Program Assistant (Bauchi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Niger, Gombe

BACKGROUND

Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence is more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio of that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. Creative Associates International has been working in Nigeria for more than a decade to support education programs in Nigeria.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching (Adamawa) and technical assistance (On Demand States), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils. The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform. The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains. LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts .

  Location : Bauchi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Gombe, Niger, Ebonyi

Number of Opening : 6 (1 in each State)

Job Summary:

The Program Assistant (PA) works under close supervision performing entry level day-to-day work tasks within the project, which may include project backstopping support. This position provides regular, routine, and day-to-day support to the State Advisor and the Program unit as required. The Program Assistant executes administrative activities and implements project-related decisions and may support senior technical staff.

Essential Duties :

Project Management

The Program Assistant provides consistent and timely support to project teams during the planning and implementation of project activities. She/He may also be required to provide support to field activities while ensuring compliance with client and Creative’s administrative, financial, procurement and operational procedures.

Record Keeping and Reporting

The Program Assistant helps in preparation of activity budgets, expenditure tracking and retirements, payments and other forms of logistic support to the Program unit. She/He provides secretarial services to the Program Unit that include recording minutes and proceedings of activities and developing high quality reports.

Primary Responsibilities

• Performs daily technical, financial and administrative backstopping tasks for the field project team.
• Processes project invoices and ensures proper documentation and transaction compliance.
• Assists in developing and monitoring consultant agreements, including coordinating travel arrangements and facilitating payments.
• Develops working knowledge of company’s administrative processes, financial systems, and operating procedures, including Creative's project management systems.
• Conducts supplementary research in support of project activities.
• Supports a variety of routine practice area activities, as requested.
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Required Education & Experience, Skills and Abilities

• High School Diploma required. BA/BS degree desired.
• At least 3 years of prior work experience (2+ years general work experience and including at least 1.5 years of specific experience related to the position required).
• Entry level Spoken and Written English is required. Medium level Spoken and Written English is highly desired, Entry level required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent record keeping and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite including Excel and Word.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy.

How to apply: Interested candidates should indicate preferred location on their Cover Letter (e.g Program Assistant-Bauchi)

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP  here .