Company Profile

Creative Associates International Inc. is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. 

Job Description

• Strengthening Accountability in Ghana’s Education System (SAGES)
• Education Division
• Position: Chief of Party (COP)
• Position Location: Accra, Ghana

    
Position Summary
Creative Associates seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USAID-funded project that seeks to strengthen accountability policies, systems and responsiveness of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ghana Education Services (GES) and schools (School Management Committees and head teachers) for improved primary education service delivery and learning outcomes.  This project will work with the MOE and its agencies at the central, sub-national and local levels throughout the country, and may include the following focal areas: monitoring and supervision, national assessments, school inspection, education management information system (EMIS), and community engagement.  The COP provides overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise for the project’s activities as well as serves as the primary liaison with USAID and the Government of Ghana on management and technical matters. 

Reporting & Supervision:
The COP will report directly to the Project Director at headquarters and will supervise various project staff.
 
Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee the overall management and implementation of project activity;
• Supervise activity implementation and ensure the activity meets stated goals and reporting requirements;
• Actively engage key national and local government, school management committees, and civil society stakeholders and other USAID-funded implementing partners;
• Actively identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner, and suggest appropriate program adjustments;
• Produce and oversee production of deliverables related to improved primary education service delivery, increased accountability of education systems, increased transparency of data and budgets, and strengthened community level involvement and accountability;
• Oversee the coordination of local and international partners, as well as sub-recipients and sub-grantees;
• Facilitate and support partnerships, collaboration, and collective action between a diverse group of local stakeholders;
• Mentor and coach staff to support their professional development and application of skills and knowledge to succeed in their roles;
• Manage a diverse team to deliver impact within agreed timelines.

Required Skills or Experience

• An advanced degree in education, business administration, economics, international development, social sciences, or a related field;
• At least 10 years of experience in areas of education policy formation and operationalization, social accountability and/or public administration, with at least 4 years in a managerial or team leader capacity;
• At least five years of experience in the education or governance sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in Ghana; 
• Demonstrated expertise in local governance supporting education service delivery, budgeting and citizen engagement in education. 
• Demonstrated experience in management and oversight of programs that are of a similar scope, size, and complexity to this activity;
• Knowledge of USAID and understanding of the USAID Education Policy, implementation guidance and education related goals under the Ghana Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) is desirable;
• Experience with adaptive management approaches, collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) and overseeing M&E activities on donor-funded projects;
• The candidate must be professionally proficient and fluent in written and spoken English.