Component 4 Lead: Teacher Policy, Licensing, Appraisal and Career Pathways Expert

5 min read

Location: Belize or Caribbean region
Level of effort: Approximately 100 days over one year
Travel: If based outside Belize, approximately 3–4 trips to Belize
Reporting: Reports to the Creative Project Manager and coordinates closely with the Project Team Leader and RTI’s technical leads for Components 1, 2 and 3

Role summary

The Component 4 Lead will provide overall technical leadership for the reform of teacher and school-leader licensing, appraisal, career pathways, performance incentives and secondary-level dual-subject certification in Belize.

The Lead will direct the design and implementation of Component 4, serve as the principal author and integrator of the Draft Licensing and Career Reform Policy and Regulatory Package due in Week 56, and ensure that the proposed reforms are aligned with Belize’s existing policies, tools and reform initiatives, including the Education Act 2026 or applicable legal framework, professional standards, existing appraisal and licensing arrangements, and the Equipping Secondary Educators Program.

The Lead will work collaboratively with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST), MCA-Belize, RTI, education-sector institutions and representative stakeholder groups to build agreement progressively around the proposed reforms. The Lead will organize the work so that stakeholders jointly review the evidence, assess policy options, resolve implementation issues and confirm the proposed direction before the final package is submitted.

The Lead may be supported by short-term specialists in legal and regulatory drafting, teacher workforce analysis, dual-subject certification, data analysis or other technical areas. However, the Component 4 Lead will remain accountable for the overall technical architecture, coherence, quality and timely completion of the component.

The Lead will also provide high-level advisory support to Component 1 by helping plan and facilitate an initial co-design workshop in Belize and reviewing the draft National Education Quality Assurance Framework to ensure alignment with professional standards, teacher and school-leader performance, supervision, appraisal, professional development and career progression.

Key responsibilities

Component leadership and coordination

Lead the Component 4 methodology, detailed work plan, sequencing, technical coordination and delivery schedule.
Participate in the initial in-person project work-planning meeting in Belize.
Participate in biweekly virtual technical meetings with the Project Team Leader and technical leads for Components 1, 2 and 3.
Participate in monthly coordination meetings with RTI’s program management team and other partners.
Coordinate and quality-assure the inputs of supporting Component 4 specialists.
Provide Component 4 inputs, as requested and within the agreed scope, to the inception report, quarterly reports and final report.

Review and diagnostic analysis

Lead a structured review of existing Belizean policies, regulations, standards, tools and practices related to teacher and school-leader licensing; license renewal and periodic professional review; appraisal; recruitment, promotion and professional progression; continuous professional development; teacher education and certification; performance incentives; and teacher subject specialization and deployment.
Assess what existing policies and tools should be retained, updated, formally approved, better aligned or replaced.
Map the institutional roles of MoECST units, Managing Authorities, schools, teacher education institutions and other bodies involved in educator regulation and workforce management.
Identify gaps between formal policy and actual implementation.

Stakeholder engagement and consensus building

Lead consultations and co-design processes with MoECST, MCA-Belize, the Equipping Secondary Educators Program, teacher organizations, Managing Authorities, school leaders, teachers, education officers, teacher education institutions and other relevant actors.
Facilitate joint interpretation of findings so stakeholders confirm the problem definition and reform priorities before detailed drafting begins.
Maintain a decision and consensus record documenting evidence reviewed, options considered, decisions reached, unresolved issues and responsible decision makers.

Career pathways

Lead the design of structured professional-progression pathways for teachers, school leaders and education officers.
Define career stages, competency requirements, performance expectations and evidence required for advancement.
Develop vertical and horizontal advancement routes, including opportunities for accomplished teachers to progress as mentors, specialist teachers or instructional leaders without leaving classroom practice.
Align career progression with professional standards, qualifications, appraisal, continuous professional development and demonstrated competence.
Develop feasible transitional arrangements for existing personnel.

Licensing and professional review

Review current licensing regulations and administrative practices.
Develop or revise criteria and procedures for initial, provisional and full licensing; teacher and school-leader license categories; license renewal; periodic professional review; continuous professional-development requirements; re-entry; non-renewal, suspension or other status changes; appeals and review; and grandfathering and transition.
Ensure proposed licensing reforms align with the Education Act 2026 or other applicable legal framework and with professional standards established under Component 1.
Work with legal expertise to identify which reforms require legislation, regulation, ministerial policy, administrative procedure or institutional agreement.

Teacher and school-leader appraisal

Lead the review and revision of existing teacher and school-leader appraisal tools and procedures.
Develop a standards-aligned appraisal framework using multiple sources of evidence.
Define the appraisal cycle, evaluator responsibilities, evidence requirements, moderation, feedback, recordkeeping and review or appeals processes.
Establish clear links between appraisal findings and targeted professional development; coaching or mentoring; performance-improvement support; licensing renewal; career progression; and professional recognition.
Ensure that appraisal is practical, fair, transparent and developmental rather than primarily punitive.

Performance incentives

Develop feasible financial and nonfinancial performance-incentive options for teachers and school leaders.
Assess options for affordability, equity, transparency, sustainability, administrative feasibility and unintended consequences.
Consider professional recognition, specialist and mentoring roles, funded professional-development opportunities, career-stage advancement, hard-to-staff subject or geographic incentives, and school- or team-based recognition.
Ensure incentives support collaboration, school improvement and student achievement.

Dual-subject certification

Lead the development of policy, standards and procedures for secondary-level dual-subject certification.
Oversee analysis of teacher specialization, deployment, shortages and out-of-field teaching.
Define priority subject combinations; required subject-content and pedagogical knowledge; initial and additional certification pathways; bridging and upgrading programs; assessment of competence; recognition of prior learning; roles of teacher education institutions; and transitional arrangements for practicing teachers.
Ensure the model balances professional quality with the staffing realities of small, rural and hard-to-staff schools.

Required qualifications

Advanced degree in education policy, teacher development, education leadership, human-resource management, public administration or a closely related field.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in teacher policy, educator professionalization, licensing, appraisal, career pathways, professional standards or education workforce reform; 15 or more years preferred.
Demonstrated experience leading national or system-level education policy reform.
Direct experience in at least three of the following: teacher or school-leader licensing; professional standards; teacher or school-leader appraisal; career-pathway development; continuous professional development; teacher certification; public-sector performance management; or education workforce reform.
Strong understanding of how professional standards, appraisal, licensing, professional development and career advancement function as an integrated system.
Demonstrated ability to translate policy recommendations into practical procedures, implementation plans and regulatory or administrative provisions.
Experience facilitating high-level policy dialogue and consensus-building processes involving ministries, professional associations, education institutions and other stakeholders.
Experience managing and integrating the inputs of multidisciplinary technical specialists.
Excellent analytical, facilitation and English-language writing skills.
Experience working with ministries of education, teacher organizations, school leaders and teacher education institutions.
Experience in the Caribbean, Commonwealth or another small-state education system strongly preferred.
Knowledge of Belize’s education system and established relationships with Belizean education stakeholders would be a significant advantage.
Availability for sustained part-time engagement across the assignment, including regular virtual coordination and travel to Belize.

Critical Minerals & Supply Chain Security Consultant

2 min read

Creative seeks candidates for a Critical Minerals Consultant to support USG proposal efforts. The successful candidate will provide subject matter expertise on global critical mineral supply chains, geopolitical resource competition, and economic statecraft. This role involves analyzing market data, identifying vulnerabilities in the clean energy transition ecosystem, and drafting actionable policy frameworks to secure bilateral and multilateral mineral supply chains. Candidates may be based in the US or overseas.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Analysis & Policy Support

Assess Vulnerabilities: Map global critical mineral value chains—from extraction to refining and magnet fabrication—identifying single points of failure, foreign monopoly risks, and choke points.
Draft Deliverables: Produce high-quality policy briefs, landscape scans, information memos, and diplomatic talking points for senior DOS leadership and interagency stakeholders.
Monitor Geopolitics: Track competitor industrial policies, foreign direct investments (FDI) in mining sectors, and international export controls affecting clean energy supply chains.

Interagency & Diplomatic Engagement

Support Initiatives: Provide analytical backing for multilateral frameworks, such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and the Energy Resource Governance Initiative (ERGI).
Coordinate Stakeholders: Liaise across federal agencies, including the Departments of Energy (DOE), Defense (DOD), Commerce, and international partner nations to harmonize supply chain strategies.
Review Technical Data: Translate complex geological, economic, and industrial data into clear, non-technical strategic recommendations for diplomatic personnel.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Public Policy, Mining/Geological Engineering, Materials Science, Economics, or a related field. A Master’s or PhD is highly desirable.
Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of professional experience in energy consulting, mining market analysis, industrial policy, or federal foreign affairs advisory.
Familiarity with foreign assistance programming and international project finance (e.g., DFC, EXIM bank models).
Established networks within the mining, refining, or clean energy manufacturing industries.
Professional proficiency in a foreign language relevant to critical mineral production regions strongly preferred.

TVET Governance and Quality Assurance Specialist

1 min read

Location: Belize (Anticipated MCC-Funded Opportunity)

Background:

Creative Associates International brings more than four decades of global experience designing and implementing market-responsive TVET and workforce development programs. Our demand-driven, competency-based approach strengthens the alignment between labor market needs and the institutions that prepare people for employment. We work with governments, national agencies, private-sector partners, universities, TVET institutions, civil society, and youth to expand pathways from education to employment through career guidance, technical and soft skills training, employer engagement, and employment services. Creative also builds the capacity of government counterparts and national institutions to design, manage, and sustain effective TVET and workforce development systems.

Position Summary

The TVET Governance and Quality Assurance Specialist shall support the development of regulatory and operational frameworks required for effective oversight of TVET providers and programmes.

Minimum Qualifications

Advanced degree in education policy, TVET, quality assurance, educational leadership, or a related discipline.
At least seven (7) years of experience in the development or implementation of TVET quality assurance systems, accreditation frameworks, national vocational qualifications frameworks, or regulatory systems for training providers.
Experience designing or implementing accreditation and certification systems for training providers.
Knowledge of competency-based education and training frameworks and alignment with national or regional qualification systems.
Experience supporting institutional reforms within education or skills development systems.

Position Contingency

This position is contingent upon project award and client approval.

Team Leader/TVET Systems and Institutional Reform Specialist

2 min read

Location: Belize (Anticipated MCC-Funded Opportunity)

Background:

Position Summary

The Team Leader shall provide overall leadership and technical oversight for the consultancy. The Team Leader will be responsible for coordinating the work of the technical team, ensuring the quality and coherence of deliverables, and serving as the primary point of contact with MCA-Belize and national counterparts.

Minimum Qualifications

· Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in education, technical and vocational education and training, public policy, economics, labour market studies, or a related field.

· At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in education or workforce development reform, including substantial experience in the design or implementation of national or subnational TVET systems or skills development initiatives.

· Demonstrated experience supporting institutional reforms related to TVET governance, accreditation, or workforce development policies is required.

· Strong understanding of TVET policy frameworks, institutional governance models, and labour market alignment mechanisms.

· Proven experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and managing complex reform initiatives.

· Experience working with Ministries of Education, labour agencies, or skills development authorities in developing or middle-income countries is required.

Position Contingency

This position is contingent upon project award and client approval.

Housing, Land, and Property Expert

2 min read

Damascus, Syria

Position Purpose

The HLP Expert will provide technical oversight to ensure that all land registry digitization activities are implemented in accordance with international Housing, Land and Property (HLP) principles, while preserving the integrity, security, neutrality, and accessibility of land records. The Expert will ensure that project activities strengthen records preservation without influencing or adjudicating ownership rights or property disputes.

Summary Scope of Work (SoW)

Key Responsibilities

1. HLP Technical Advisory

Advise the project team on the integration of international HLP principles throughout implementation.
Ensure that digitization activities remain limited to preservation, indexing, and secure archiving of records.
Review technical procedures to ensure neutrality and compliance with HLP good practice.

2. Records Protection and Integrity

Develop procedures for secure handling, transport, storage, and tracking of physical land records.
Review chain-of-custody procedures for registry documents.
Advise on document preservation standards to minimize loss or damage during digitization.

3. Quality Assurance

Review digitization workflows, metadata standards, indexing protocols, and document classification.
Participate in periodic quality assurance reviews to ensure completeness and integrity of digitized records.
Recommend corrective measures where inconsistencies or risks are identified.

4. Risk Management

Identify HLP-related operational risks affecting land records.
Advise on measures to reduce risks of document manipulation, unauthorized alteration, loss, or misuse.
Contribute to the project’s risk assessment and mitigation planning.

5. Capacity Building

Develop and deliver training modules on:
- HLP principles
- Protection of land registry records
- Ethical handling of sensitive property documentation
- Record integrity and confidentiality
Provide mentoring to Ministry staff during implementation.

6. Data Protection and Safeguards

Advise on access controls for sensitive land registry information.
Ensure that confidentiality and data protection measures are incorporated into operational procedures.
Coordinate with the Cybersecurity Specialist regarding protection of digitized records.

7. Monitoring and Reporting

Conduct periodic field visits to digitization centers.
Prepare technical monitoring reports with recommendations.
Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for secure records management.

8. Handover and Sustainability

Support preparation of HLP-related operational manuals and SOPs.
Advise the partner on institutional arrangements for long-term protection of digitized records.
Contribute to the final handover and sustainability plan.

Required Qualifications

Advanced degree in Law, Land Administration, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field.
Minimum 3–5 years of experience in Housing, Land and Property (HLP), land administration, cadastral systems, or property rights programming.
Experience working on digitization of land records or land administration reform is highly desirable.
Familiarity with international HLP frameworks (e.g., Pinheiro Principles, VGGT, and relevant humanitarian/development guidance).
Experience working with government institutions and donor-funded projects in similar region/context.
Strong knowledge of records management, conflict-sensitive programming, and data protection principles.
Excellent analytical, report writing, and training skills.

Data Center / IT Infrastructure Expert

3 min read

Damascus, Syria (with possible coordination visits as required)

Position Purpose: The Data Center / IT Infrastructure Expert will serve as the Technical Advisor to the project team and Creative’s implementing partners on all ICT, data center, and systems architecture components.

Position Type: Consultant / Technical Advisor

Duration: Five Months

Reporting Lines: The Data Center / IT Infrastructure Expert will report to the Program Lead and work in close coordination with:

Project Technical Team
Implementing Partners
ICT vendors and contractors

Key Responsibilities / Scope of Work

Act as the main technical liaison between the project team and implementing partners on all ICT and data center matters;
Facilitate technical coordination meetings and workshops with implementing partners;
Support the implementing partner in defining technical and functional requirements for; Centralized Data Center; Digital Data Transformation Centers (DDTCs); and Network and connectivity architecture;

Provide technical advisory support for the design and architecture of the Centralized Data Center;
Review and validate technical designs and specifications developed by vendors and contractors;
Serve as the internal ICT subject matter expert for the program team;
Review technical outputs from ICT vendors and service providers;
Ensure alignment of vendor outputs with project technical requirements;
Review proposed security frameworks including: Access control systems; Data encryption protocols; and Secure data transmission between centers;
Advise on system resilience against cyber threats;
Lead the finalization of the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) for the Centralized Data Center, Digital Data Transformation Centers (DDTCs), and all associated ICT infrastructure and equipment;
Develop and finalize the technical specifications for all ICT hardware, software, networking, storage, backup, security, power, and data center infrastructure to support procurement activities;
Develop the technical evaluation and selection criteria for ICT and data center procurements, ensuring compliance with project objectives and procurement standards;
Prepare technical evaluation tools, including scoring matrices and evaluation sheets, for the assessment of bids and proposals;
Serve as a technical member of procurement evaluation committees, participating in the technical review, evaluation, clarification, and recommendation of ICT and data center vendors and contractors;
Provide technical support during bid clarification meetings, contract negotiations, and vendor selection processes, as required; and
Review and approve technical deliverables, factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and commissioning reports prior to final acceptance of ICT systems and infrastructure.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Network Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in ICT infrastructure, enterprise IT systems, data center design and implementation, or digital transformation projects.
Demonstrated experience in the design, planning, and implementation of enterprise ICT infrastructure, including data centers, networking, storage, virtualization, and cybersecurity solutions.
Proven experience serving as a technical advisor on digital transformation, e-government, or large-scale ICT modernization initiatives.
Demonstrated experience in developing technical specifications, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), and technical requirements for ICT infrastructure and data center procurements.
Proven experience participating in technical evaluations of ICT procurements, including developing evaluation criteria, scoring methodologies, and serving on technical evaluation committees.
Strong technical knowledge of:
- Data center architecture, virtualization, and cloud/on-premises infrastructure;
- Enterprise networking (LAN, WAN, VPN, wireless, routing, and switching);
- Cybersecurity frameworks, identity and access management, encryption, and disaster recovery;
- Enterprise storage, backup, database systems, and business continuity planning.
Experience reviewing ICT vendor proposals, validating technical designs, and overseeing system testing, commissioning, and acceptance is highly desirable.
Experience working with government institutions, public sector digital transformation programs, or donor-funded projects is highly desirable.
Excellent analytical, technical writing, communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and provide technical leadership within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Professional certifications such as PMP, ITIL, Cisco (CCNA/CCNP), Microsoft Azure, VMware, AWS, or Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) are considered an asset.