Creative Associates International Inc. is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Description

USAID/OTI’s Littorals Regional Initiative (LRI) program supports local counterparts in Ghana, Togo and Benin to withstand the increasing pressures of violent extremist organizations (VEOs) by addressing instability factors including localized conflict, ethno-religious marginalization, lack of understanding of the VEO threat, local grievances against governance structures, and weak social cohesion. LRI complements the broader USAID presence in the region by providing short-term, targeted programming that reduces windows for VEO expansion and helps national governments and local communities build prevention capacity.

Position Summary

The Program Development Officer (PDO) is responsible for the development and implementation of a portfolio of activities. The PDO will work in close collaboration with Senior Management (including USAID/OTI) and external stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and design activities that will respond to community development priorities to further the objectives of the LRI program. The PDO is expected to liaise with government officials, civil society organizations, and community actors, and must therefore possess and display strong leadership and representational skills. The PDO, working with a small multidisciplinary team, will oversee project activities to ensure that all tasks are completed within timeframe and budget parameters defined during project design. He/she will be expected to report daily to and receive guidance from Senior Management.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

The Program Development Officer (PDO) reports to the Deputy Chief of Party-Program.

Location Note: This position will be based in Tamale, northern Ghana, Applicants must be willing to be based in northern Ghana.

Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Development Officer’s primary responsibilities are divided into four main areas: Project Oversight, Activity Development & Implementation, Stakeholder Engagement, and Reporting & Compliance.

Project Oversight:

• Provide general oversight of a portfolio of project activities, primarily based in northern Ghana, adapting as the geography of targeted communities and type of programming evolves over the course of the program.
• Monitor activity implementation to ensure timely completion and adherence to budget.
• Track the implementation of each grant activity to ensure alignment with strategic program direction, proposing and implementing corrective actions and solutions as necessary.

Activity Development & Implementation:

• Advise on programmatic design of new project activities in concert with senior management, including identification of potential local partners and participants.
• Develop activity-level Theory of Change (TOC), outlining the contribution of each activity to the overall program objective.
• Assist local partners in the co-creation of activities, including outlining objectives, timelines for implementation, expected results, and monitoring and evaluation plans with the support of M&E and Grants teams.
• Prepare program and budget information with support from Procurement staff during grant development.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation:

• Develop and maintain positive working relations with grantees, government officials, civil society actors, donors and participants in target communities, ensuring all relevant stakeholders are included.
• Train local partners on Creative and USAID policies, procedures, and methodologies, as relevant to the implementation of small grants.
• Represent the LRI program in meetings with Ghana and US government officials, USAID and donors. Prepare and deliver impactful briefings.
• Attend focus group discussions and program activities to derive lessons learned to inform future project activities.
• Conduct site visits to generate grant ideas with grantees, monitor activity implementation, and conduct impact assessments.

Reporting & Compliance:

• Feed information in a timely manner on political and security developments in the target area to contribute to the program’s learning process.
• Champion all Creative and USAID/OTI procedures and manuals (e.g., Activity Management Guide; Activity Cycle Flowchart; Field Procurement Guide; and Operational Communications, Emergency, Information, and Physical Security Plans).
• Update the activity database with relevant information, including notes summarizing activity development, implementation and outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned by the Deputy Chief of Party – Program.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree is required (Master’s preferred), with studies in social sciences or related fields.
• At least 6 years of general work experience and 4 years of relevant experience in the design, implementation, and management of community development projects, community participation, preferably in urban communities with nonprofit organizations in Ghana.
• Must have at least 3 years of management experience.
• Experience in one or more of the following sectors required: community mobilization/participation, conflict mitigation and resolution, civil society strengthening, youth engagement, etc.
• Previous work experience with international donors/NGOs.
• Previous work experience in research methodologies and project monitoring and evaluation.
• Fluency in Spoken and Written English required
• Proficiency in other languages spoken throughout northern Ghana desired.
• Must have existing work authorization for Ghana .
• Must have experience working in northern Ghana, and be willing to be based in the North and travel throughout the region.

Skills And Abilities

• T ake initiative and be able to manage a complex portfolio of activities with supervision.
• Ability to work in teams to develop ideas or grant projects.
• Good organization skills and ability to maintain and foster relationships with staff and implementing partners.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, patience and a willingness to spend time translating the needs of communities into strong development projects.
• Capacity to understand and analyze national, regional, and local political contexts and to design grants that relate to current political contexts.
• Ability to work under short deadlines and efficiently handle multiple tasks.
• Attention to detail and the ability to function well in a team