Overview
Creative seeks a Program Associate for the Communities in Transition Division. The Program Associate (PA) works under regular supervision and performs a wide variety of responsible assignments within their project area by serving as a member of a Headquarters (HQ)-based team. The PA provides regular project backstopping support, travels internationally for field projects and reconnaissance activities and helps to ensure the successful and compliant implementation of assigned projects. The Program Associate serves as the primary financial, contractual, and program backstop for a specific project field team. This position works with senior project management staff to solve potential problems through professional project management and backstopping skillsets. The Program Associate provides operational, research and logistical support to project staff and consultants, and contributes drafting of relevant programmatic documents and reports. As part of the HQ team, the Program Associate works closely with the field team, and, as needed, contributes to technical aspects of program design and implementation. The Program Associate also assists with business development and proposal activities, as opportunities arise.
Responsibilities
- Backstops field projects on technical, financial and administrative tasks for assigned projects and provides financial and administrative support to the project team in the field;
- Supports key personnel in the field, including mobilizing and demobilizing expatriate key personnel;
- Supports project consultants by developing and monitoring agreements, coordinating travel and logistics, and facilitating payment requests;
- Supports grant management by monitoring and facilitating payment for HQ-managed grants and subcontracts to international organizations;
- Reviews and processes project-related documentation including invoices, ensuring program files and transactions are compliant, properly documented, and organized;
- Assists in the preparation, tracking and realignment of the project budget and subcontractor budgets, and prepares quarterly financial reviews and projections;
- Supports the development/submission of contractual requests to the Contracting Officer for all travel;
- Contributes to weekly and monthly reports, project success stories and other deliverables as required;
- Acquires intimate familiarity with contract requirements, deliverables and budgets;
- Develops and maintains strong working relationships with partner and/or donor organizations;
- Works closely with support divisions in HQ including HR, Contracts, Procurement, Field Operations, Communications, and Finance, to support complex project needs as they arise; maintaining solid knowledge of all administrative, financial systems, and operating procedures;
- Supports business development efforts by drafting proposal sections and budgets, assisting with proposal recruitment process, developing marketing materials, and researching topics as requested;
- Supports planning of necessary reconnaissance and fact-finding trips in preparation for bids.Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and four years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree and two years of relevant experience;
- Working proficiency in Spanish;
- Prior project backstopping experience for a USAID or Department of State project;
- Prior experience in international development in a donor funded setting;
- Prior experience in developing and monitoring proposal and project budgets;
- Experience working with consultants and vendors;
- Experience organizing and managing program/project knowledge/information;
- Experience supporting small grants programs;
- Strong knowledge of U.S. government donor regulations;
- Strong writing and editing skills; excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills;
- Ability to work well in a team environment as well as independently;
- Ability to multi-task under tight deadlines; ability to travel internationally on short notice; and
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, etc.).
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