Overview
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 Technical Advisor to work under general supervision and perform a variety of complex work assignments within his/her technical area, as well as provide program support to an assigned area. This is an exciting opportunity to help grow, capture technical knowledge and learning, and integrate evidence-based, innovative technical approaches as part of a dynamic governance portfolio with active projects in local governance, elections, civil society, and accountability. Work involves serving in a technical advisory role or field research role, developing and implementing innovative and state-of-the-art programmatic solutions in his/her technical area, leading business development efforts, and as needed, serving as a project backstop for projects in his/her technical area. Priority areas include local governance, civil society strengthening, accountability, anti-corruption, and cross-cutting areas including local capacity strengthening, localization, human-centered design, and thinking and working politically. Work assignments include developing project designs, articulating the theory and basis of change, developing results frameworks, and constructing program strategy, activities, and work plans. The Technical Advisor works closely with field teams, project management and business development, and serves as a contributor to the technical aspects of program design and implementation, and business development and proposal activities. The Technical Advisor (TA) establishes a network of partners and technical experts to support key personnel recruitment. The TA travels internationally to perform many of the responsibilities of the role.
Reporting & Supervision:
The TA will report to the Practice Area Director.
Expected Outcomes:
Leadership
Provides technical contributions to programming, business development, and resources in a specific technical area that leads to successfully implemented field programs, leading to high (good and above) CPARs for programs supported. Assures that field and HQ staff are well supported in the execution of their responsibilities.
Technical Leadership
Performs research and analysis contributing to technical resources. May represent a technical practice area in client relations and with key audiences. Provides successful support to technical projects in the field. Works to enhance technical policy and best practice materials.
New Business Development
Contributes technical expertise to capture, design, and writing of strong, winning proposals. Contributes to Creative’s visibility as a top implementer in a specific technical area. TAs 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; contributes to and leads elements of divisional learning agenda and practice area technical learning and strategies.
Responsibilities
- Leads and contributes technical expertise to project capture, project design, and project implementation in a specific technical area;
- Participates in capture trips by developing a scope of work for trips, objectives and agendas for meetings, identifies potential partners and candidates for program implementation; establishes local relationships during proposal development and capture phases; obtains cost information pertinent for budgeting; provides regular updates to senior leaders;
- Participates in the proposal development process; contributes to program design in his/her technical area; and serves as technical lead writer or contributing writer, or other sections as necessary.
- Provides mentoring and support to other colleagues in writing proposal sections and in other processes related to bid preparation;
- Provides contextual analysis and information from relevant/key sources to inform technical sections of proposals or in support of project implementation with project teams for his/her technical area;
- Participates in the recruitment process for key and non-key personnel;
- Develops and maintains strong working relationships with partner and/or donor organizations;
- Participates in industry working groups and other fora;
- Develops technical materials and knowledge products, and liaises with Knowledge Management, Communications, and other support divisions in HQ as needed;
- Provides/backstops field projects on technical, financial, and administrative tasks, as assigned;
- Works closely with the Contracts department preparing documentation for submission to the Contracting Officer; supports field teams, as required.
Qualifications– Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and eight years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree and six years of relevant experience;
- Experience serving in a technical advisory capacity on short term technical assignments totaling four to six months of field time;
- Experience in project design for USAID, Department of State, and/or other donor 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;
- Experience in an international development donor funded setting and interacting with client representatives and other project stakeholders;
- 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.).
Desired Skills and Qualifications
Proficiency in a language other than English.
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.#LI-IB1
Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
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