Vacancy: Program Development Officer (USAID/OTI Littorals Regional Initiative)

Company Profile

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.  

Job Description

• Program Development Officer USAID/OTI Littorals Regional Initiative)


• Reports to Chief of Party


• Location    Accra, Ghana

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Development Officer (PDO) will be responsible for the development, implementation and close-out of a portfolio of activities. The PDO will work with 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 in order to further the objectives of the LRI program. The PDO will be expected to liaise with various levels of stakeholders, including 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 be charged with oversight of project activities to ensure that all tasks are completed within timeframe and budget parameters defined during project design. The PDO will be expected to report daily to and receive guidance from Senior Management. 

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

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

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible general oversight of a portfolio of projects. The geography of targeted communities as well as type of programming is expected to change frequently over the course of the program. 


• In concert with senior management, advice on programmatic design of new projects, including identification of potential local partners and beneficiaries, monitor implementation to ensure timely completion and adherence to budget and administrative and programmatic closeout throughout the portfolio of activities. 


• Take a leadership role in the program’s learning process by feeding information in a timely manner on political and security developments in the PDO’s target area. 


• Develop activity-level Theory of Change (TOC), thinking strategy about the contribution of each activity to the overall program objective. 


• Draft project ideas with estimated budgets and present them in internal Activity Review meetings for yellow-light consideration. 


• Develop and maintain positive working relations with grantees, local partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries in target communities. and ensure relevant stakeholders are included. 


• Provide assistance to potential local partners and grantees in the design of activities to include brief description of activities to be implemented, objectives, timelines for implementation, expected results and plan for how activity will be monitored and evaluated (objectives, expected results, indicators, timeline, etc.) with the support of M&E and Grants teams. 


• Lead the design and development of grant proposals, works with the grant team to write grant agreements, manage grant implementation, ensure Creative and OTI policies, procedures, and practices are followed. 


• Prepare program and budget information with support from Procurement staff during grant development.


• Track the implementation of each grant activity in consultation with the COP and to ensure alignment with strategic program direction. Propose and implement corrective actions and solutions to ensure proposed project outcomes are achieved. Conduct political analysis, impact assessment, and participate in strategy development to advance the program goals. 


• Monitor activity implementation through desk review of reports, regular site visits when possible, and triangulation with external sources of data on activity.   


• 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). 


• 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. 


• Enter grant data, develop reports and evaluation reports into the Database to conform to grant information requirements. 


• Supervise timely and accurate reporting and deliverables. 


• Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party. 

Required Skills or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree is required (Master’s preferred), with studies in social sciences or related fields.


• At least 2 years of professional experience in the design, implementation, and management of community development projects, community participation, preferably in urban communities with nonprofit organizations in Ghana. Four years of overall professional experience required.


• 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.


• Advanced ability to speak, read, and write in English.


• Proficiency in other languages spoken throughout Ghana desired.


• Must have existing work authorization for Ghana.

Skills and Abilities:

• Take 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.