Regional Director

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 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:

Creative Associates seeks a Regional Director for an upcoming USAID-funded economic growth program in Afghanistan focusing on integration of internally displaced peoples (IDPs), returnees, potentially former militia fighters, women and youth into the economy in rural and peri-urban areas of Afghanistan. The overall goal of the program is to increase jobs for targeted populations in rural and peri-urban areas.

Position Summary:

The Regional Director supports the Technical Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), manages a team of regional coordinators, and carries out any other tasks assigned by the Technical DCOP to ensure proper management of the Contract.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Regional Director works under the leadership of the Technical DCOP and supports the Technical DCOP in appropriate technical and coordination aspects of program.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Regional Director will oversee the Contract's regional development and implementation through direct supervision of its regional coordinators, as directed by the Technical DCOP.

• Manages the team of regional coordinators and supports the Contract's implementation of its core technical areas, in cooperation with the Technical DCOP, other project staff, USAID, and the Government of Afghanistan;
• Supports the Chief of Party (COP), DCOP, and technical teams in identifying, reaching out to, and managing cooperation with stakeholders in the private sector, civil society, and national and local government, in the target regions in compliance with Creative and USG policies and procedures;
• Provides support to the Technical DCOP in programmatic, strategic development and quality control duties; and liaise with USAID and government stakeholders to respond to their informational, data and monitoring requirements;
• Provides technical contributions to regional development and implementation results;
• Develops and delivers reports and written documentation related to technical activities to be reported to USAID, including weekly, quarterly and annual reports, and all relevant project deliverables;
• Responds to requests from donor and supervisors as needed.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• At least a Masters' degree in business, economics, international development, agriculture, trade, or other relevant field (or, alternately, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and five additional years of relevant experience);
• Five to seven (5-7) years implementing complex economic growth assistance projects in developing countries; of which three (3) years focused on promoting economic growth in rural or peri-urban areas in one or more of the Contract's target areas including Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Jalalabad, and Kandahar, and at least one year of working experience fragile or post-conflict states;
• At least four (4) years of experience in the private sector and/or value chain development, agricultural or non-agriculture value chains, private sector development, MSMEs strengthening, trade facilitation, export promotion, agriculture, or related field;
• Previous experience in the private sector, particularly agriculture, agribusiness, export, trade, marketing, or other related sectors highly preferred;
• Experience effectively integrating gender and youth programming into development programs;
• Experience working collaboratively with host country governments and the local private sector, and coordinating activities with those of other donors;
• Experience managing culturally diverse teams and working with counterparts from other cultures;
• Excellent oral and written English language communication skills; local Afghan language fluency highly desired; and
• Ability to travel internationally or domestically for up to 20-25% of the time.

Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position contingent upon donor funding.