Director-Stabilization and Development

Creative Associates International Incorporated 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 23 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.

The Communities in Transition (CIT) division of Creative Associates
International, Inc., works with nations, local communities and vulnerable or special populations worldwide to promote participatory, peaceful and democratic approaches to change. Creative Associate’s projects address the continuum of political change, from post-conflict programming that attends to the immediate needs of vulnerable populations to the promotion of citizen participation in public decision-making. Creative Associate’s programs promote dialogue, reconciliation and participation to foster stability and sustainable development.           

Position Summary         

The position requires a senior manager with experience
implementing stabilization or political transitions programs in pre, during and post-conflict situations, and leading proposal efforts, particularly for Department of Defense and Department of State. The Director – Stabilization and Development Practice Area will lead and shape a team of experienced professionals in building a distinct practice area capable of delivering expert, imaginative and responsive solutions to stabilization programming. This will included traditional development-related activities as well as specialized services in crisis, conflict, post-conflict and stabilization settings. This is a senior management position with substantial independence and managerial latitude. It encompasses all aspects of practice management: technical leadership, representation, business development and capture management, knowledge development, and project portfolio and staff oversight.                  

Reporting and Supervision          

The Director – Stabilization and Development Practice Area reports to the Vice President and Senior Director - Communities-in-Transition Division. The Director will supervise Business Development, Project Directors and Project staff in the CIT Stabilization and Development portfolio.         

Primary Responsibilities               

1. As Technical Leader:

Analyzes, catalogues, and organizes the firm’s

experience implementing Department of Defense and Department of State programming in pre-conflict, conflict and post-conflict environments.
• Distills current and past activities into best
  practices, coherent approaches to DoD/DoS stabilization programming
  particularly in conflict prone environments.
• Provides leadership and technical guidance to
  senior staff, project directors, Chiefs of Party in the field.

2. As Business Developer and Capture Manager for the
Practice Area:

• Analyzes and organizes the “stabilization”
  marketplace, identifies new business targets and leads capture
  preparation–teaming, strategic recruitment, etc.
• 
  Analyzes the competitive field, develops fitting
  alliances and strategic partnerships.
• 
  Drive the business development process–leads
  proposal development, strategy development, sub-contractor negotiations.
• 
  Creates sophisticated market strategies to
  position the firm as a leading contender for specific market opportunities.

3. As Director of a Vibrant Portfolio:

• Ensures overall technical and financial
  performance of projects in portfolio.
• Works with DC-based Project Directors and COPs
  to ensure projects achieve contract/agreement deliverables.
• Troubleshoots technical, contractual and
  personnel issues when they arise; serves as a conduit for negotiation with
  corporate offices and senior management. Ensures compliance to the firm’s
  policies and procedures.
• Serves as Project Director on selected projects
  or as interim project director as needed.
• Manages the firm’s senior-level relationship
  with the clients; leads negotiations with clients in representation of the
  firm.
• Manages the firm’s senior-level relationship
  with sub-contractors and services providers; leads negotiations (in
  collaboration with the firm’s Office of Contracts)
• Oversees the preparation of quarterly and annual
  reports to the client.
• Assists in recruiting of key personnel and
  consultants.
• Provides technical and programmatic coherence to
  project design and execution.

4. As a Senior member of the CIT Division:

• Participates in divisional management, planning
  and strategic decision-making.
• 
  Contributes to the creation of a technically
  rigorous and intellectually nurturing environment.
• 
  Builds networks, publishes and engages the field
  to enhance the public image and competitiveness of the division.
• 
  Guides, mentors, and advises CIT program staff
  members          

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public administration,
  international development, or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in
  management of stabilization programming in support of the DoD and DoS;
  experience in conflict environments.
• Significant prior experience implementing
  Department of State and Department of Defense funded programming.
• Excellent written communication skills
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills.
• Strong representational skills.
• Strong experience in marketing, capture
  management and DoS proposal development.
• Excellent networking and negotiation skills.
• Hands on management experience highly desirable.      

Desired Skills &Qualifications   

Prior experience in the field, preferably as

Chief of Party.
• Proficiency in second language – Spanish, French
  or Arabic         

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please complete and submit our
simple on-line form, where you can upload your résumé and other documents.  Only if you are unable to submit online, may
you send your résumé and cover letter by e-mail to moc.iiac@tnemtiurceR with”Director – Stabilization and Development Practice Area CODE:HDQ48157” on the subject line. Please note only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls please. Creative is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE/AA).