Deputy Chief of Party

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 is more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio of 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. Creative Associates International has been working in Nigeria for more than a decade to support education programs in Nigeria.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching and technical assistance), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils. The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform. The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains. LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts*.*

POSITION SUMMARY

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will work under the leadership of the Chief of Party (COP) to support technical teams to implement programs that improve early grade literacy through enhanced school leadership and teacher training, improved instruction and assessment, community-based initiatives, enhanced learning delivery systems, and close coordination with government officials at the federal, state and local levels to design and implement meaningful policy reform to support quality education. The DCOP will be responsible for management of the technical activities and implementation of the project and will act as the Chief of Party (COP) in the absence of the COP.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

The Deputy Chief of Party will report to the Chief of Party.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide technical direction and guidance to technical team members, working with the COP and various technical advisors to craft technically-sound training and early grade literacy programming and develop/oversee a collaborative process for government policy reform in support of early grade reading.
• Support development of implementation strategies and work plans; coordinate day-to-day management of technical staff and technical management of the program in the field offices.
• Facilitate knowledge management, communications, and information flow for program implementation.
• Support timely report preparation, including quarterly and annual reports, and ensures reporting compliance to USAID, home office, and government counterparts.
• Maintain awareness of work plan budgets and expenditures; assist technical teams to set up and implement appropriate systems for program implementation.
• Build strong technical team management structure to enable productive and collegial team functioning with program partners and stakeholders.
• Represent the project in local, national, and international meetings and events in the absence of the COP.**Qualifications**

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Experience: At least ten years of experience in management of international development programs
• At least seven years of experience managing high-quality education for development programs required, early grade reading programs preferred.
• At least five years of experience in senior program management, including direct supervision of professional and support staff required.
• Demonstrated experience working in the education sector in Africa region, preferably sub-Saharan countries. Demonstrated experience includes work in policy advocacy, monitoring and oversight, capacity development in the education sector.
• Prior experience with USAID-funded programs, particularly education and systems strengthening projects.
• Prior experience in awarding and managing grants to local organizations to promote education-related goals.

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

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

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