Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global
development firm that specializes in education, economic growth,
democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C.,
Creative has a field presence in more than 15 countries with a strong
client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International
Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding
in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is
well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Job Position: Program Director / Deputy Chief of Party
Position Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Position Summary:
The Program Director / Deputy Chief of Party will be responsible for
program development, learning and practical implementation of those
lessons for Creative’s program in Nigeria. The position will be based in
the head office, located in Abuja, with work expected to be carried out
in the North East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. In the absence of
the COP, the Program Director will serve as the COP.
Reporting & Supervision:
Reporting directly to the COP, the Program Director/DCOP will support
the COP in developing and implementing program activities in line with
the program strategy. S/he will directly supervise the Grants team,
Monitoring & Evaluation team, and Reporting Officer, and will
closely coordinate with program development staff in Abuja and in the
state offices.
Primary Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, the Program Director/DCOP will:
- Oversee the activity development process, and will provide direct
management of the grants unit, ensuring coordination and communication
with activity development staff in the state offices and Abuja;
- Along with the COP, engage OTI counterparts to guide program
strategy, including setting objectives, developing theories of change,
and supporting program expansion into neighboring areas if required;
- Directly oversee program development and implementation of national
level activities, and establish processes to connect national activities
with state activities and with the broader program strategy;
- Identify program opportunities and potential local partners;
- Provide management oversight of the M&E and research functions
on the program, ensuring coordination and mutual support between Program
and M&E teams, and establishing feedback processes to ensure that
activity lessons and research outcomes feed into and inform the activity
design process. Travel to state offices in Yobe, Borno and Admawa to
ensure that lessons are practically applied into activity design;
- Act as the Chief of Party when s/he is absent from the program; and
- Perform additional tasks as assigned.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Relevant work experience, including experience with a donor,
contractor or international NGO managing an office or program with some
demonstrated supervisory experience;
- A minimum of four (4) years of experience working on complex,
high-speed and challenging field operations in transition environments;
- Experience working in post-conflict and resource-limited environments is required;
- Experience with activity design, development, and implementation;
- Exceptional organization skills and ability to work and multi-task under pressure;
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with culturally and
geographically diverse staff, fostering overall good dynamics within and
between teams;
- Fluency in written and oral English is required.
- Experience with activity design, development, and implementation, and close-out;
- Experience with grant management;
- Capacity to understand and analyze national, regional, and local
politics; to guide the program staff in creatively designing grants that
relate to the current country context;
Desired Skills & Qualifications:
- Experience with in-kind and small grants, preferably programs that
require various and simultaneous procurements of goods and services and
management of providers of short-term technical assistance;
- Proficiency in French is an advantage but not required; and
- University degree in a relevant field highly desired, but not required.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should
Click Here to Apply
