Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic development 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:

The Chief of Party (COP) will be based in Abuja, Nigeria, and will provide overall technical, administrative, and financial management and leadership to the project. He/she will be the team’s interlocutor with USAID, sub-contractors, consultants, national and local grant recipients, host governments (if and where applicable), the State Department, and other donors and key stakeholders.

Reporting & Supervision:

The COP is the second final implementing team authority on management issues including staff, operations and logistics, and financial management. He/she will report to the Project Director, located at Creative’s headquarters.

Primary Responsibilities:

The COP will have principal responsibility to:

• Provide principal management project management and technical operations to ensure that the project tasks are completed and the objectives of the project are successfully met
• Provide oversight of local, regional, and national capacity development efforts, including working with key regional West African partners and civil society organizations
• Provide overall management and leadership of technical, administrative, operational, and logistical direction in compliance with Creative and USAID policies and regulations
• Design and supervise the implementation of the project related tasks as such grants management and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
• Serve as primary liaison with the USAID and implementing partners on management and technical design and implementation of the project deliverables
• Maintain collaborative relationships with the project partners, sub-contractors, consultants, key stakeholders, and other implementing partners
• Manage and supervise the work of project personnel and identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate program adjustments
• Assure that all assistance provided under the contract, whether by international or local experts/personnel, is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed
• Serve as the primary point of contact for information on the progress and status of all activities under the contract and should establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure that activity progress and specific implementation concerns are regularly and promptly reported; and
• Provide a how-to guide to assist partners and the project staff in understanding the purpose, format, and timing of key technical and financial reports, including the M&E, annual workplans, monthly, quarterly, and annual technical and financial reports. Pay attention to the details and provide a final product to be delivered to USAID
• Manage the preparation and presentation of work plans, M&E plans, and all reports.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• At least 15 years of senior management experience, managing complex international programs (implementation, logistics, budgeting, staffing) preferably those funded by USAID and those conducted in West Africa
• Master’s degree in public administration, political science, international relations, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding or related field required
• Especially charismatic, professional credentials to be able to establish close and trustful relations, and interact directly with the client and partners regarding programmatic, strategic communications, and contractual issues
• Exposure to conflict early warning and response programming and experience in conflict and post-conflict environments preferred
• Demonstrated ability in the concepts, principles, methods and techniques of delivering development programs in close collaboration with partners
• Demonstrated skills in effectively working, coordinating and negotiating with regional institutions and organizations, donors, other USAID projects, U.S. embassies, local organizations and partners
• Ability to successfully manage and develop staff in a multi-country and multi-cultural setting as demonstrated by past experience
• Ability to manage USAID contracts and all required reporting requirements and attention to the details
• Ability to perform internal control functions to manage day-to-day operations of the project; and
• Fluency in speaking, reading and writing in English, desirable in French.

Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.