USAID Ecuador Youth Development 

Deputy Chief of Party   

Position Location: Ecuador  

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 anticipated USAID-funded Youth Development Program in Ecuador aims to support youth economic activities to mitigate the potential for illegal recruitment into illicit behavior by providing avenues for employment and entrepreneurship. This program will reduce the likelihood of social tensions, protests, and crime by generating economic opportunities for youth as an alternative to illicit engagement. The activity will achieve this through three core objectives: (1) Develop Youth Capacity to Excel in Society and the Formal Economy, (2) Incentivize Private Sector Employment Generation, and (3) Facilitate Legal Labor Pathways Abroad for Temporary Employment Opportunities. 

Position Summary: Creative Associates seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to support the anticipated USAID-funded Youth Development Program in Ecuador. The DCOP will assist the COP in providing overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise for the project’s activities and will serve as a key liaison with USAID and project partners on management and technical matters. 

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Technical Leadership: Support the COP in providing technical direction and oversight of project activities, ensuring alignment with project goals and USAID requirements. 

• Project Management: Assist in the development and implementation of annual work plans, project management teams, and monitoring and evaluation systems. 

• Client Relationship Management: Support the COP in managing the client relationship with USAID/Ecuador, ensuring compliance with contractual technical deliverables and reporting requirements. 

• Stakeholder Engagement: Support the COP in engaging with project stakeholders and counterparts, ensuring effective coordination of project management and planning. 

• Budget Management: Assist the COP in managing the project budget and ensuring that all project deliverables are met within budgetary constraints. 

• Supervision: Provide supervision and support to project staff, ensuring effective project implementation and high staff morale. 

• Reporting: Assist in the preparation and submission of high-quality reports and results to USAID, including quarterly and annual reports, annual work plans, technical reports, and financial reports. 

• Workplace Practices: Support the development and implementation of inclusive and supportive workplace practices. 

• Technical Oversight: Provide technical guidance and oversight to ensure the technical soundness of project activities. 

• Partnership Development: Assist in establishing and fostering collaborative partnerships with organizations focused on youth development, employment, and entrepreneurship. 

• Risk Management: Assist in identifying and mitigating risks related to project implementation in a timely manner. 

• Capacity Building: Support the integration of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles and local capacity strengthening into project activities. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Skills & Qualifications:  

• Advanced degree in economics, business administration, international development, education, or a related field. 

• Minimum 8 years of experience designing and implementing youth development and economic growth programs of similar scope. 

• Minimum five years of progressively increasing management experience (COP, DCOP, or equivalent) on donor-funded projects in the youth development sector; USAID experience preferred. 

• Experience and expertise in youth development, employment generation, and entrepreneurship. 

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant USAID policies and strategies, including USAID’s Youth in Development Policy, Economic Growth Policy, 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. 

• Experience in youth development and economic growth in Ecuador is highly preferred. 

• Fluency in English required. Professional fluency in written and spoken Spanish is required. 

• Ecuadorian national highly preferred. 

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.