USAID Ecuador Youth Development 

Chief of Party   

Position Location: Ecuador  

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 (USAID) 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.    

Project Summary: The anticipated USAID-funded Youth Development Program in Ecuador aims to support youth economic activities to mitigate the potential for illegal recruitment into illicit behavior by providing avenues for employment and entrepreneurship. This program will reduce the likelihood of social tensions, protests, and crime by generating economic opportunities for youth as an alternative to illicit engagement. The activity will achieve this through three core objectives: (1) Develop Youth Capacity to Excel in Society and the Formal Economy, (2) Incentivize Private Sector Employment Generation, and (3) Facilitate Legal Labor Pathways Abroad for Temporary Employment Opportunities. 

Position Summary: Creative Associates seeks a Chief of Party (COP) to lead the anticipated USAID-funded Youth Development Program in Ecuador. The COP will provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise for the project’s activities and will serve as the primary liaison with USAID on management and technical matters. 

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Strategic Leadership: Provide overall management and vision for the project, including planning, coordination, and quality control for deliverables to USAID. 

• Client Relationship Management: Serve as the primary liaison with USAID/Ecuador, managing the client relationship and ensuring compliance with contractual technical deliverables and reporting requirements. 

• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders and counterparts, ensuring effective coordination of project management and planning. 

• Budget Management: Guarantee that all project deliverables exceed expectations and are managed within budgetary constraints. 

• Integration of Activities: Ensure integration of all project activities through annual work plans, effective project management teams, and an efficient monitoring and evaluation system. 

• Supervision: Supervise key technical and operational staff, providing guidance and support for project implementation. 

• Reporting: Oversee the delivery of high-quality reports and results to USAID, including quarterly and annual reports, annual work plans, technical reports, and financial reports. 

• Workplace Practices: Develop and implement inclusive and supportive workplace practices to maintain high staff morale and retention. 

• Technical Oversight: Provide technical guidance and oversight to ensure the technical soundness of project activities. 

• Partnership Development: Establish and foster collaborative partnerships with organizations focused on youth development, employment, and entrepreneurship. 

• Project Coordination: Coordinate all project activities and personnel to ensure seamless implementation and achievement of project goals. 

• Risk Management: Actively identify and mitigate risks related to project implementation in a timely manner. 

• Capacity Building: Ensure the integration of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles and local capacity strengthening into project activities. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Skills & Qualifications:  

• Advanced degree in economics, business administration, international development, education, or a related field. 

• Minimum 10 years of experience designing and implementing youth development and economic growth programs of similar scope and scale. 

• Minimum five years of progressively increasing management experience (COP, DCOP, or equivalent) on donor-funded projects in the youth development sector; USAID experience preferred. 

• Experience and expertise in youth development, employment generation, and entrepreneurship. 

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant USAID policies and strategies, including USAID’s Youth in Development Policy, Economic Growth Policy, Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy, Private Sector Engagement Policy, and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Framework. 

• Experience in and commitment to advancing equity and inclusion of women, youth, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. 

• Ability to cultivate effective working relationships with government officials, civil society organizations, education/training institutions, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders. 

• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience working in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams. 

• Experience in youth development and economic growth in Ecuador is highly preferred. 

• Fluency in English required. Professional fluency in written and spoken Spanish is required. 

• Ecuador Nationals highly preferred. 

Position contingent upon donor funding.    

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

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.