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 15 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development 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:

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching and technical assistance), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils. The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform. The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains. LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts .

Position Summary:

The Chief of Party is responsible for the overall planning, implementation and management of the project as well as the achievement of the goals and objectives of the project in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Chief of Party reports to the Senior Project Director based in Headquarters and supervises project staff.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee operational management of the activity
• Supervise activity implementation and ensure the activity meets stated goals and reporting requirements
• Serve as primary liaison to USAID, implementing partners, and key education stakeholders in country, including government officials, civil society organizations, and other donor-funded implementing partners
• Establish and foster collaborative partnerships with organizations working in education and related subjects; oversee the coordination of partner organizations/subawardees.
• Determine annual priorities, develop work plans, and ensure program responds to changing conditions and operating environments, in conjunction with USAID and Creative Headquarters
• Oversee and ensure technical soundness in overall approach and project activities; ensure that GESI principles and local capacity strengthening are fully integrated into implementation
• Oversee project operational, financial, and administrative systems and processes, ensuring streamlined and compliant project management
• Supervise, mentor, and manage a diverse program team to deliver impact within agreed upon timelines
• Provide overall technical, administrative, and financial oversight of the contract, including program planning, budgeting, and MEL
• Oversee the development and submission of project workplans, quarterly and annual reports, and other program materials and coordinate program activities across multiple states
• Manage in-country staff to ensure that the project is achieving all deliverables on time and with quality
• Ensure that technical, financial, and administrative activities are carried out according to USAID and Creative's policies and procedures
• Ensure the appropriate implementation of accounting, personnel, IT, and operating procedures are consistent with Creative’s policies as well as tailored to meet local needs
• Serve as the legal representative for the project and the local Creative office to oversee and ensure compliance with local laws and fiscal laws and regulations
• Work in partnership with the Senior Project Director in the Home Office. Engage in frequent, routine communication so that the Project Director is aware of both progress and potential issues, and solicit assistance and input as needed to ensure that performance meets or exceeds technical and financial contractual requirements
• Recruit, hire, and manage staff and consultants as needed to carry out activities
• Manage subcontractors, both international and local, to ensure that their performance meets or exceeds technical and financial contractual requirements
• Maintain and develop Creative's relationship with USAID and successfully manage the project's relationship with local governments/ministries and other stakeholders
• Support implementation of Creative's security protocols and provide leadership in handling security-related issues
• Maintain a working knowledge of project financials, working with and supporting the project’s financial personnel to ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place and being followed
• Represent the project in local, national, and international meetings and events as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Experience:

• Master’s Degree or higher in education planning, public policy, management and administration, social science or related and relevant field required.
• At least 10 years of experience in relevant management, supervisory and technical experience working with programs that are of a similar scope and scale to this project is required. (At least 7 of these years must be in a management/leadership position);
• Previous COP experience on projects of similar size and scope;
• Experience managing USAID-funded projects;
• Demonstrated experience improving evidence-based education programming, capacity building and professional development, including rural, multilingual, and underserved populations;
• Ample experience in project design, policy dialogue, strategic planning and implementation, education reform and national-level quality improvement and classroom reforms;
• Political savvy and experience interacting effectively with numerous ministry institutions and senior-level national and subnational-level government officials;
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex, politically charged environments, work across different cultures, and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed upon timelines; and
• Fluent English; strong oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• A focus on education policy change implementation, program/project management, curriculum, bilingual education or early grade literacy;
• At least 10 years’ experience in the education sector in Sub-Saharan Africa is desired, preferably with experience in Western sub-Saharan Africa;
• Prior experience in policy advocacy, monitoring and oversight, capacity development in education sector, and experience in awarding and managing grants to local organizations to promote education-related goals.