Chief of Party - USAID/WBG Basic Education Activity

Job Locations: PS-Ramallah

Category: Program Management

Overview

Background: Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence in more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Project Summary: Creative Associates seeks a Chief of Party (COP) to lead the USAID-funded West Bank Gaza Basic Education Activity, which will strengthen education services for Palestinian children of KG 1 through Grade 6 that enable them to thrive and reach their full developmental potential. Under the Basic Education Activity, USAID seeks to work with the private sector, non-formal, non-governmental, community-based, UN, and civil society partners to strengthen early childhood and primary educational opportunities through high-quality early childhood education services and supplemental support structures to strengthen foundational pre-primary and primary education for children in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Specific areas of focus include strengthening foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning (SEL)/soft skills, education in emergencies, emergency response, education recovery, building teacher and student resilience capabilities and assets, and strengthening pathways between non-formal to formal education.

The COP will be responsible for the overall vision technical leadership and management of project implementation and staff care in a complex and crisis/conflict-affected environment. The COP will act as a coach and mentor and will lead the capacity building of staff and partners. The COP will build successful relationships to facilitate project implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee technical implementation and operational management of the activity.
• Supervise activity implementation and ensure the activity meets stated goals and reporting requirements under extremely difficult programming conditions.
• Serve as primary liaison to USAID, implementing partners, and key education stakeholders in the country, including government officials, civil society organizations, and other donor-funded implementing partners.
• Supervise, mentor, coach, and ensure professional development opportunities for a diverse program team.
• Ensure staff morale and wellness in West Bank and Gaza offices are prioritized.
• Foster a collaborative working environment where teamwork is rewarded, and differences and diversity are embraced.
• Determine annual priorities, develop work plans, and ensure the program responds to changing conditions and operating environments, in conjunction with USAID and Creative Headquarters.
• Oversee and ensure technical soundness in overall approach and project activities; ensure that GESI principles and local capacity strengthening are fully integrated into implementation.
• Work collaboratively with the DCOP to oversee project operational, financial, and administrative systems and processes, ensuring streamlined and compliant project management.
• Lead and oversee a diverse team of professionals, both from Headquarters and in the field, to identify and address operational, logistical, and technical activities within the challenging and dynamic environment of Gaza.
• Coordinate with the Emergency Education Cluster, as well as various INGOs and local organizations, to identify opportunities for collaboration and enhance the effectiveness of project implementation.
• Establish and foster collaborative partnerships with organizations working in education, youth development, and related subjects; oversee the coordination of implementing partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

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Qualifications 

• Advanced degree in education, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience managing and leading large, complex donor-funded, preferably USAID, education activities in developing countries.
• At least three of the ten years of experience must be in education programming, with either early childhood education or non-formal education.
• Experience in education in emergencies, conflict settings, and/or fragile states.
• Experience maintaining relationships with a broad range of stakeholders such as donors, implementing partners, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant USAID policies and strategies, including USAID’s Education Policy; Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy; Youth in Development Policy; and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting-Framework.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of USG rules and regulations and specific requirements and restrictions unique to the context.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience working in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
• Experience working in the West Bank/Gaza and/or the MENA region is highly preferred
• English language proficiency, including excellent English communication skills and advanced writing capabilities, is required.
• Professional fluency in spoken Arabic is preferred.

Local and regional candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected] 

The deadline for receiving the applications is: October 10th, 2024

Position contingent upon donor approval. 

Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran