Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance and post-crisis 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.
Position Summary:
Creative seeks a Project Director (PD) for the Economic Growth Division’s Investment, Trade & Private Sector Development Practice Area. The PD will be responsible for performing complex work within the project area, including the $140M West Africa Trade & Investment Hub, a regional project covering 9 bilateral missions, two regional missions and Prosper Africa, W-GDP and other funding sources. Project Directors assume responsibilities for management of projects typically of $20M+ in funding, depending upon variables such as the complexity, projected timeline of the projects, and geographic location of the work. The PD is responsible for technical, financial, compliance and accountability for the performance of assigned projects. The PD supervises Senior Project Managers, Project Managers and other project management staff to ensure quality programming, and achievement of financial targets and contractual outcomes. The PD travels internationally to perform many of the functions of the role and also participates in new business initiatives within the assigned portfolio or geography.
Reporting & Supervision:
PDs report to a Senior Project Director, Principal Technical Advisor, and may have with a dotted line to Directors, Portfolio Management, as needed. PDs supervise Senior Project Manager, Project Managers and other project management staff.
NOTE: Different projects require different levels of project management leadership skills based on their strategic importance, project profile and complexity, specificity, scope, and geographic location. Creative formally sanctions, and reserves the right to modify, the skill and position level(s) needed for each project.
Expected Outcomes:
Leadership
Projects under PD oversight receive guidance and management support. Senior Project Managers, Project Managers and other project management staff manage projects purposely, cohesively and efficiently. Project aims are clear on the strategic (outcome level—technical), tactical (output level—managerial and financial) and operational (milestone-level transactions) fronts. Challenges and potential implementation issues are preemptively identified and proactively addressed. The client is being effectively served and is satisfied with Creative’s service and offerings. Senior Management is kept abreast of significant threats, implementation deficiencies and opportunities.
Project Management
Projects under PD oversight perform well–they meet contractual obligations, and fiscal targets. Projects are well-planned so that inputs—such as human resource deployments, STTA, procurements—can be timely and effectively supported by HQ. Project staffing, project obligations, and reporting meet anticipated levels and high-quality standards.
Financial Management
Projects under PD oversight meet performance targets and revenue projections. PDs proactively manage vacancies, non-billables, and foregone revenue. Projects requiring important course corrections or corporate support receive the attention of upper management.
Staff Management**
Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and other staff under PD oversight are tangibly supported technically, managerially and professionally; their professional objectives and personal needs are well understood, as are those of key staff in the field. Performance reviews of are meaningful and constructive and are administered timely. Projects honor all aspects of programmatic and fiscal compliance.
New Business Development
Projects under PD oversight demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit; they are able to seize opportunities in the local marketplace, and to position the company and pave the way for the realization of new business opportunities. Opportunities for new business generation are created and nurtured. The company is visibly represented before stakeholders. Specific new business pursuits are well planned and timely executed. Activity design is conducted with insight and intellectual curiosity.
Learning & Adaptation
Projects under PD supervision have a heightened awareness of the value of learning and adaptation. Projects have explicitly defined learning agendas, M&E and Knowledge Management (KM) plans that track progress towards learning, and course corrections that are informed by data. Project interventions and innovations are well documented and catalogued. Learning events (i.e., Knowledge Share) capture salient programmatic aspects with potential for replication or scale up. Salient activities are celebrated and promoted through Creative’s Communications Department.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities:
- Oversees assigned Senior Project Managers, Project Managers and project management staff;
- Ensures that Projects under PD oversight achieve contractual deliverables with technical distinction, meet fiscal targets, are well planned and resourced;
- Represents Creative before projects; communicates regularly with client representatives, i.e. CORs and AORs;
- Tracks aspects of project performance; oversees project implementation of approved activities, monitoring of timelines, tracking budgets, and supporting subcontract performance and financial management;
- Resolves issues in project start-up and close-down; manages project backstopping, key field personnel support, consultant agreements; processing of project finance transactions, approval and handling of all travel and related logistics, and grant management implementation;
- Ensures compliance of project-related documentation including work plans, staff records, communications, and transactions ensuring they are properly documented;
- Participates in pertinent new business development endeavors; contributes to proposal preparation in technical/geographic areas closely connected to projects in the portfolio;
- Elevates risks and opportunities to senior project management;
- Reviews, and may prepare, project reports, and other material such as success stories, interventions and innovations;
- Participates in project learning and data driven adaptation;
- Directly manages and ensures the project’s timely development of quality products and knowledge-share events according to project KM plans in close collaboration with the KM team;
- Directly manages and ensures the timely and accurate tagging, uploading and tracking of KM project products in coordination with the KM team;
- Provides targeted product development authorship or leadership for KM as required, and
- Serves as a liaison with Creative’s support units, including HR, Finance & Contracts, Procurement, Field Operations, Communications, etc. Qualifications
Minimum Skills & Qualifications:
NOTE: Your job title is based on the role you perform and you must meet the minimum qualifications for that job title. Greater (higher) education and experience than minimum qualifications do not automatically classify you into a higher-level job title/position.
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and twelve years of relevant experience or Master’s degree in relevant field and ten years of relevant experience;
- Some field experience implementing projects at an operational level;
- Some supervisory experience;
- Demonstrated ability to assume responsibilities for projects typically totaling $20M+ in funding, depending upon the complexity, projected timeline of the projects, and geographic location of the work;
- Considerable knowledge within their project area and experience in coaching or mentoring others in project implementation;
- Experience in working with field staff, providing technical and financial oversight on projects to include budget realignments;
- Experience in reviewing & approving project procurements, grants and purchase order agreements;
- Decisive evidence-based decision-making skills;
- Experience in a relevant technical area such as, economic development and enterprise and investment led growth and competitiveness, countering violent extremism;
- Experience in quickly producing results on a range of assignments in diverse country and programmatic contexts; in developing/monitoring proposal and project budgets;
- Experience in leading project start-ups and close-downs;
- Skill in managing teams, handling tight deadlines; ability to travel internationally on short notice;
- Skill and experience in U.S. government donor relations and client management;
- Knowledge of USAID Programs and Regulations;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills to include, experience in making formal presentations to clients, peers and other groups; and
- Business Development experience (prior experience with Proposal Management, Championing or Writing USAID proposals).
Completion of Trainings:
- Completion of all coursework/trainings required for project management positions at prior levels.
Languages:
- Language proficiency is not required for this position; French language proficiency preferred.
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.
Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
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