Creative Associates International
Overview
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:
Creative seeks an Associate Director of Business Development to support continued growth in its’ Communities in Transition (CIT) division. The role will primarily support business development in CIT by serving as the lead writer on various proposals related to the division’s technical areas (i.e., stabilization, transitions, governance, etc. ). The position will work under the supervision of the CIT Director of Business Development and Strategy and provide overall business development support through writing, mentoring, reviewing sections, and leading proposal efforts from capture to submission. The role will also work closely with the central growth office and business development unit to provide oversight, quality control, and leadership on the proposals assigned, as well as train staff on business development and technical writing. It is expected that the position will require international travel to prepare for proposal development.
Reporting & Supervision:
The Associate Director (AD) will report to the Director of Business Development and Strategy, CIT.
Responsibilities
Expected Outcomes:
Leadership
Provides technical writing and proposal development leadership for any proposals assigned within the CIT Division. The role is expected to also provide mentorship to new technical or contributing writers.
New Business Development
Provides proposal development experience and expertise to capture, design, and writing of strong, winning proposals. The position is expected to bring an entrepreneurial spirit, seizing opportunities in the local marketplace, creating and nurturing opportunities for new business generation, and visibly represents the company with stakeholders. Plans and executes new business pursuits with technical insight and intellectual curiosity.
Responsibilities
- Serves as a lead writer on capture and proposal efforts for USAID and other donors in Creative’s CIT division. This may include areas such as stabilization, transitions, governance, civil society, elections, countering violent extremism, human security, etc.
- Develops key proposal products including annotated outlines, executive summaries technical approach sections, and material to support oral presentations.
- Participates in capture trips by developing a scope of work for trips, objectives and agendas for meetings, identifies potential partners and candidates for program implementation; establishes local relationships during proposal development and capture phases; obtains cost information pertinent for budgeting; provides regular updates to senior leaders;
- Participates in proposal strategy, design, writing, and revie sessions with business development ad technical teams throughout the life of the proposal
- Participates in the proposal development process; contributes to program design and serves as technical lead writer or contributing writer, or other sections as necessary.
- Provides mentoring and support to other colleagues in writing proposal sections and in other processes related to bid preparation;
- Provides contextual analysis and information from relevant/key sources to inform technical sections of proposals or in support of project implementation with project teams for his/her technical area;
- Participates in the recruitment process for key and non-key personnel;
- Develops and maintains strong working relationships with partner and/or donor organizations;
- Provides training and mentoring to build the capacity of CIT staff in technical writing
- Participates in industry working groups and other fora;
- Develops technical materials and knowledge products, and liaises with Knowledge Management, Communications, and other support divisions in HQ as needed;
- Provides/backstops field projects on technical, financial, and administrative tasks, as assigned;
- Works closely with the Contracts department preparing documentation for submission to the Contracting Officer; supports field teams, as required.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and eight years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree and six years of relevant experience;
- Knowledge of the international development industry and donors, specifically USAID;
- Experience writing winning technical proposals in the field of international development, with preference given to technical areas that fall underneath communities in transition;
- Ability to work autonomously and in team environment under critical deadline pressures
- Experience in quickly demonstrating the ability to produce results on specific assignments in diverse country and program contexts.
- Considerable skill and experience in U.S. government donor regulations;
- Experience in an international development donor funded setting and interacting with client representatives and other project stakeholders;
- Strong writing and editing skills; excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills;
- Ability to multi-task under tight deadlines; ability to travel internationally on short notice; and
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, etc.).
Desired Skills and Qualifications
- Proficiency in a language other than English.
An employee’s pay position will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant 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, genetic 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 [email protected].
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.
PI201022866