Creative Associates International
Overview
Creative Associates International (Creative) 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 (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS), 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 a Technical Advisor (TA) to work under general supervision and perform a variety of complex work assignments within his/her technical area, as well as provide program support to an assigned area. This is an exciting opportunity to help grow, capture technical knowledge and learning, and integrate evidence-based, innovative technical approaches as part of a dynamic and expanding economic growth portfolio in agricultural development, climate change, climate smart agriculture, food systems, competitiveness, entrepreneurship, innovative and blended finance, trade, investment, private sector partnerships, market development/diversification, women’s and youth economic empowerment, and work force development. The TA will play a key technical leadership and advisory role on business development and program implementation initiatives and provide thought leadership and innovative and state-of-the-art solutions in his/her technical area, as well as serve as a backstop for programs in his/her technical area. The candidate will have deep familiarity with market systems approaches, and key donor policies and strategies. This position will focus heavily on business development for the Division. S/he will lead capture teams, technical design, and proposal writing, including development of technical design, theories of change, results frameworks, programmatic approaches and strategies, activities, and partnerships. The TA will establish a network of partners and technical experts to support key personnel recruitment. The position requires regular international travel.
Reporting & Supervision:
The TA will report to the Director of Business Development, Economic Growth.
Expected Outcomes:
Leadership
Provides technical leadership and contributions to business development and proposal design, programming, thought leadership, and resources in a specific technical area that leads to high quality programs. Assures that field and HQ staff are well supported in the execution of their responsibilities.
New Business Development
Leads and contributes technical expertise to capture, design, and writing of strong, winning proposals. TAs bring an entrepreneurial spirit, seizing opportunities in the local marketplace, creating and nurturing opportunities for new business generation, and visibly represent the company with stakeholders. Plans and executes new business pursuits with technical insight and intellectual curiosity.
Technical Leadership
Performs research and analysis contributing to technical resources. May represent a technical practice area in client relations and with key audiences. Provides successful leadership and support to technical proposal design and field programs. Works to enhance technical policy and best practice materials.
Learning & Adaptation
Contributes to Creative’s visibility and excellence in the specific technical area through participation in external networks and communities of practice, providing short-term technical assistance to field programs and building capacity locally. Develops and cultivates networks of technical and functional experts; contributes to and leads elements of divisional learning agenda and practice area technical learning and strategies.
Responsibilities
- Leads and contributes technical expertise to capture, program design, and program implementation in a specific technical area;
- Leads and/or participates in capture trips by developing scopes of work, objectives and agendas for meetings, and identifies potential partners and candidates for program implementation; establishes and manages local and other relationships and partnerships throughout the capture and during proposal development phases; obtains cost, legal and other pertinent operational information; provides regular updates to proposal and program management teams;
- Leads and/or participates in the proposal development process; contributes to overall technical design and strategy; and serves as technical lead writer, contributing writer, or other section writer, as necessary;
- Provides mentoring and other targeted support to colleagues on technical design and writing related to bid preparation; and
- Provides contextual analysis and data to inform technical sections of proposals or in support of program implementation teams in 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;
- Participates in industry working groups and other related fora;
- Develops technical materials and knowledge products, and liaises with Knowledge Management, Communications, and other support divisions in HQ, as needed;
- Provides targeted support to or backstops field programs on technical, financial, and administrative tasks, as assigned; and
- Works closely with the Contracts department preparing documentation for submission to the Contracting Officer.
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;
- Experience serving in a technical advisory capacity on short-term technical assignments, totaling at least four to six months of field time;
- Experience in program design and management of USAID, DOS, and/or other donor-funded initiatives;
- Demonstrated ability to produce results on specific assignments in diverse country and operational contexts;
- Experience in an international development, donor-funded setting, including client interactions, stakeholder engagement, partnership building, and relationship management;
- Strong writing and editing skills;
- Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills;
- Ability to work independently and in team environments;
- 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
- Ability to speak a second language other than English
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-NB1
Accessibility Notice: If you need 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.
PI202376893