Position Location: Damascus, Syria (field-based, with travel within Syria as conditions and program needs permit)
Background:
Creative Associates International is a global development organization founded in 1977, with experience supporting education systems, economic opportunity, governance, and stabilization in complex environments. Creative is registered and has implemented programs in Syria since 2012 and maintains operational presence in the country. We work with governments, communities and local organizations to strengthen institutions and advance measurable results.
Position Summary:
Creative is identifying potential candidates for an anticipated leadership role on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)-funded Syria Education Program III (SEP III). The anticipated technical assistance (TA) component will support Syria’s Ministry of Education (MoE) and Education Directorates in advancing Syrian-led education reform, improving foundational learning, and strengthening education sector systems. Indicative areas include political economy and institutional diagnostics; teacher development and coaching; safeguarding and inclusion; education planning and financial management; and data use and monitoring. The anticipated implementation period begins in mid-2027, with inception and a predominantly Syrian, Syria-based delivery team. Final scope, contractual arrangements and dates are subject to FCDO procurement and award.
The Team Lead will be responsible for the overall strategic leadership, mobilization, quality, financial stewardship, contractual performance and adaptive delivery of SEP III. The Team Lead will be Creative’s principal liaison with FCDO and senior Syrian education counterparts, oversee the core delivery team and a flexible technical assistance pool, and ensure technical support is responsive to Ministry priorities, politically informed, and implemented through national systems.
Reporting & Supervision:
This position reports to the designated Creative Project Director and supervises senior program staff, including technical and operational leadership roles, as assigned.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead overall program strategy, inception, rapid mobilization, work planning, contractual delivery, and achievement of results in accordance with FCDO requirements.
- Serve as principal relationship manager with FCDO, the MoE, Education Directorates and strategic partners; communicate credibly and effectively with senior counterparts in Arabic and English.
- Provide strategic direction to a predominantly Syrian core team and flexible TA pool; recruit, coach and supervise high-performing staff while promoting local ownership and capacity transfer.
- Oversee demand-led TA assignments, including prioritization, tasking, quality assurance, resource allocation and accountability for deliverables.
- Manage program budgets, forecasting, value for money, subcontracts, procurement, risk registers, safeguarding and FCDO contractual compliance and reporting.
- Ensure political economy analysis, stakeholder mapping and documented quarterly adaptation decisions shape reform sequencing and implementation.
- Oversee technical coherence across foundational literacy and numeracy, curriculum reform, teacher development, inclusion, safeguarding, education financing, data and education systems strengthening.
- Represent Creative in relevant donor and education sector fora and coordinate with GPE, ECW, UNICEF, relevant non-formal education providers and other stakeholders as appropriate.
- Ensure conflict sensitivity, gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), safeguarding, and ethical operational practices are applied throughout program delivery.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in education, public administration, international development or a closely related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, including at least five years in a COP, Team Leader, Program Director or equivalent senior role on complex, multi-year programs.
- Significant demonstrated experience managing FCDO-funded programs (normally five or more years), including direct accountability for FCDO contract compliance, budgets, value for money, reporting and senior donor relationships.
- Professional proficiency in Arabic and English (professional speaking, reading and writing) is required; ability to lead high-level technical and policy discussions in both languages.
- Demonstrated leadership of education-sector technical assistance, public-sector institutional strengthening or government reform in fragile, conflict-affected or politically transitional settings.
- Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex partnerships, including nationally led delivery, short-term technical experts and program start-up.
- Risk management, communication and negotiation skills; demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior government officials and donors.
- Ability and willingness to be based in Damascus and travel for program purposes, subject to applicable security and organizational requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior senior leadership of an FCDO education, governance or technical assistance facility contract, ideally as prime contractor representative.
- Experience in Syria.
- Experience overseeing demand-led TA pools, task orders and adaptive program management.
Recruitment Notice: This expression of interest is for advance candidate identification only. The position is contingent upon Creative’s decision to pursue the opportunity, applicable procurement requirements, and contract award. Position details may change when FCDO issues final terms of reference.
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.