Location: TBD; country-based assignment within the LAC region 

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 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 anticipated USAID LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education will serve as a LAC-focused regional fund or platform that will provide grants and technical support to local entities in select LAC countries that are currently engaged in or have ideas for innovative and/or scalable activities that aim to address existing systemic barriers and improve access and foundational learning outcomes specifically for marginalized and vulnerable groups. 

Position Summary:   

The COP (Chief of Party) will oversee the complete supervision of the project which includes all planning and implementation. The COP will be accountable for ensuring all project aspects are of high quality and have a measurable impact. The COP will also oversee communications with USAID, local partners, government stakeholders, and Creative HQ.  

Responsibilities:  

• Lead the project team in setting and achieving project lifetime and annual goals, ensuring that it is effectively staffed and performing at the highest levels. 
• Maintain effective and open communication throughout the project with USAID, Creative, project operations teams, subcontractors, and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Achieve project goals and objectives in a timely and cost-effective manner. 
• Liaise and represent the project at meetings and events with government entities, USAID, the civil society and private sector, non-profits, and other stakeholders. 
• Ensure technical and administrative excellence and compliance. 
• Champion a results-driven ethos built on effective Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning and methodologies to promote Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation that ensures relevance and responsiveness as program needs and opportunities arise. 

• Ensure effective communication of project successes and results to broad audiences. 
• Supervise all activities of the project, and ensure compliance with USAID regulations and Creative’s procedures, including procurement, finance and administration, human resources, and sustainability.  

Required Qualifications: 

• Master's degree in education or related field and 14 years of relevant professional experience, or PhD/EdD and 8 years of relevant professional experience. 
• Experience in basic education intervention activities of similar scope and scale, including 5 years of experience managing complex international donor-funded development activities in Latin America. 
• Minimum of 5 years’ substantive experience as a senior manager with direct oversight and accountability for project deliverables on large international donor programs working with counterparts at various levels of government, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders. 
• Ability to work in complex environments, work across different cultures, and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines. 
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: governance for transparent, effective, responsive education systems; access to and retention of inclusive, quality education programming for marginalized learners; and improvements to safety and learning conditions is preferred. 
• Experience and knowledge of capacity development and professional development is preferred. 
• Ability to promote operational excellence through familiarity with best practices in budget management, financial controls, procurement norms, and human resource management in the public sector. 
• Ability to rapidly and concisely prepare written progress updates and other deliverables in English that effectively synthesize multiple information inputs from other team members at central and subnational levels. 
• Knowledgeable and experienced with international development contracting policies and procedures, specifically USAID. 
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish. 

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.