Sr. Technical Advisor, Education for Development - 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:

 The Sr. Technical Advisor (STA)  provides expert technical guidance and expertise to programs or portfolios. The STA spends up to 40% time on business development. This may be higher or lower depending on the pipeline. This position may serve as lead writer or subject matter expert. The STA will participate in field assignments that may include providing targeted technical assistance to a project, serving in an Acting capacity for technical or management roles, including COP or DCOP, representing Creative at high-level meetings with clients, external stakeholders, and government officials, and conducting capture trips to support proposal development initiatives. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for employer sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, etc.).

The STA may serve as a Project Manager or Director for a project, depending on interest, availability and experience.

Reporting & Supervision:

 The Senior Technical Advisor reports to the Senior Technical Director in the Education Division. 

Primary Responsibilities:

Technical Assistance

• Performs research; provides analytical support; attends meetings and events; and provides technical input for project design and implementation
• Serves as a regular point of contact with field staff, maintaining strong relationships and communication between field and HQ staff to support project needs as they arise
• Provides targeted technical assistance and works to build capacity and skills among technical field team members
• Prepares technical documents for submission to the client

Business Development

• Plays a key role in the proposal development process, including serving as Lead Writer
• Participates in capture initiatives, including travel to the field
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with partner and/or donor organizations as well as developing a network of technical experts

Thought Leadership

• Serves as a subject matter expert with capture, programmatic, representational, and operational duties for a program (or programs) to assure continued portfolio development within that technical area
• Provides technical input to company-wide initiatives and cross functional teams
• Contributes to Creative’s thought leadership in their given specialty through blogs, white papers, industry working groups, conferences etc.

Minimum Skills & Qualifications:

• Master’s degree related to international relations, international administration, or development studies and ten years of relevant experience; or bachelor’s degree in one of the aforementioned areas and 15 years of relevant experience
• Previous experience with inclusion, social-emotional learning programming, universal design for learning, education finance, STEAM, or ed tech preferred
• Previous experience managing/coordinating/implementing USAID or USG programs
• Experience serving in a technical advisory role and/or field research role as a STA, Lead Field Researcher, DCOP, Regional Program Manager, Deputy Country Representative or Office Director with technical responsibilities as an LTTA or STTA
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID priorities and preferences in education
• Demonstrated expertise in MS Office
• Ability and willingness to travel (destination may include post-conflict countries)
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excited about working on new business development activities and demonstrated experience writing USAID proposals
• Strong team player and builder as well as an ability to mentor young professionals.
• Previous experience managing, mentoring, coaching, and strengthening the technical capacity of US and international staff

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Fluency in Arabic
• Experience managing/coordinating/implementing USAID projects
• Previous experience working in West Bank and/or Gaza
• Experience in the MENA region

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.  

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 Ireneb@creativedc.com. 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. #LI-IB  

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