Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, global development company that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro Washington, D.C. area), Creative has programs in more than 30 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Founded in 1977, Creative is a minority-owned, mission-driven organization that has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
We value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. We are deliberate and self-reflective about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other’s growth. Our success depends on all our employees’ points of view, and the principle that inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.
Position Summary:
The Senior Project Manager provides high-level oversight, general management and has accountability for 1-3 projects (number may vary depending on size and complexity of projects) in an assigned practice area within a Technical Division, with an anticipated LOE of 55-60% on project management. The Senior Project Manager is expected to spend up to 30% LOE for business development (BD). BD roles may include serving as a contributing writer for technical sections or a technical lead writer; conducting capture on new opportunities including travel to the field; serving on interview panels for key personnel; or other increasingly complex roles. The Senior Project Manager will travel to the field to support project operations and initiatives at least once per year per project and must be willing and able to travel to countries within Creative’s education portfolio, including some crisis and conflict contexts. Travel may also include support for capture and BD. The Senior Project Manager may serve in Acting capacity for technical or management roles.
The Education Division is hiring an experienced Senior Project Manager to support the USAID-funded Basic Education Activity (BEA). The BEA project is a 4-year cooperative agreement being implemented in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Creative is looking for candidates with a background in crisis response, emergency response, disaster relief, education in emergencies, and/or humanitarian assistance, to support the Gaza portion of the BEA project in addition to strong program management experience. The SPM role will include planning, coordinating, and operationalizing the project activities in Gaza; outreach to and onboarding of additional partners; coordinating with other implementing partners, the local education cluster, and humanitarian organizations on the ground in Gaza to find synergies and ensure we are not duplicating efforts; overseeing project operations in Gaza; and being the primary point-of-contact for inquiries from USAID and Creative’s leadership team.
Reporting & Supervision:
The Senior Project Manager will report to the Senior Project Director. The Senior Project Manager may supervise up to two junior level project management staff. The Senior Project Manager will work directly with the project Gaza Lead (based in Gaza) to plan and operationalize BEA’s implementation in Gaza.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities:– Serve as the primary POC for the Gaza portion of the BEA project, working directly with the Gaza Lead (based in Gaza) and coordinating with the Senior Project Director (based in HQ) and BEA Chief of Party (based in Ramallah);
- Lead work planning for the Gaza portion of the project, in close collaboration with the Gaza Lead, Chief of Party and the Senior Project Director;
- Advise on technical activities supporting education in conflict programming;
- Manage Gaza subawardees based outside of Gaza, from outreach to potential partners to subaward administration (full subaward lifecycle);
- Support project operations in Gaza, including procurement and storage of required goods for project implementation, security, logistics, travel;
- Coordinate with other implementing partners, the local education cluster, and humanitarian organizations on the ground;
- Respond to frequent inquiries from USAID and Creative’s leadership team on the Gaza portion of the project;
- Manage financial projections and review Gaza-related expenses;
- Review final deliverables for compliance and completion;
- Secure STTA for project as needed;
- Recruit key project personnel, including replacements;
- Serve in acting capacity in the field for operational or technical positions;
- Serve as a coach and mentor for direct reports;
- Review and approve project documents/requests based on Creative’s Direct Authorities Matrix (DAM) threshold;
- Ensure compliance with Creative’s policies and procedures and client’s rules and regulations;
- Support business development initiatives, including capture work and live bid development;
- Serve as Technical Lead Writer or similar role on proposals; and
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Qualifications
Minimum Skills & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and 6-8 years of relevant work experience.
- Previous experience successfully managing USG funded programs or portfolio of projects valued at least $5-10 million/year.
- Experience with crisis response/emergency response programs.
- Experience with project start-up particularly in EiCC contexts.
- Experience managing full-cycle procurements.
- Demonstrated overseas experience working on a client-funded project.
- Experience integrating cross-cutting concepts such as GESI, youth engagement, and Do No Harm in project implementation.
- Previous experience working on USG business development initiatives, including writing proposal sections.
- Demonstrated expertise in MS Office, with strong Excel use.
- Willingness to travel internationally up to 8 weeks per year.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to clearly distill and communicate complex concepts and information.
- Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate systems, processes, and program management approaches, including financial management.
- At least one year of experience managing multiple direct reports.
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- MBA or similar degree in relevant field
- Additional experience with a non-USG international donor a plus
- Previous experience in West Bank or Gaza
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The Salary Range for this position is expected to be: $87,000 to $109,000
EEOC Statement: Creative is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, Ameri-Corps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
Accessibility Notice: If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Ireneb@creativedc.com. Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision: Creative will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation. #LI-IB
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
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