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Director Instructional Systems and Educational Governance

Creative Associates International Inc. is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in more than two dozen countries with a 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 strong reputation among its clients and missions worldwide, and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. Creative Associates International combines one of the strongest education practices in the international development community with a long history of program delivery in conflict, post-conflict, stabilization, and more mature settings. This position requires a senior education specialist with broad experience in donor-sponsored international education programming and proven expertise in multiple technical areas that are relevant to the Instructional Systems/Educational Governance Practice Area such as early grade student assessment, ICT applications in education, instructional quality improvements, teacher training and professional development, decentralization, or community mobilization. The senior education specialist will focus on leading and shaping a team of experienced educational professionals in building a distinct, branded practice area capable of delivering state-of-the-educational support services across broad and diverse circumstances. This is a senior management position with substantial independence and managerial latitude. It encompasses all aspects of practice management, market development, entrepreneurial business capture, professional team leadership, and effective program delivery in challenging settings.

Position Summary

This Director will provide technical leadership and managerial support to a Practice Area team comprised of dedicated professionals working on projects involving instructional systems and educational governance. EMC Senior Associates also participate in project management, business development, and division leadership, as described below.

Reporting and Supervision

The Director – Instructional Systems and Educational Governance reports to the Vice President and Director of the Education, Mobilization and Communication (EMC) Division.

Primary Responsibilities

1. As Technical Leader:

Analyzes, catalogues, organizes the firm's experience in instructional systems and educational governance.
Distills current and past activities into best practices and coherent approaches in instructional systems and educational governance.
Provides leadership and technical guidance to senior staff, project directors, Chiefs of Party in the field.
Provides technical leadership and influences the field of instructional systems and educational governance.
2. As Marketer and Business Developer for the Practice Area

Analyzes and organizes the "instructional systems and educational governance" marketplace, identifies new business targets and leads or contributes significantly to capture preparation--teaming, strategic recruitment, etc.
Analyzes the competitive field, develops fitting alliances, and strategic partnerships.
Drives the business development process--leads proposal development, strategy development, sub-contractor negotiations.
Creates sophisticated market strategies to position the firm as a leading contender for specific market opportunities.
3. As Manager of a Vibrant Portfolio

Ensures overall technical and financial performance of projects in portfolio.
Works with DC-based Project Directors and, through them, COPs to ensure projects achieve contract/agreement deliverables.
Troubleshoots technical, contractual, and personnel issues when they arise; serves as a conduit for negotiation with corporate offices and senior management. Ensures compliance to the firm's policies and procedures.
Serves as Project Director on selected projects or as interim project director as needed.
Manages the firm's senior-level relationship with the client; leads extraordinary negotiations with client in representation of the firm.
Manages the firm's senior-level relationship with sub-contractor and services providers; leads negotiations (in collaboration with the firm's Office of Contracts)
Oversees the preparation of quarterly and annual reports to the client.
Assists in recruiting of key personnel and consultants.
Over time, provides technical and programmatic coherence to project design and execution.
4. As a senior member of the EMC Division

Participates in divisional management, planning and strategic decision-making.
Contributes to the creation of a technically rigorous and intellectually nurturing environment.
Builds networks, publishes and engages the field to enhance the public image and competitiveness of the division.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Master's degree in education or closely related field;
A minimum of 12 years of experience in international development;
A minimum of 8 years of experience in international education in developing countries;
Prior experience with USAID-sponsored programming, preferably in the education sector;
Strong and demonstrated project management experience;
Strong and demonstrated capture management and proposal development experience;
Strong communications skills; and
Team leadership skills.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

PhD in education or closely related field;
Strong knowledge of the developmental education sector;
In-depth knowledge of USAID education programming;
Experience in conflict, post conflict and transitional settings;
Experience in the field, preferably as Chief of Party; and
Academic background, research experience, publishing in technical areas concerning position;
Working fluency in a pertinent second language.
How to apply
Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please complete and submit our simple on-line form, where you can upload your résumé and other documents.

www.creativeassociatesinternational.com

Only if you are unable to submit online, may you send your résumé and cover letter by e-mail to Recruitment@CreativeDC.com with "Director - Instructional Systems and Educational Governance Practice Area CODE:HDQ48160" on the subject line. Please note only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls please. Creative is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE/AA).