Deputy Chief of Party – Job vacancy at Creative Associates International, Ethiopia

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.

Position Summary:

Creative Associates seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the upcoming five-year USAID-funded Early Childhood Education (ECE) Activity in Ethiopia to strengthen Ethiopia’s ECE systems by administering systems strengthening interventions which promote high-quality and responsive Early Childhood Development (ECD) at the federal, regional, woreda, kebele, and household levels. Based out of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the DCOP will be responsible for supporting the Chief of Party (COP) in management of staff, capacity building and stakeholder engagement, and overseeing the project’s operations. They will coordinate the development, implementation, and reporting of operational management activities (e.g. procurement, grants management, and finance).

This position will report to the Chief of Party.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide oversight of operations teams, including procurement, finance, grants, logistics, HR, security, and administrative support staff.
• Ensure project delivery meets best practice standard operational policies and procedures for impact and compliance, with specific focus on AIDAR conformity.
• Provide financial and operational management that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor.
• Oversee development, delivery, capacity building, and monitoring of subgrantees.
• Oversee management of all procurement activities to ensure smooth and efficient implementation of project activities.
• Manage consortium partnerships from an operational context and maintain collaborative partner relations to ensure effective delivery of project support needs.
• Support operational reporting to USAID through formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports, etc.
• Assist the COP in maintaining active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions.
• Represent the project and the organization in the public and ensuring the distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned.
• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in managerial roles on similar programs in developing countries, including substantial supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Education, International development, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Previous experience as DCOP or manager for other large-scale donor funded projects.
• Substantial experience with USAID compliance related to procurement, grants, and audit requirements.
• Experience with projects designed to increase equitable access, build Ministry of Education capacity, and recovery of education systems preferred.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience scaling up activities of similar scope and in similar contexts.
• Demonstrated success incorporating innovation and participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming into implementation.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Fluency in English (Reading, writing, and presentation skills) is required.
• Fluency in Amharic and/or other local languages preferred.