Position Location: Guatemala, Honduras, or El Salvador
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing
global development firm that specializes in education,
economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Position Summary:
The Youth Sector
Technical Specialist-Outcome 2 Lead (O2L) will provide technical leadership and direction on a current USAID Activity focused on providing youth the opportunity to co-create resilience-building strategies; advance their economic participation; and cultivate positive relationship and changes in their communities. Outcome 2 of the Activity specifically focuses on youth engagement, including civic engagement, and building youth and community resilience strategies. As the Youth Sector Technical Specialist-O2L, s/he will support the COP in technical
design and implementation of all activities carried out under Outcome 2 of the Activity. This includes developing Outcome 2 activities and budgets for annual work plans, ensuring that these activities are implemented on time and within budget, and coordinating with project partners to ensure high-quality implementation and impactful programming. The Youth Sector Technical Specialist-O2L must ensure that youth voice is incorporated into all aspects of the program cycle and that the project design is in line with a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach. S/he will work closely with the
Chief of Party (COP) to shape the technical approach of the project, particularly in the design, roll-out and day-to-day management and implementation of community-driven development interventions and
analysis. S/he will provide leadership and technical expertise on the components of the Activity concerning
community engagement, inclusive decision-making processes, and participatory methodologies at community level. It is expected that the Youth Sector Technical Specialist-O2L will contribute to the learning agenda developed by the MEL Lead, and apply Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approaches in order to meet youth's needs within the context of the Activity's scope, contribute to all project deliverables, including quarterly, annual, and final reports, and represent the Activity to the client and other stakeholders, as needed and appropriate.
Reporting & Supervision:
The Youth Sector Technical Specialist-O2L will report to the COP.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develop the Outcome 2 (O2) strategy and activities in collaboration with the COP and in line with the project's overall objectives;
- Ensure all O2 activities are implemented at a high-quality, on-time and within budget;
- Develop and regularly update O2 activities and budget in the annual workplan in collaboration with the COP;
- Successfully liaise with project partners in order to achieve impact;
- Manage the Activity's youth boards and oversee youth community committees;
- Develop technical products and approaches related to meaningful youth engagement, civic engagement, community participation, cross-sectoral skills development, community mobilization, etc.;
- Lead and manage the development and implementation of a programming model which allows for greater youth participation in school or community decision-making, results in greater responsiveness to youth needs, priorities and demands, and stronger accessibility of service providers;
- Responsible for overseeing the overall quality of the community driven development initiatives and ensuring that the implementation strategy reflects best practices;
- Provide technical input to and oversight of grants, including development of the technical requirements and proposal evaluation;
- Provide written inputs into project deliverables, including but not limited to quarterly, annual, and final reports;
- Represent the Activity's work and impacts to the client and other stakeholders;
- Contribute to the learning agenda and adapt the O2 strategy according to learning agenda findings;
- Supervise the work and assesses the performance of all long- and short-term advisors, consultants, and communicate expectations for staff/STTA contribution to O2 project activities;
- Maintain productive working relationships with USAID, project partners and key counterparts;
- Remain up to date on good practices and developments in youth engagement and community-driven development in order to ensure program quality and impact;
- Support COP in all technical tasks and duties, particularly working with staff and partners to translate project goals and objectives into implementable strategies and plans; and
- Respond to requests from donor and supervisors as needed. Qualifications
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- At least a Masters' degree in social work, economics, sociology, public or business administration, law, political science, international development or other relevant field (or, alternately, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 5 additional years of relevant experience);
- At least 5-8 years of relevant work experience, including experience with a Contractor or international cooperation agency, or international NGO managing an office or program;
- Prior relevant experience with USAID or any other donors-funded projects strongly preferred;
- Technical expertise in Positive Youth Development (PYD), community-driven development, civic education and engagement, youth engagement, gender and inclusion, community advocacy or institutional capacity building;
- Prior experience successfully implementing development programs in complex environment;
- Strong analytical and organizational skills;
- Demonstrated ability to quickly assess priorities and effectively manage a variety of activities at a time while paying appropriate attention to detail;
- Experience managing projects and/or an office with culturally diverse teams and working with counterparts from other cultures;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
- Ability to work independently and on a team to achieve shared goals;
- Proven experience in CLA, politically smart programming and adapting program implementation and design preferred;
- Knowledge and understanding of community and social issues,
- Familiarity with the political, social, and cultural context in Central American countries required; and
- Excellent oral and written English required.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications:
- Experience in communitarian, grassroot or faith-based organizations outreach, relationships, and partnerships in advancing organizational mission and recognizing opportunities for collaboration is preferred;
- Experience with remote management and implementation models;
- Creative thinking and problem solving, advocacy and networking skills are preferred; and
- Project Management Standard (PMP, PM4R, Agile, or other) experience or certification will be viewed as an asset.
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.
