Program Officer – Gombe at Creative Associates International

Creative Associates International provides outstanding, on-the-ground development services and forges partnerships to deliver sustainable solutions to global challenges. Its experts focus on building inclusive educational systems, transitioning communities from conflict to peace, developing sustainable economic growth, engaging youth, promoting transparent elections and more. Creative is recognized for its ability to quickly adapt and excel in conflict and post-conflict environments. To deliver a high degree of service, innovative theories of change and solid project evaluation, Creative is divided into four program divisions: Education Communities in Transition Economic Growth Cross Function Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has been a results-driven organization. In the area of education, for example, since 2000 Creative has trained nearly 390,000 teachers in new strategies, approaches and pedagogical techniques. About 45 percent of the teachers are based in Africa. Thanks to the support of international clients, multilateral donors and the private sector, Creative has active programs in 20 countries-from Honduras to Tanzania and Yemen to Cambodia. Since its founding, Creative has undertaken projects in more than 85 countries. Today, the Creative counts on a professional staff of more than 1,000 people around the world who are committed to working with officials, nongovernmental organizations and community members to realize the positive change they seek.

• Job Type: Full Time
• Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
• Experience: 4 years
• Location: Gombe
• Job Field: Project Management 

Job Summary:

The Program Officer will be part of the Technical Assistance (TA) Unit working in close collaboration with the On-Demand Team to assist in designing and developing project activities for the On-Demand States. The Officer will help develop and technically implement field activities together with the main partners and stakeholders. This work will be done in accordance with Creative’s rules and procedures and within the budget allocated by the client (USAID).

Essential Duties:

• In collaboration with project’s beneficiaries and project gram team, assist in the strategic design and development of the project activities for the On- Demand states (ODS).
• Assist in drafting activity concept notes, budgets, trip requests, and approval forms for the On-Demand Services Advisor’s review prior to submission to Senior Management for approval.
• Manage the documentation of field activities (reports, attendance, & media) and draft activity reports for the OD Advisor’s review and finalization.
• Support Implementation Team in the design of milestone deliverables for project activities and provide technical review and concurrence of milestone completion after activity award.
• In collaboration with the On Demand Services Advisor, provide day to day technical oversight of activity portfolio as needed, to ensure effective programmatic delivery that meets the objectives of each activity as well as the project’s indicators and deliverables.
• Contribute to weekly, quarterly, and ad hoc reporting coordinating with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to ensure project specific objectives, indicators and deliverables are met.
• Draft Scopes of Work (SOW), contact experts/consultants/grantees, and write selection memos.
• Supervise the work of consultants/grantees to ensure they comply with their SOWs and produce deliverables on time and with the highest professional quality.
• Ensure that consultants/grantees submit reports in a timely fashion and in conformity with their SOWs (weekly reports, final reports, contribution to Creative field weekly reports, etc.).
• Manage SharePoint (and Signinghub) with all required documentation clearly organized and easily accessible (agendas, list of participants, workshop materials, etc.)
• Represent the ODS Regional Adviser (or the TA Unit) in meetings and at conferences when requested.
• Coordinate with procurement and operations team, as needed, to ensure effective project design and development of activities.
• In consultation of Finance and Operations teams, support/supervise the processing of payments to staff, consultants, grantees, and activity participants.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Required Education & Experience, Skills and Abilities

• High School diploma required, bachelor’s degree highly desired.
• Professional qualifications in accounting, finance, business, and/or international development highly desired.
• At least 4 years of prior work experience (4+ years of general work experience and including at least 2+ years of specific experience related to the position required.
• Demonstrated professional experience and knowledge in designing components programming under donor regulations, preferably with the United States Government (USG)
• Advanced knowledge of Spoken and Written English highly desired, medium level required.
• Competent computer skills are essential.
• Understanding of budget and cost control management is essential.
• Ability to work under pressure and efficiently handle multiple tasks; and
• Ability to work under own initiative or as a part of a team.

Method of Application