Job Openings at Creative Associates International Inc

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.

REGIONAL PROCUREMENT AND GRANTS MANAGER

REQUISITION NUMBER: 17-0051

POSITION SUMMARY

The Regional Procurement and Grants Manager is responsible for overseeing the procurement and grant portfolios for all of Creative/Africa, currently comprised of projects in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia, Tanzania.
The Regional Procurement and Grant Manager shall provide support for procurement-intensive and deadline-oriented activities and will provide support to procurement and grant staff.
The Regional Procurement and Grant Manager must have an in-depth knowledge of international and U.S. Government procurement and grant regulations and ensure that procurements and grants are compliant with all local laws.
The selected candidate must be equipped to ensure strict compliance for both U.S. State Department/USAID and implementing partner procurement/grant rules and regulations.
The Regional Procurement and Grants Manager will be responsible for reviewing overall procurement and grant processes, training, forms and templates and compliance to Creative’s processes and policies, providing regular training and mentoring to procurement and grant staff.
This position will be based in Abuja, Nigeria.  Travel within Africa is expected.

Reporting & Supervision:
The Regional Procurement and Grants Manager will report to the Director of Grants/Procurement Management and Administration in Washington D.C.  He/She will support procurement officers based throughout Africa.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Review the implementation of procurement and grant processes and logistics operations for all Africa based projects, strictly following all USG and established Creative rules and regulations, including all stipulations established by local laws. Rules and regulations include:
ADS (Automated Directive System)
FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations)
CFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations)
AAPD (Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directive)
Established Creative Procurement/Grant Policies
Local Law
Review and recommend changes to procurement/grant policies and procedures as required.
enforce and maintain policies for procurement/grant processes.
Spearhead training initiatives for all project staff to increase awareness for procurement/grant issues such as procurement/grant planning, bidder/application evaluations, fraud prevention and quality control.
review and verify the procurement of materials according to the context and/or needs of the beneficiary, community and/or Project.
Assist Develop and analyze technical specifications of materials, with consideration for investment, loss, and associated value; review and adjust budgets, as needed.
Update forms and templates,
Work with local, national, and international vendors of goods and services to ensure quality, maintain professional distance required to ensure high ethical standards.
Process procurements/grants according to respective rules and regulations.
Other duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in a relevant field.  A Master's Degree (or its equivalent) is preferred.
A minimum of five years' work experience is required. or a Bachelor’s degree with 7 years’ relevant experience.
Demonstrated supervisory and management experience
Demonstrated organizational capacity to handle a portfolio of high-priority procurements and grants.
Excellent timekeeping skills and ability to independently manage deadline-oriented tasks

REGIONAL HR OPERATIONS MANAGER
REQUISITION NUMBER: 17-0087

POSITION SUMMARY
Based in Abuja, Nigeria, the Regional HR Operations Manager will drive consistency and effectiveness in HR Operations policies and practices to ensure effective, strategic and efficient delivery of local HR Operations within Nigeria and increasingly activities in the West & Central Africa Region.
Working directly with local HR Managers and project staff, the Regional HR Manager will provide strategic guidance and support in the areas of employee relations issues, local compensation planning, performance management, key HR disciplinary processes, employee benefits, recruitment and  proposal capture.
The Regional HR manager will also manage the Nigeria and progressively regional talent strategy with respect to compensation, hiring, retention, employee development.
Reporting directly to the Director, Global HR Operations this role will work to support the Practice Area Directors and will collaborate and interact regularly with the COPs and HQ program teams they support.

Regional Human Resources Operations & Capacity Building:
Identify, train and advise a capable Human Resources Professional in each field office to serve as the leader for Human Resources in the field office;
Provide operational HR support to field HR teams and project leadership while supporting the HR planning process for effective HR programing in the region;
Partner  with  program and functional leaders within the region  to understand the areas of greatest HR needs in the field offices, and develop a plan and resources to support these needs;
Provide ongoing training and support to field office leaders and staff on HR management;
Provide project start-up and close-out support;
Lead local regional performance management and succession planning annual review process. Provide strategic advice on performance management and career development to key program stakeholders to  strengthen the links between individual performance and delivery of strategic priorities;
Ensure quality new hire orientations and on-boarding practices across the region that help integrate new hires successfully into Creative; develop materials that can be adapted for use in local hire orientations;
Analyze regional  trends and metrics in partnership with the Global HR Division to develop solutions, programs and policies;
In consultation with Global HR Director/Security, manage and resolve complex employee relations issues. Conduct effective, thorough and objective investigations as necessary;
Maintain in-depth knowledge of country legal requirements related to management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partner with HQ Global HR and the legal department as needed/required;
Oversee UltiPro data/employment administration processes to ensure data integrity;
Work closely with regional HR  managers, program/functional leaders and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention;
Mentors and coaches local HR staff;
Other duties as assigned

Regional Human Resources Compliance:
Provide coaching and support for Regional HR Managers and their staffs to build the required culture, values and ethical compliance.
Identify areas of need and drive the plan for full regional compliance;
Ensure a plan exists in each field office to achieve full compliance with local employment laws; support and monitor plans as necessary;
Ensure field office HR systems, including manuals, policies and procedures, are developed, continuously monitored and updated and are compliant with local laws, HQ standards and HR best practices;
Conduct field office audits  to ensure  HR  compliance with Creative standards and procedures;

Training & Development:
Partner with HQ program and functional teams to plan training/development for employees and managers in support of program business objectives, corporate programs and career planning.

Regional HR Talent Management & Recruitment:
Work in partnership with project HR staff and managers and US  hiring managers to attract key talent and acquire a highly talented and diverse workforce;
Ensure transparent and legally compliant full-cycle recruitment process is in place for each project and is consistent with Creative hiring guidelines.
Provide regional surge recruitment as necessary.

Regional HR Business Development - Capture:
Coordinate the preparation of HR programs and tools (compensation and benefits programs, Employee Handbooks, SOPs, manuals, management guidelines, and other HR infrastructure) to support proposals and new projects.
Recruit local staff in support of new business development efforts.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION
Bachelor's Degree and 6 years' related HR experience; MA Degree or a Law Degree with emphasis in Labor Law and 5 years related HR experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Nigeria and multi-country practice, particularly in West Africa, will be considered a plus.
Required knowledge, skills & abilities: required to perform the essential duties of this job.
Working knowledge of and experience in international, regional and national HR.
Working knowledge of and experience in local labor, particularly in Nigeria, and employment laws and legal resources.
High degree of professionalism and discretion; culturally astute.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisor, project staff, and clients.
Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English and French including the ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and diplomatically manage collegial relationships.
Must be detail oriented and highly organized. Able to support and respond to the needs of the project HR teams as quickly as possible to enable consistent project service delivery
Must work well under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Ability to work independently as well as perform in matrix organization.
Must possess strong computer skills: ability to work with Microsoft Office product suite and HR systems (UltiPro a plus).
Strong writing and presentation skills with ability to communicate well within and across diverse groups and perspectives.
Must have the ability and willingness to travel (up to 30%).

TO APPLY
Click on Job Title below:

REGIONAL PROCUREMENT AND GRANTS MANAGER
REGIONAL HR OPERATIONS MANAGER

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

DUE DATE: 31 March, 2017