TVET Systems Reform Lead

2 min read

Background:

Creative Associates International is an international professional services firm with more than four decades of experience strengthening education systems, workforce development programs, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems in partnership with governments, the private sector, and local institutions. Creative designs and implements market-driven, competency-based workforce development initiatives that improve school-to-work transitions, strengthen labor market alignment, and expand economic opportunities for youth and adults. Our expertise spans national TVET policy and governance reform, institutional strengthening, qualifications and accreditation systems, curriculum modernization, instructor development, public-private partnerships, and workforce transition services. Through a systems-strengthening approach, Creative helps governments and stakeholders build sustainable, inclusive, and data-driven education and workforce systems that improve learning outcomes, employability, and economic growth.

Project Summary:

Creative is preparing for a forthcoming Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-funded opportunity under the Belize Compact’s Education Project focused on strengthening Belize’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system and improving pathways from training to employment. The anticipated program will support the establishment and operationalization of the National Training Authority, strengthen industry engagement through Sector Skills Councils, enhance the quality and relevance of TVET programs, expand work-based learning opportunities, and improve labor market information and workforce outcomes. Creative is seeking qualified experts with experience in TVET systems reform, workforce development, institutional strengthening, employer engagement, competency-based training, labor market systems, and related fields to support proposal development and potential program implementation.

TVET Systems Reform Lead

Desired Experience, Expertise, Skills, and Capabilities

Experience leading and/or contributing to TVET capacity building and institutional strengthening activities

Establishing or strengthening national TVET authorities, training agencies, qualifications authorities, or accreditation bodies

Experience leading TVET policy reform implementation and instructional training initiatives

TVET financing and grant facility design

Experience working on the development of national qualifications frameworks

Strong understanding of accreditation and certification systems

Institutional development and change management

Experience operationalizing a National Training Authority, such as the development of governance structures, operational procedures, and strategic planning tools required for the effective oversight of the TVET system

Experience supporting donor-funded programs, preferred MCC experience and/or World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, USG-funded programs, Inter-American Development Bank

Experience working in Belize, the Caribbean or a similar context in the relevant sectors

TVET Data Systems Lead

2 min read

Background:

Project Summary:

TVET Data Systems Lead

Experience conducting M&E activities on TVET, workforce development, and/or institutional strengthening activities

Experience working with labor market information systems, indicator reporting, impact evaluations, data collection and quality reviews

Experience with employment outcome tracking

Familiarity with international donor-funded M&E systems, MCC or World Bank experience preferred

Experience supporting donor-funded programs, preferred MCC experience and/or World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, USG-funded programs, Inter-American Development Bank

Experience working in Belize, the Caribbean or a similar context in the relevant sectors

Private Sector TVET Lead

2 min read

Background:

Project Summary:

Private Sector TVET Lead

Desired Experience, Expertise, Skills, and Capabilities

Experience improving pathways from training to employment, leading demand-driven training, coordinating public-partner partnerships, and facilitating apprenticeship opportunities.

Experience enhancing work-based learning and employment pathways, aligning to labor market needs, for TVET graduates

Experience developing and refining frameworks and systems to strengthen job placement mechanisms

Experience establishing and managing Sector Skills Councils and other mechanisms that enable systematic collaboration between training providers and industry

Experience expanding access to training opportunities and improving labor market information systems

Strong understanding of the Belize labor market, occupational standards, context, trends, and opportunities, specifically in the tourism, agriculture, energy, ICT, and other priority sectors.

Experience supporting donor-funded programs, preferred MCC experience and/or World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, USG-funded programs, Inter-American Development Bank

Experience working in Belize, the Caribbean or a similar context in the relevant sector

Procurement Agent Manager / Senior Procurement Specialist

3 min read

Location: Zambia (Anticipated MCC-Funded Opportunity)

Background: 

Since 1977, Creative Associates International has implemented projects in over 115 countries. We enable rapid, flexible programming through robust project management, comprehensive logistics capabilities, and high-quality technical assistance across multiple sectors. This includes project management, technical assistance, communications, monitoring and evaluation, security, procurement, and supply chain systems. Successful delivery of complex projects in sensitive and austere environments globally is further enabled by tested remote management, information assurance and cybersecurity, and third-party monitoring capabilities.

Position Summary

Creative is seeking experienced procurement professionals for anticipated Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-funded opportunities in Zambia. We are identifying candidates for potential roles including Procurement Agent Manager (PAM) and Senior Procurement Specialists to support the implementation of the MCA Zambia II Compact program valued at $458,000,000.

The selected professional(s) will provide strategic and operational procurement leadership in accordance with MCC Procurement Policy and Guidelines (PPG), international best practices, and applicable donor requirements. Responsibilities may include procurement planning, execution of competitive procurements, contract administration, capacity building, compliance monitoring, and support to implementing entities throughout the procurement lifecycle.

These positions are expected to support procurements financed under the Compact and includes four projects: (1) the Roads and Access Project, (2) the Asset Finance Project, (3) the Agriculture Policy Reform and Institutional Strengthening Project, and (4) the American Catalyst Facility for Development .

Key Responsibilities

Depending on the final role and level of responsibility, duties may include:

Lead and manage procurement activities in accordance with MCC Procurement Policy and Guidelines (PPG) and MCA Zambia procurement manual.

Develop and implement MCA Zambia procurement manual, procurement plans, schedules, and procurement strategies.

Manage competitive procurement processes for goods, works, consulting services, and non-consulting services.

Review technical specification and market research in support of procurement plan

Prepare and review solicitation documents, requests for proposals, bidding documents, evaluation reports, and contract award recommendations.

Ensure procurement processes are conducted with integrity, transparency, fairness, and full compliance with MCC requirements.

Advise clients and stakeholders on procurement approaches, risk mitigation measures, and procurement best practices.

Support contract administration activities, including amendments, performance monitoring, and contract closeout.

Coordinate with government counterparts, implementing entities, technical teams, legal advisors, and donor representatives.

Monitor procurement performance and prepare periodic procurement reports and management updates.

Provide procurement training, mentoring, and capacity-building support to local counterparts and project staff.

Support procurement audits, reviews, and compliance assessments.

Identify and mitigate procurement risks and contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives.

Maintain procurement documentation and records in accordance with donor requirements and organizational policies.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Law, Public Administration, Economics, or related field.

Minimum 8–15 years of progressively responsible procurement experience, depending on position level.

Demonstrated experience supporting Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the World Bank, regional development banks, or similar donor-funded procurement programs.

Strong knowledge of international competitive procurement processes and contract administration practices.

Experience procuring infrastructure, works, goods, and consulting services.

Experience conducting bid evaluations and preparing procurement documentation.

Familiarity with procurement compliance, audit readiness, and risk management practices.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Strong analytical, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.

Ability to work effectively in multicultural and international environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience serving as a Procurement Agent Manager, Senior Procurement Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Procurement Advisor, or similar leadership role on MCC-funded programs.

Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure or public sector development projects.

Knowledge of FIDIC contract frameworks and international contracting mechanisms.

Experience working with government ministries, implementing entities, and donor-funded project management units.

Professional certifications in procurement, supply chain management, project management, or contract management.

Prior work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa preferred.

Position Contingency

This position is contingent upon project award and client approval.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Creative Associates is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, or other protected characteristics in accordance with applicable laws.

Team Lead/Regional Office Director – El Salvador

4 min read

San Salvador, El Salvador

Background:

Creative Associates International (Creative) is a professional services company with more than 48 years of experience delivering turnkey services in sensitive, austere, and conflict-affected environments. With a legacy of trusted performance across 115+ countries around the world and deep subject matter expertise in security sector assistance, Creative is a proven leader in delivering solutions across the spectrum of counterterrorism, stabilization, and peacekeeping. We leverage existing operational platforms, including registrations/business licenses in over 60 countries, infrastructure, and in-country relationships to deliver services quickly across the Western Hemisphere, the Middle East & North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.

Project Summary:

The Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism Legal and Financial Disruption Program is a two-year project funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism. It aims to strengthen the capacity of governments across Latin America and the Caribbean to investigate, prosecute, and disrupt Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and their financial networks. The program will provide practical, multi-agency training and technical assistance for investigators, prosecutors, judges, financial intelligence units, and regulators to improve counterterrorism legal frameworks, enhance regional cooperation, and strengthen information sharing with U.S. counterparts. Through targeted support on terrorist financing, sanctions regimes, and institutional coordination, the program seeks to advance U.S. national security objectives by countering transnational criminal and terrorist threats, including networks linked to Iranian proxies operating in the region.

Position Summary:

The Team Lead/Regional Office Director will provide overall strategic, technical, operational, and managerial leadership for the Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism Legal and Financial Disruption Program. The Director will oversee program implementation across regional offices in El Salvador and Paraguay, ensuring activities are effectively coordinated, compliant with award requirements, and responsive to evolving regional security dynamics, U.S. Government priorities, and host-country needs.

Serving as the principal representative of the program, the Team Lead/Regional Office Director will maintain strong working relationships with the U.S. Department of State, host government counterparts, law enforcement and judicial institutions, financial intelligence units, private sector stakeholders, and regional partners. The Director will guide the development and delivery of technical assistance, training, and mentoring activities focused on counterterrorism investigations, terrorist financing disruption, sanctions implementation, interagency coordination, and regional information sharing.

The Team Lead/Regional Office Director will also lead the regional hub office in El Salvador, providing supervision and support to program staff, managing operational planning and risk mitigation, and ensuring high-quality programmatic and financial performance. The position requires demonstrated expertise in counterterrorism, anti-money laundering, transnational organized crime, illicit finance, rule of law, or related security sector programming in the Western Hemisphere.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Team Lead/Regional Office Director reports to the HQ Project Director. They will have direct reports, including subject matter experts and the Regional Director for the Paraguay office.

Primary Responsibilities

Provide overall strategic, technical, operational, and managerial leadership for the program in El Salvador and Paraguay.

Oversee implementation of program activities and ensure alignment with Department of State priorities, award requirements, and regional counterterrorism objectives.

Manage and supervise program operations across regional offices in El Salvador and Paraguay, including staff oversight, coordination, and performance management.

Serve as the primary liaison with the U.S. Department of State, host government counterparts, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, financial intelligence units, judicial actors, and other stakeholders.

Lead engagement with regional and national partners to strengthen interagency coordination, information sharing, and collaborative approaches to counterterrorism and terrorist financing disruption.

Oversee the design, delivery, and quality assurance of training, mentoring, and technical assistance activities related to counterterrorism investigations, prosecutions, sanctions, terrorist financing, and legal frameworks.

Ensure effective coordination and deconfliction with other donor-funded and U.S. Government-supported initiatives, including regional training programs and institutions.

Provide strategic guidance on emerging regional threats, operational risks, and political or security developments affecting program implementation.

Oversee work planning, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, budgeting, compliance, and risk management to ensure timely and high-quality program delivery.

Ensure compliance with U.S. Government regulations, cooperative agreement requirements, security protocols, and organizational policies and procedures.

Support the development of sustainable institutional partnerships and capacity-building approaches, including train-the-trainer models and long-term coordination mechanisms.

Represent the program at high-level meetings, workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagements throughout the region.

Minimum Skills and Qualifications

Advanced degree in law, international relations, criminology, public policy, security studies, counterterrorism, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing complex international development, rule of law, counterterrorism, security sector, anti-money laundering, counter threat finance, or transnational crime programs.

Demonstrated experience managing U.S. Government-funded programs, preferably with the Department of State, DOJ, USAID, or other relevant international assistance agencies.

Strong knowledge of counterterrorism legal frameworks, terrorist financing, sanctions regimes, anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), and regional security dynamics in Western Hemisphere.

Experience working with law enforcement, prosecutors, judicial institutions, financial intelligence units, and host government counterparts.

Proven leadership and team management experience overseeing multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams in complex operating environments.

Demonstrated ability to manage program operations, budgets, compliance requirements, monitoring and evaluation systems, and donor reporting.

Strong diplomatic, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience interacting with senior government officials and international partners.

Professional fluency in English required; professional proficiency in Spanish strongly preferred.

Ability and willingness to live in El Salvador and travel to Paraguay, as needed.

Experience living and working in Western Hemisphere preferred.

EEOC Statement: Creative is an equal opportunity employer.

Chief of Party

2 min read

USDA McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program – Guinea

Position Summary:

Creative Associates International seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USDA-funded McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program in Guinea. The program will support school feeding, literacy improvement, nutrition, and food security outcomes for school-aged children while strengthening local systems, government capacity, and community participation.

The COP will provide overall strategic, technical, operational, financial, and managerial leadership for the program and serve as the primary liaison with USDA, Government of Guinea counterparts, consortium partners, and key stakeholders.

This position reports to the Home Office Project Director in Washington, D.C.

Primary Responsibilities

Provide overall strategic leadership and direction for the McGovern-Dole program in Guinea.
Lead project implementation and oversee achievement of program objectives, targets, and deliverables.
Ensure compliance with USDA regulations, commodity management requirements, financial controls, and reporting obligations.
Oversee systems related to commodity accountability, warehousing, transportation, inventory management, and risk mitigation.
Coordinate closely with consortium partners responsible for commodities and school feeding operations.
Provide oversight for literacy, teacher training, nutrition, school feeding, community engagement, and sustainability activities.
Serve as the primary liaison with USDA, Government of Guinea ministries, development partners, and key stakeholders.
Oversee monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems and promote data-driven decision-making.
Recruit, supervise, mentor, and support a multidisciplinary project team.
Monitor operational and security risks and support mitigation planning.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Education, International Development, Agriculture, Nutrition, Public Administration, or related field.
Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing large donor-funded international development programs.
Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience as Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Program Director, or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience managing USDA-funded programs strongly preferred, including McGovern-Dole, Food for Progress, Food for Peace, or related food security/school feeding programs.
Demonstrated experience overseeing complex operational or commodities management systems preferred.
Experience managing multi-sectoral programs involving education, nutrition, food security, school feeding, or community development.
Demonstrated experience working with government counterparts, donors, local organizations, and consortium partners.
Strong financial, operational, compliance, and risk management experience.
Demonstrated experience in fragile or complex operating environments preferred.
Professional fluency in French strongly preferred.
Professional working proficiency in English required.
Previous experience working in Guinea or West Africa strongly preferred.

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please. This position is contingent upon project award.

Creative Associates International is an Equal Opportunity Employer.