Program Associate - Education Division
Full Time
Chevy Chase, MD
Posted
Job description
Overview:
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:
Reporting & Supervision:
This position will report to a Senior Project Director or Project Director.
Expected Outcomes:
Project Management
Financial Management
New Business Development
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
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, 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.
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:
Creative seeks a Program Associate for the Education for Development 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 business 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.
Reporting & Supervision:
This position will report to a Senior Project Director or Project Director.
Expected Outcomes:
Project Management
The PA provides consistent and timely support to project teams during project start-ups, implementation and closedowns, contributing to meeting contractual obligations and fiscal targets and ensuring program compliance with client and Creative’s administrative, financial, procurement and operational procedures. Project staffing, project obligations, and reporting meet anticipated levels and high-quality standards and develop others’ knowledge and learning. PAs keep senior project leadership abreast of significant threats, project implementation deficiencies and opportunities.
Financial Management
The PA helps meet project performance targets and revenue projections based on hands-on project and financial management skills, active management of vacancies, non-billables, and foregone revenue. Projects requiring important course corrections or corporate support are elevated to senior management.
New Business Development
The PA makes contributions to proposal development and business development efforts, as needed. Creative projects demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and seize opportunities in the local marketplace and pave the way for the realization of new business opportunities. PAs help Creative’s visibility before stakeholders.
Learning & Adaptation
The PA assists in incorporating defined learning agendas as well as M&E plans into project strategy and program/project implementation from concept to closure. Project interventions and innovations are well documented and catalogued. Pause-and-Reflect events capture salient programmatic aspects with potential for replication or scale up. Salient activities are celebrated and promoted through Creative’s Communications Department.
Responsibilities:
Project Management:
- Backstops field projects within the Education Division 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; and,
- 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.
New Business Development
- Supports business and competitive intelligence for the Education Division, as appropriate;
- Contributes to capture planning and proposal development through support to the planning of reconnaissance and fact-finding trips in preparation for bids;
- Participates in bid staffing interviews, as appropriate;
- Supports the drafting of proposal sections and development of budgets, assists with proposal recruitment process, supports development of marketing materials; and,
- Fulfills other duties as needed and appropriate
- Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field and four years of relevant experience working in the education sector, or a Master’s degree and two years of relevant experience in the education sector;
- Prior experience in international development in a donor funded setting (USAID preferred);
- Prior experience in developing and monitoring proposal and project budgets;
- Experience working with consultants and vendors;
- Experience organizing and managing program/project knowledge/information;
- 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 working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, etc.).
Desired Skills and Qualifications
- Prior project backstopping experience for a USAID or Department of State project (specifically Education for Development projects);
- Experience supporting small grants programs;
- Strong knowledge of U.S. government donor regulations;
- Proficiency in a second language (Spanish or French preferred);
- In country project implementation or management experience.
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias
- In partnership with HR, support the leadership team in ensuring equitable experiences, strengthening inclusion acumen, and promoting a culture of inclusivity and belonging that embraces the contributions of all team members.
The Salary Range for this position is expected to be: $ 55,800 - $ 68,300.
An employee’s pay position will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, rele-vant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, performance, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs.
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, ge-netic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, Ameri-Corps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply. #LI-IB1
Accessibility Notice: If you need a 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
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
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