Creative Associates International Jobs in Abuja
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.
We are recruiting to fill the position of:
Job Title: Chief of Party
Requisition Number: 17-0101
Location: Abuja
Project Background
- The purpose of the AgCompete project is to strengthen
agriculture productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in
Nigeria.
- The project will be composed of three main components: design of
the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships
and funding to catalyze technological innovations; administration of the
Agriculture Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships
and provide grants; and technical assistance that directly supports,
coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients to achieve the Missions
food security objectives.
- The project will contribute to the Mission's overall Feed the
Future strategy, which looks to improve agriculture competitiveness of
smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
Position Summary
- The Chief of Party (COP) is the leader of the entire project
team, responsible for overall implementation, results, and management.
- He/she is the team's interlocutor with USAID and is responsible
for establishing and maintaining constructive relations with
counterparts across Nigeria.
- The COP is the final implementing team authority on management
issues including staff, logistics, financial accounting and security.
Expected Outcomes:
- Ensure the project is operational and meets its contractual objectives
- Ensure key project deliverables are timely and approved
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide overall management and leadership of technical, administrative, operational, and logistical direction of the project;
- Serve as primary liaison with USAID on management and technical work;
- Foster and maintain collaborative relationships with Nigerian
government officials, and senior-level national and county-level
government officials;
- Lead coordination with USAID, key stakeholders, and other implementing partners;
- Manage and supervise the work of project personnel and subcontractors.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- At least a Masters degree in Business, Economics, or other
relevant field (or, alternately, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
and 5 additional years of relevant experience);
- Minimum 12 years of experience implementing agricultural
development, public private partnership facilitation and implementation,
investment promotion within the agriculture sector, or SME development
in developing countries, of which 7 years was overseas in a senior
leadership capacity of a project that involved managing a team;
- Experience working collaboratively with host country governments
and the local private sector, and coordinating activities with those of
other donors;
- Experience in design and implementation of large scale projects
($25mln in value or more), including financial management experience,
such as budgeting; tracking, reporting and accounting; and procurement;
- Experience managing projects and/or an office with culturally diverse teams and working with counterparts from other cultures;
- Prior experience in Nigeria or West Africa is highly preferred; and
- Excellent oral and written English required.
Job Title: Regional Security Operations Manager
Requisition Number: 17-0066
Location: Abuja
Position Summary
- The Regional Security Operations Manager (RSOM) serves as Creative’s Security and Operations representative for West Africa.
- The RSOM proactively supports the HQ Security and Field
Operations Departments through interacting with Creative’s Project
Security Managers (PSMs) and Project Operations Managers (POMs) across
West Africa.
- He/she has the delegated responsibility for the day-to-day
management and coordination of field security and operational
activities, ensures compliance with corporate security and operations
policies and maintains close liaison with the Creative HQ Security and
Field Ops Departments.
- He/she will support Creative’s West Africa projects and help implement a security strategy for approaching new business.
- This position also contributes to the formulation and
implementation of planned strategies and initiatives to enhance
Creative’s security and operations programs, including quality and
support to all staff in the field.
Reporting & Supervision:
- The Security/Operations Manager will report to the Senior
Manager, Global Security Operations in HQ, as well as have daily
interaction and communication as required, with COP, DCOP and line
managers of Security and Operations Departments in the field.
Expected Outcomes:
- Support, train and mentor field program staff on all security related matters;
- Support, train and mentor field program staff on all Field Operations related issues;
- Support, train and mentor field program staff on all Operations
and logistics issues, interface with HQ Senior Manager Global
Operations;
- Frequent travel to project sites all over Nigeria, as required.
Primary Responsibilities
- Have and maintain a detailed knowledge of the national and
regional security situation, especially in strategic countries for
Creative projects in West Africa. This analysis should focus on
operating environments, changing political and security dynamics and
trends, and how this may affect project operations and implementation;
- Assess field offices to ensure appropriate security measures are
in effect and in accordance with the particular needs of the project
and its offices, and ensure proper provision of various security
services for all field offices;
- Assist the HQ Security Department with the implementation of the
Creative Sensitive Information (CSI) Program, which provides for the
protection of sensitive information;
- Support HQ travelers and local expats in the event of an emergency;
- Conduct security compliance reviews for field offices in West Africa;
- Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of security operations in meeting established project goals and objectives;
- Ensure all project Crisis Response, Security, Vetting and
Information Security Plans are current, maintained, applicable and being
implemented by the projects and subcontractors (when applicable);
- Assist with the development and testing of all projects Crisis Response Plans;
- Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for all
Creative projects, risk management companies and other security-related
contacts in West Africa;
- Remain current on all national and regional security regulations
and subsequent implications for Creative projects and future
programming;
- Review allegations of possible fraud and misconduct, maintain
close liaison and cooperation with Creative HQ in subsequent
investigations, and review and update project allegations trackers
accordingly;
- Ensure, through the PSMs, that HQ travelers to and new employees
in West Africa are provided briefings on security environments, that
needed forms are completed by the traveler/employee and filed with the
PSMs prior to arrival/travel, and that each receives briefings regarding
Creative’s requirements in the Security chapter in the HQ and Field
Operations Manuals;
- Support PSMs to ensure the protection of employees, assets, partners, facilities and Creative Sensitive Information (CSI);
- Ensure security requirements are being met by all PSMs,
including necessary assessments, plans, and communications with the HQ
Security Department;
- Contribute to the overall operation and performance of the PSMs, while advancing their goals and objectives;
- Ensure proper liaison and sharing of information between projects and PSMs;
- Advise HQ Security on the distribution of work among PSMs, including an analysis of skill levels, issues, solutions, etc.
Security Contract Responsibilities:
- Develop a 'strategic partnership with the Risk Management
Companies (RMC) country teams throughout West Africa in order to enable
to projects to succeed, while responding coherently to changes in the
security and operational environment;
- Provide technical oversight of RMC subcontracts on Creative West Africa projects to include:
- Ensuring quality control on and compliance with contractual deliverables, including billing accuracy;
- Ensuring Creative policies and procedures are being followed and implemented;
- Ensuring standards of professional performance and conduct
are being met and the level of effort as contractually required by
Creative is being fulfilled;
- Ensuring RMCs are fulfilling their requirements to train
local national security staff and are adequately overseeing the quality
implementation of their contract;
- Reporting on perceived or observed poor practices of subcontractors and providing recommendations for remediation;
- Establishing and maintaining a good collaborative working
relationship with the relevant in country representatives and appointed
security/risk managers on all security matters;
- Ensuring consistent basic security postures by local
national security guards and RMCs are adopted across the different
Creative projects in country;
- Adjudicating inter-project/RMC security issues.
- Conduct regular coordination meetings with project security
providers, Country Security Representatives and Risk Managers, in all
project locations to ensure the highest level of performance is
guaranteed;
- Negotiate and facilitate renewal of local national security
contracts in support of HQ and on behalf of Creative projects, keeping
Creative HQ informed of any changes to the existing structures and
potential loopholes;
- Further develop and maintain a strong working relationship with
local national security providers, their senior management and
personalities of importance to ensure successful contract
implementation;
- Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the original RMC and
security provider contracts, including any follow on amendments and
modifications.
Regional Operations Responsibilities:
- Ensure adherence to standard field operations policies, procedures and systems across all Creative projects in West Africa;
- Assist and support project start-ups, including planning and physical logistical start-up;
- Assist and support project close-outs, including planning and physical logistical close-out;
- Assist with HQ and project staff travel to and from West Africa in relation to:
- New project reconnaissance;
- HQ staff business development trips including assisting with
logistical arrangements such as security arrangements, accommodation,
transportation and other required logistics;
- Research and investigate new or improved security and operations
business and management practices for application to Creative programs
and operations in West Africa, and share with PSMs, POMs and the HQ
Security and Field Operations Departments;
- Identify resources (staff, funding, equipment) required to better support PSMs, POMs and projects.
Management Support and Coordination Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain strong communication with CoPs, the Senior
Manager of Global Security Operations, the Director of Security and the
Director of Field Administration on how to improve and adapt in country
with reference to project security and operational postures and
protocols, which would allow projects to remain safe and operationally
effective in an ever changing security environment;
- Oversee and support all security and operations functions of
Creative’s projects in West Africa, inclusive of training, mentoring and
advising all field office PSMs and POMs;
- Liaise closely and advise CoPs, DCoPs, PSMs, RMCs and POMs on
all in-country security and operations matters in a proactive manner by
identifying gaps and following up to address those gaps;
- Hold monthly meetings with CoPs and DCoPs in countries to ensure adequate coordination on:
- Business development priorities;
- In country logistics/operations planning;
- Adherence to standard field operations policies/procedures/systems;
- Training on operations and security for staff;
- Ensure that security protocols, upgrades and recommendations are implemented in all project locations;
- Where possible, undertake regular travel to project
locations in Nigeria regions and states to assess and obtain relevant
first-hand information of project activities and implementation.
- Develop and maintain relevant sources of information
in-country and ensure a good exchange of information and briefings with
the CoPs, DCoPs, PSMs, POMs, RMCs and HQ visitors to West African
countries.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- At least 5 years of security management experience in the
context of international development, with a security company that had a
relationship with firms similar to Creative;
- At least 5 years’ management experience (i.e. role of PSM or similar);
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with a service-oriented approach;
- Ability to work independently and organize time effectively;
- Ability to work in a team in both a leadership and member capacity;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Excellent organizational skills, detail-orientated and flexible work style;
- Prior experience with or knowledge of USAID and its internal operational structures and processes;
- Successful experience and willingness to properly handle confidential and/or sensitive information;
- Expertise with Microsoft Office software;
- Appreciation of and ability to work effectively in diverse work environments;
- Familiarity with Security, HR, financial, logistical, procurement and administrative systems;
- Experience writing and implementing security policies, procedures and protocols.
Desired Skills & Qualifications:
- Knowledge of USG business practices, such as AIDARs, DFARs, etc.;
- Field-based security and crisis management experience;
- Previous work experience in hostile, post-conflict environments;
- Familiarity with international education, stability sector and/or democracy and governance, Creative’s core business lines.
Job Title: Regional Procurement and Grants Manager
Requisition Number: 17-0051
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Position Summary
- The Regional Procurement and Grants Manager is responsible for
overseeing the procurement and grant portfolios for all of
Creative/Africa, currently comprised of projects in Nigeria, Ghana,
Cameroon, Zambia, Tanzania.
- The Regional Procurement and Grant Manager shall provide support
for procurement-intensive and deadline-oriented activities and will
provide support to procurement and grant staff.
- The Regional Procurement and Grant Manager must have an in-depth
knowledge of international and U.S. Government procurement and grant
regulations and ensure that procurements and grants are compliant with
all local laws.
- The selected candidate must be equipped to ensure strict
compliance for both U.S. State Department/USAID and implementing partner
procurement/grant rules and regulations.
- The Regional Procurement and Grants Manager will be responsible
for reviewing overall procurement and grant processes, training, forms
and templates and compliance to Creative’s processes and policies,
providing regular training and mentoring to procurement and grant
staff.
- This position will be based in Abuja, Nigeria. Travel within Africa is expected.
Reporting & Supervision:
- The Regional Procurement and Grants Manager will report to the
Director of Grants/Procurement Management and Administration in
Washington D.C. He/She will support procurement officers based
throughout Africa.
Primary Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Review the implementation of procurement and grant processes and
logistics operations for all Africa based projects, strictly following
all USG and established Creative rules and regulations, including all
stipulations established by local laws. Rules and regulations include:
- ADS (Automated Directive System)
- FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations)
- CFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations)
- AAPD (Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directive)
- Established Creative Procurement/Grant Policies
- Local Law
- Review and recommend changes to procurement/grant policies and procedures as required.
- enforce and maintain policies for procurement/grant processes.
- Spearhead training initiatives for all project staff to increase
awareness for procurement/grant issues such as procurement/grant
planning, bidder/application evaluations, fraud prevention and quality
control.
- review and verify the procurement of materials according to the
context and/or needs of the beneficiary, community and/or Project.
- Assist Develop and analyze technical specifications of
materials, with consideration for investment, loss, and associated
value; review and adjust budgets, as needed.
- Update forms and templates,
- Work with local, national, and international vendors of goods
and services to ensure quality, maintain professional distance required
to ensure high ethical standards.
- Process procurements/grants according to respective rules and regulations.
- Other duties, as assigned.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in a relevant field. A Master's Degree (or its equivalent) is preferred.
- A minimum of five years' work experience is required. or a Bachelor’s degree with 7 years’ relevant experience.
- Demonstrated supervisory and management experience
- Demonstrated organizational capacity to handle a portfolio of high-priority procurements and grants.
- Excellent timekeeping skills and ability to independently manage deadline-oriented tasks
Job Title: Regional HR Operations Manager
Requisition Number: 17-0087
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Position Summary
- Based in Abuja, Nigeria, the Regional HR Operations Manager
will drive consistency and effectiveness in HR Operations policies and
practices to ensure effective, strategic and efficient delivery of
local HR Operations within Nigeria and increasingly activities in the
West & Central Africa Region.
- Working directly with local HR Managers and project staff, the
Regional HR Manager will provide strategic guidance and support in the
areas of employee relations issues, local compensation planning,
performance management, key HR disciplinary processes, employee
benefits, recruitment and proposal capture.
- The Regional HR manager will also manage the Nigeria and
progressively regional talent strategy with respect to compensation,
hiring, retention, employee development.
- Reporting directly to the Director, Global HR Operations this
role will work to support the Practice Area Directors and will
collaborate and interact regularly with the COPs and HQ program teams
they support.
Regional Human Resources Operations & Capacity Building:
- Identify, train and advise a capable Human Resources
Professional in each field office to serve as the leader for Human
Resources in the field office;
- Provide operational HR support to field HR teams and project
leadership while supporting the HR planning process for effective HR
programing in the region;
- Partner with program and functional leaders within the
region to understand the areas of greatest HR needs in the field
offices, and develop a plan and resources to support these needs;
- Provide ongoing training and support to field office leaders and staff on HR management;
- Provide project start-up and close-out support;
- Lead local regional performance management and succession
planning annual review process. Provide strategic advice on performance
management and career development to key program stakeholders to
strengthen the links between individual performance and delivery of
strategic priorities;
- Ensure quality new hire orientations and on-boarding practices
across the region that help integrate new hires successfully into
Creative; develop materials that can be adapted for use in local hire
orientations;
- Analyze regional trends and metrics in partnership with the Global HR Division to develop solutions, programs and policies;
- In consultation with Global HR Director/Security, manage and
resolve complex employee relations issues. Conduct effective, thorough
and objective investigations as necessary;
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of country legal requirements
related to management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring
regulatory compliance. Partner with HQ Global HR and the legal
department as needed/required;
- Oversee UltiPro data/employment administration processes to ensure data integrity;
- Work closely with regional HR managers, program/functional
leaders and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and
increase productivity and retention;
- Mentors and coaches local HR staff;
- Other duties as assigned
Regional Human Resources Compliance:
- Provide coaching and support for Regional HR Managers and their
staffs to build the required culture, values and ethical compliance.
- Identify areas of need and drive the plan for full regional compliance;
- Ensure a plan exists in each field office to achieve full
compliance with local employment laws; support and monitor plans as
necessary;
- Ensure field office HR systems, including manuals, policies and
procedures, are developed, continuously monitored and updated and are
compliant with local laws, HQ standards and HR best practices;
- Conduct field office audits to ensure HR compliance with Creative standards and procedures;
Training & Development:
- Partner with HQ program and functional teams to plan
training/development for employees and managers in support of program
business objectives, corporate programs and career planning.
Regional HR Talent Management & Recruitment:
- Work in partnership with project HR staff and managers and US
hiring managers to attract key talent and acquire a highly talented and
diverse workforce;
- Ensure transparent and legally compliant full-cycle recruitment
process is in place for each project and is consistent with Creative
hiring guidelines.
- Provide regional surge recruitment as necessary.
Regional HR Business Development - Capture:
- Coordinate the preparation of HR programs and tools
(compensation and benefits programs, Employee Handbooks, SOPs, manuals,
management guidelines, and other HR infrastructure) to support
proposals and new projects.
- Recruit local staff in support of new business development efforts.
Minimum Required Education
- Bachelor's Degree and 6 years' related HR experience; MA Degree
or a Law Degree with emphasis in Labor Law and 5 years related HR
experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Nigeria and multi-country practice, particularly in West Africa, will
be considered a plus.
- Required knowledge, skills & abilities: required to perform the essential duties of this job.
- Working knowledge of and experience in international, regional and national HR.
- Working knowledge of and experience in local labor, particularly in Nigeria, and employment laws and legal resources.
- High degree of professionalism and discretion; culturally astute.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisor, project staff, and clients.
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English
and French including the ability to communicate effectively in a
multi-cultural environment and diplomatically manage collegial
relationships.
- Must be detail oriented and highly organized. Able to support
and respond to the needs of the project HR teams as quickly as possible
to enable consistent project service delivery
- Must work well under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Ability to work independently as well as perform in matrix organization.
- Must possess strong computer skills: ability to work with Microsoft Office product suite and HR systems (UltiPro a plus).
- Strong writing and presentation skills with ability to communicate well within and across diverse groups and perspectives.
- Must have the ability and willingness to travel (up to 30%).
Note
- Local and regional candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
- Position contingent upon donor funding.
- Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
- Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilitie
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply