Background: Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence is more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio of that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. 

Position Summary: Creative Associates seeks a Senior Technical Director for the anticipated USAID Protective Education for Girls in Mali Activity. The Protective Education for Girls in Mali Activity aims to address the multifaceted barriers faced by vulnerable learners, especially girls, in Mali by focusing on improving access to quality education, enhancing teacher capacity, and providing targeted support for girls. By implementing a comprehensive approach that includes accelerated learning centers, teachers’ professional development, and community-driven support, the program seeks to achieve significant improvements in educational outcomes and ensure that primary school-aged children, particularly girls, complete their education with the necessary skills and competencies. The Senior Technical Director is responsible for the overall planning, implementation, and management of the education technical approach of the project across all required subject areas in a timely and cost-effective manner.   

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Provide strategic leadership and coordination of program activities focused on improving access to quality education for vulnerable learners, with a focus on girls;  

• Collaborate closely with the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party to provide technical leadership and expertise to ensure the fulfillment of deliverables;  

• Oversee design, delivery, and monitoring of the project’s overall technical approach and activity implementation; 

• Monitor the goals and objectives of the project ensure progress towards successful implementation;  

• Ensure activities are gender-responsive and are respectful of learner diversities;  

• Regularly interact with local partners, private sector, and other humanitarian and development organizations to enable effective collaboration and cooperation within the education sector;  

• Manage performance and provide mentoring, coaching and training to technical and program staff;  

• Build relations with key education stakeholders and actively collaborate with the USAID to effectively support program implementation and address operational and programmatic questions and challenges;  

• Effectively apply the USAID Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) and adaptive management approaches to promote innovation, improved methodologies, and project implementation;  

• Ensure that results-oriented program components produce high-quality deliverables and maintain relevant and timely reporting;  

• Manage partners to ensure they deliver quality services on schedule; and   

• Oversee synergies and cohesion between project components and activities.  

Required Skills & Qualifications: 

• An advanced degree in education or a related field;   

• At least 8 years of experience of progressively increasing responsibilities in technical management roles in the education sector;    

• Experience working in the Central Sahel region preferred; 

• In-depth understanding of the context, key actors, and challenges and opportunities within the education sector in Mali; 

• Expertise in foundational skills development for adolescents; 

• Experience in and commitment to creating equal education opportunities for girls, children with disabilities, and other children at risk of discrimination or marginalization;  

• Proven ability to effectively work and mentor staff in multicultural and multilingual societies;   

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of international standards and principles related to safeguarding and prevention of gender-based violence. 

• Proven ability to collaborate successfully with USAID, regional institutions and organizations, government officials, international donors, and civil society organizations;   

• Proven ability to adapt and innovate programming around real-time project barriers 

• Experience with adaptive management approaches, collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) and overseeing MEL activities on donor-funded projects;   

• Fluency in written and spoken French required; Professional proficiency in English desirable. 

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

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.