Overview
Background:
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 Technical Advisor provides technical guidance and expertise to EG programming and business development; and is a contributor to the EG division's industry engagement, thought leadership, and technical communications. The Technical Advisor spends a significant percentage of time ( 60%) on business development, serving as technical lead, lead writer, contributing writer, capture lead, reviewer, or subject matter expert on proposal efforts. The Technical Advisor will provide technical inputs to the development and execution of the EG annual business plans and multi-year strategic plan. This includes developing internal and external communications, thought leadership, and positioning documents and activities; desk research and networking to identify and bring to Creative new and promising technical approaches, potential partners, and staff; and presenting Creative's work in industry forums, conferences, and meetings with partners and clients. The Technical Advisor may serve as Technical Subject Matter Expert for project(s) and may participate in field assignments that include providing targeted technical assistance to a project and representing Creative at meetings with clients, external stakeholders, and government officials.
The EG Technical Advisor will have broad technical expertise in economic growth and development, with a particular focus on workforce development, TVET, livelihoods development, youth employment, private sector engagement, trade and investment, and/or private sector competitiveness. The EG Technical Advisor will also have technical expertise in a cross-cutting area such as gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), climate change and environmental sustainability, youth engagement, and/or digital development and innovation.
Reporting & Supervision:
The Technical Advisor reports to a Senior Technical Advisor or Principal Technical Advisor and may supervise Senior Technical Managers or Associate(s). Field SMEs or Technical Leads from projects may have dotted reporting lines to this position.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities:
- Plays a key role in business development to assure continued portfolio development within the EG technical area, specifically:
- Serving as a Subject Matter Expert for business development initiatives within the EG division and in other Creative technical divisions
- Leading and/or participating in capture activities, including conducting desk research and in-country capture trips
- Supporting proposal development by contributing to the technical project design and writing technical proposal sections and/or serving as Lead Technical Writer.
- Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with partner and/or donor organizations as well as developing a network of technical experts
- Provides technical assistance to projects that ensures high-quality technical delivery of program implementation. This includes:
- Serving as a technical point of contact for field staff, maintaining strong relationships and communication between field and HQ staff to support project needs as they arise
- Contributing to the preparation of project reports and other project deliverables from a technical standpoint
- Providing mentoring, training, and technical capacity strengthening to project teams, project partners, and other project stakeholders
- Provides internal and external technical thought leadership by:
- Providing technical input to company-wide initiatives and cross functional teams
- Regularly representing Creative at industry events through active participation in panels, speaking engagements, and presentations; and participating in industry working groups and other technical platforms, taking leadership roles when possible
- Researching, analyzing, and writing technical briefs, blog posts, guidance notes, and other internal and external communications that deepen Creative technical knowledge and positioning within the industry
Qualifications
Minimum Skills & Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree and 10 years of relevant USAID or USG experience or master's degree and 8 years of relevant USAID or USG experience.
- Technical expertise in an economic growth-related area, such as workforce development, livelihoods development, private sector engagement, trade and investment, and private sector competitiveness is a must. Experience in cross cutting technical areas like gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), climate change and environmental sustainability, youth engagement, and/or digital development and innovation is preferable.
- Familiarity with key USAID policies and technical guidance such as, but not limited to: Economic Growth Policy, Private Sector Engagement Policy, Digital Strategy, Local Systems Framework, Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Policy, and Climate Strategy.
- Ability to explain complex topics in technical sector to non-sector experts with focus on current research and best practices.
- Experience with business development for USAID-funded programs, from opportunity identification to proposal submission, including demonstrated ability to write technical proposal sections in response to USAID-issued solicitations.
- Experience living and/or working in a development country context, preferably on a USAID-funded or other donor-funded program.
- Demonstrated expertise in MS Office, with ability to navigate Excel with little support.
- Willingness to travel up to 8 weeks per year.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated proposal writing skills.
- Ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team.
Desired Skills and Qualifications
- Experience managing and mentoring junior staff.
- Additional experience with a non-USG international donor a plus.
- Foreign Language skills in French, Spanish, or Arabic preferred.
