Position Location: Guatemala 

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 Guatemala Governance for Local Development Activity will aim to achieve the promotion of sustainable local development; provision of decentralized and deconcentrated public services and public investments at a local level. 

Position Summary: Creative Associates seeks a Chief of Party (COP) to lead the anticipated USAID-funded Guatemala Governance for Local Development Activity. The COP will be responsible for overall vision, technical leadership and project management.  

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Oversee technical implementation and 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 stakeholders in country, including government officials, civil society organizations, and other donor-funded implementing partners. 
• Determine annual priorities, develop work plans, and ensure program responds to changing conditions and operating environments, 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. 

• Establish and foster collaborative partnerships with organizations working on local governance, citizen engagement, inclusion, accountability, and related subjects; oversee the coordination of implementing partners. 
• Supervise, mentor, and manage a diverse program team to deliver impact within agreed timelines.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Skills & Qualifications: 

• Advanced degree in political science, public administration, or related field. 
• Minimum 10 years of experience designing and implementing local governance programs of similar scope and scale. 
• Minimum five years of progressively increasing management experience (COP, DCOP, or equivalent) on donor-funded projects in the governance sector, including public service delivery; USAID experience preferred. 
• Experience and expertise in scaling local governance, service delivery, and/or citizen participation programming. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant USAID policies and strategies, including USAID’s Localization Strategy; Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy; Private Sector Engagement Policy; and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Framework. 
• Experience in and commitment to advancing equity and inclusion of women, youth, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. 
• Ability to cultivate effective working relationships with government officials, civil society organizations, education/training institutions, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience working in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams. 
• Local governance focused experience working in Guatemala 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.