Background:

Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland (within the DC metro area), this global development organization has a field presence in more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. Creative Associates International has been working in Nigeria for more than a decade to support education programs in Nigeria.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and selected Nigeria states (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching and technical assistance), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils. The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform. The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains. LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior reading programs in Nigeria to introduce a flexible, cost-efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.

POSITION SUMMARY

Provide state-based support for CLA activities, adaptive management, and cyclical project learning.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

CLA Officer report to MERLA Officer with dotted line reporting to the CLA Advisor.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with Senior MERLA Advisor and other Abuja-based staff, and MERLA Officer, to plan, schedule, and implement all CLA activities with state and local counterparts.
• Work closely with CLA Advisor and state-based MERLA Officer to plan, schedule, and implement all CLA activities with state and local counterparts.
• Support extraction of lessons and insights at the state-level into actionable recommendations and plans for program improvements.
• Support CLA plans and activities for ensuring learning is fed back to LEARN advisors and government counterpart for adaptation of approaches and interventions
• Engage stakeholders on findings from situational analyses and contextual data / information for group analysis, interpretation, dialogue and a holistic perspective.
• Support capacity building for local actors at the state level to promote evidence-based, knowledge-driven adaptive practices.
• Attend MERLA team and CLA team meetings to plan, coordinate and report on MERLA and CLA activities.
• Support state level technical report writing and documentation activities.
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in education, statistics, or related field preferred, required.
• At least three years’ experience relevant to this position required, with at least two years with supporting adaptive management and cyclical project learning with program teams
• International development experience, particularly in adaptive management or project learning
• Strong planning, organization, critical and strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills with a dynamic, engaging facilitation style.   
• Prior experience with supporting civil society-based monitoring of literacy outcomes is required. 
• Advanced proficiency in written and spoken English required.
• Proficiency in Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba preferred.

 Preferred Experience & Skills 

• Previous experience in similar role.
• Proven experience directly and indirectly supervising and managing staff and teams.
• Experience with a USAID-funded or other international organization implementing a program operating in insecure areas is desired.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Excellent record keeping, and documentation skills are required.

Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.