Deputy Chief of Party - Technical

Background: Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm specializing 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, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners.  

Summary: Creative Associates seeks a Deputy Chief of Party – Technical to provide technical leadership and oversight for the USAID-funded West Bank & Gaza Basic Education Activity (BEA). Under the Basic Education Activity, USAID seeks to work with the private sector, non-formal, non-governmental, and community-based 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 anticipated include strengthening foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning (SEL)/soft skills, building teacher and student resilience capabilities and assets, and strengthening pathways between non-formal and formal education.

**Please note this is a local recruitment, and only citizens or permanent residents from Palestine will be considered**

This position is contingent on client approval.

Responsibilities: The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) - Technical will collaborate closely with the Chief of Party (COP) to provide technical leadership and guidance in implementing project activities. The DCOP - Technical will oversee the planning and implementation of activities in the West Bank and Gaza, ensuring that technical approaches and solutions are effective, align with USAID’s technical and quality standards, and that the program operates according to established technical priorities and objectives. The DCOP – Technical will directly supervise the Ramallah-based Component Leads (ECE Lead and Primary Education Lead), technical specialists, and the Engineer, coordinate closely with the Senior MEL Manager, and provide technical oversight to the Gaza-based Senior Education Specialist and Gaza technical activities.

Duties will include but not be limited to:

• Assist the COP in ensuring that the program is delivered according to the contractual and compliance requirements of the cooperative agreement.
• Provide technical leadership, engaging closely with component leads, specialists, and the MEL team to support the development of sound, evidence-based technical solutions for all BEA key activities.
• Support the COP in fostering and maintaining strong relationships with USAID and in-country stakeholders as a representative of the project and develop rapid responses to requests.
• Lead development of annual implementation plan in coordination with COP, DCOP Operations/Finance, and technical teams.
• Actively participate and represent the project in technical advisory/working groups, clusters, and professional forums.
• Facilitate the Early Childhood Advisory Group (ECAG) and Primary Advisory Group (PAG)
• Assist the COP in setting priorities and direction for the technical teams based on program requirements, the approved AIP, and client expectations.
• Facilitate coordination with cross-functional teams and partners to implement technical activities in the West Bank and Gaza and ensure harmonization of project activities across teams.
• Ensure that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timetable and budget, reports are submitted according to agreed schedules, MEL targets are met, and any other requirements or criteria are fulfilled.
• Develop and manage detailed work plans for each activity, including all dependencies, milestones, timelines, coordination, resources, and staffing; coordinate with Component Leads in the West Bank and Gaza to conduct regular reviews of activity progress, identify and remove roadblocks, and recommend course correction measures, as needed, to ensure activities stay on track.
• Ensure integration of SEL and inclusive education across activities.
• Ensure adequate levels of technical and operational support to complete requirements.
• Work with M&E staff to design and implement a plan to track data/results to inform adjustments in project implementation
• Coordinate with MEL and Component Leads to ensure that activities incorporate proper MEL mechanisms, account for targets, and meet adequate and timely reporting requirements.
• Document successes, lessons learned and challenges in implementation, as well as reports of project activities and results, including routine quarterly and annual reports and other reporting requirements as requested
• Manage and motivate direct reports to achieve program objectives
• Ensure clear and timely communication and feedback on deliverables, empowering Component Leads to drive activities forward.

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• Advanced degree (PhD or MA) from an accredited university in Education, Early Childhood Education, or related field
• Minimum 10 years of working experience in the field of early childhood education, remedial education, non-formal education, foundational learning, extracurricular programming or girls’ education programs
• Experience working in developing and/or humanitarian contexts within the Education sector and an understanding of the local context
• Experience in using assessment and measurement tools and developing materials for ECE and BE
• Experience in developing monitoring and evaluation systems for education programs, highly desired
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to develop relations with technical staff, local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders
• Minimum four (4) years of work experience in the MENA region
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Fluency in Arabic and working proficiency in English

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected] The deadline for receiving the applications is: 5th Dec 2024

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

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