Chief of Party as required, including providing support to the COP in representational duties as required; and liaising with USAID to respond to their informational, data and monitoring requirements. 

Qualifications

Required Skills & Qualifications: 

• An advanced degree in relevant field such as business administration, project management, or development studies; or bachelor’s degree with five additional years of relevant international development experience; 
• Minimum 7 years of experience in progressively managing operations in support of donor-funded programming, local governance-focused, and USAID-funded program experience strongly preferred; 
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience managing diverse teams and supporting staff development; 
• Excellent administrative skills, with demonstrated comprehensive understanding of USAID and US Government rules and regulations; 
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills with international donor policies and procedures relative to subawards and sub-contracts, financial management, procurement processes, and management systems; 
• Capacity to support the COP in the design of grants that relate to the current political environment; 
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to work and multi-task under pressure; and 
• Experience working collaboratively with host country governments, local government stakeholders, and local civil society; 
• Local governance focused experience working in El Salvador or the LAC region highly preferred. 
• Fluency in English required. Professional fluency in written and spoken Spanish is required. 

Position contingent upon donor funding. 

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please. 

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.