Current Openings at Creative Learning

Program Manager, Aid to Artisans Division

About Creative Learning/Aid to Artisans

Creative Learning is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. Since its inception in 1977, Creative Learning has assisted communities, non-governmental organizations, and educational institutions at home and abroad to foster change that has a lasting social impact.

Focusing on communities with pressing human needs, Creative Learning enhances the capacity of local organizations around the world to improve the lives of people in their communities. Through the creation of people-to-people partnerships, we are especially dedicated to empowering peacemakers and artisans, supporting their economic and social development and building peace.

The Aid to Artisans (ATA) division creates economic opportunities for at-risk artisan groups around the world through its integrated approach to product development, business skills training, market access and eco-effective processes. Environmentally sound practices are at the foundation of its methodology. ATA accomplishes this by working together with local partners in local markets, leaving behind an infrastructure that continues to support the artisan community long after ATA completes its mentoring.

Overview of the position

The Program Manager (PM) provides support and management for ATA programs in the development, design and implementation stages. The PM serves a key role in project implementation, providing US-based support for field directors and staff, and collaborating with program partners (e.g. donors, prime contractors, implementing partners, field-based coordinators) serving as a project lead when appropriate. This position contributes to the project team efforts to assure that all ATA projects are executed in compliance within contractual and budget requirements, while achieving or exceeding expectations for project results. At the project level, the Program Manager represents the project to all home office-based functions by providing detailed information on the project status, as well as serving as a critical link to external contacts to reinforce Training, Marketing, Business development or similarly related client management.

The PM is involved in Program Development activities, which may include proposal research, coordination of proposal materials, and submission of materials to funders, as well as support for ongoing business development activities. This role also identifies, plans and implements project-based and program-wide initiatives as guided by ATA’s organizational priorities and senior management team. The Program Manager is a full-time position reporting to the Director of Programs.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Project Management and Implementation
    • Serve as ATA project lead for small and medium projects, supporting field-based project leaders as assigned for larger projects with field operations.
    • Understand the contractual obligations with respect to project administration, programmatic goals, results and restrictions, to ensure ATA is compliant throughout the project implementation process.
    • Supervise and assist field-based partners, staff and consultants to assemble and synthesize feedback from the home office team into the project plan, then communicate home office decision-making to the project lead or field team, as needed.
    • Monitor the project results, budget and activity plan monthly to ensure that implementation is on track, raising flags/issues to the project lead or Director of Programs, as appropriate, for corrections to implementation plans.
    • Supervise and/or coordinate administrative and logistical support for international consultancies and field staff travel to the US.
    • Identify and document success stories, project information, other communications for ATA-wide promotion and project-specific public relations efforts, both generating ideas and providing responses to specific requests for related information.
  • Business Development
    • Lead specific program development initiatives that ensure fully-funded new and existing programs, while working closely with the New Business function to actively support the pursuit of a broad range of new funding opportunities and program concepts.
    • Provide general support for new business efforts, including but not limited to providing proposal coordination, program design and editing, working with potential partners to define roles, budgets, results
    • Provide assistance in research, writing, and compilation of proposal materials to be submitted to potential program funders.
    • Keep organizational new business documents up-to-date and accurately filed; provide supporting documentation for proposals.

Required Qualifications

  • 2+ years of experience in international program design and implementation; knowledge and experience with crafts strongly
  • Bachelor’s degree required, related advanced degree strongly preferred
  • Proven skills in project management and organizational operations.
  • Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, sound judgement and ability to work independently.
  • Strong organizational skills:  excellent attention to detail, able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
  • Demonstrates commitment to working collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, interns and donors
  • Demonstrated excellent communication skills including verbal, written and presentation abilities
  • Occasional travel required. International travel experience preferred.
  • Competency in variety of Windows-based programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Second language strongly preferred (French, Spanish, Arabic or Hindu)
  • Understanding of USAID Regulations, World Bank, State Department preferred

Position is based in Washington DC.

We value diversity and inclusion and encourage all qualified people to apply.

While Creative Learning is open to individuals from various locations applying to join our team, please note that we are unable to pay for relocation expenses.

To apply, please send an email with your CV and cover letter to info@creativelearning.org with the subject line “ATA Program Manager”.