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 dynamic and inspired individual for the position of Senior Technical Manager STM/LAC to champion the Education Division’s development contributions in Latin America and the Caribbean. The STM/LAC will work under general supervision, performing complex work activities creating a programming portfolio in education for LAC, and using specialized knowledge to provide program and managerial support as the portfolio expands. Work involves serving in a technical advisory role leading capture, proposal and then program teams, developing and implementing innovative and state-of-the-art programmatic solutions for the provision of educational services, writing key programmatic and technical components of proposals, working with COPs and DCOPs to achieve project objectives, and may serve as a project manager for projects in his/her technical area. Work assignments include developing project designs, articulating the theory and basis of change, developing results frameworks, and constructing program strategy, activities and work plans. As a lead on the HQ team, the STM/LAC is responsible for establishing a network of partners and technical experts to support teaming strategies and key personnel recruitment and actively contributes to writing successful proposals. The STM travels internationally to perform many of the responsibilities of the role.
Reporting & Supervision:
The STM/LAC will report to the Director, Technical Unit for the Education Division. Supervisory roles are subject to change as the Education Division’s LAC portfolio grows.
NOTE: Different company initiatives require different levels of technical management leadership skills based on their strategic importance, complexity, specificity, scope, and geographic location. Creative formally sanctions, and reserves the right to modify, the skill and position level(s) needed for each initiative.
Expected Outcomes:
Leadership
Provides technical contributions to programming, business development and resources in a specific technical area that leads to successfully implemented field programs, contributing to high (good and above) CPARs for programs supported. Works across the programmatic division in a specific technical area. Assures that field and HQ staff are well supported in the execution of their responsibilities.
Technical Leadership
Performs research contributing to technical resources. Represents a technical practice area in client relations and with key audiences, and in broadening the company’s technical depth. Contributes field expertise in discussions in a specific technical area. Works to enhance technical policy and best practice materials.
New Business Development
Contributes technical expertise to capture activities and contributes to writing strong, winning proposals. Participates in annual work planning to identify bid opportunities in the technical area. STMs bring an entrepreneurial spirit, seizing opportunities in the local marketplace, creating and nurturing opportunities for new business generation, and visibly represents the company with stakeholders. Plans and executes new business pursuits with technical insight and intellectual curiosity.
Learning & Adaptation
Contributes to Creative’s visibility and excellence in the specific technical area through participation in external networks and communities of practice, providing short-term technical assistance to field programs and building capacity locally. Develops and cultivates networks of technical and functional experts to assist with key technical staff recruiting. Helps implement best practices in peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. Contributes to M&E plans that track and document progress towards technical learning and innovation.
Staff Management**
STAs tangibly support Technical Managers technically and professionally; their professional objectives and personal needs are well understood, as are those of COPs in the field. Staff management responsibilities may include direct supervision of Technical Managers which would include meaningful, constructive and timely performance assessments.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities:
Business Development
- Leads the development and pursuit of an education sector specific strategy to grow a portfolio of USAID and, potentially other donor projects, in the LAC region;
- Performs research essential to a sound capture; provides analytical support; attends meetings and events; and provides technical input for relevant and contextually appropriate education project design and implementation; and monitoring compliance during proposal development;
- Leads and/or serves in key role to develop strategic plans for captures and the scope of work for associated capture trips;
- Establishes local relationships during proposal and capture phases, that includes support to recruitment efforts that result in securing top level talent for key and non-key personnel positions;
- Plays a key role in the proposal development process: drafting technical and management sections and relevant annexes as required; reviews cost proposals and develops activity budgets as needed;
- Liaises with additional subject matter experts to both conceptualize and design proposals;
- Supports the facilitation and identification of strategic partnerships, including developing SOWs for pre-teaming and teaming agreements;
- Supervises and guides consultants contributing to business development efforts, as assigned;
- Develops and maintains strong working relationships with partner and/or donor organizations as well as developing a network of technical experts.
- Supports research and review of cost information pertinent for budgeting; participates in the recruitment of key and non-key personnel;
Program Management
This position may lead to program management responsibilities as proposals lead to projects won. Responsibilities will be adjusted and include:
- Establishes and maintains contract approval matrix and approval tracker, consultant tracker, budget trackers, etc.; monitors the implementation of contract requirements, deliverables, and budgets;
- Provides/backstops field projects on technical, financial, and administrative tasks, as assigned;
- Monitors consultant agreements; may coordinate travel, and various payment requests; and
- Liaises with support divisions in HQ including HR, Contracts, Procurement, Field Operations, Communications and Finance, to support project needs as they arise; prepares documents for submission to the Contracting Officer, as required;
- Mentors and coaches junior staff as they participate in LAC portfolio growth efforts or assume program backstopping responsibilities.**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 a relevant field and ten years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree and eight years of relevant experience;
- Experience working with educational programs in LAC of at least five years, preferably including education programs implemented through collaboration with host country governments;
- Experience leading capture and business development teams through to a winning proposal.
- Experience designing contextually appropriate and relevant education projects for LAC for USAID, Department of State and/or other donor funded programs;
- Experience serving in a technical advisory capacity on long- or short-term technical education program assignments totaling at least eight months of field time;
- Experience in establishing technical networks and local partner relationships within the sector and LAC region;
- Experience in working with COPs and DCOPs in the implementation of educational programs;
- Experience in quickly demonstrating the ability to produce results on specific assignments in diverse country and program contexts;
- Considerable skill and experience in U.S. government donor regulations and interacting with client representatives and other project stakeholders;
- Excellent writing and editing skills; excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills;
- Strong ability to work well in a team environment as well as independently;
- Ability to establish priorities and multi-task under tight deadlines;
- Ability to travel internationally on short notice;
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, etc.); and,
- Oral and written fluency in Spanish; and,
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
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