Team Lead - Syria Education Program III

About the role

Creative Associates International is identifying potential candidates for a Team Lead role on the FCDO-funded Syria Education Program III (SEP III), which will support Syria's Ministry of Education and Education Directorates in education reform, foundational learning and sector system strengthening. The position is based in Damascus with travel within Syria as conditions and program needs permit, and reports to the Creative Project Director.

Key responsibilities

• Lead program strategy, inception, mobilization, work planning, contractual delivery and results in line with FCDO requirements.
• Serve as principal relationship manager with FCDO, the MoE, Education Directorates and strategic partners, communicating in Arabic and English.
• Provide strategic direction to a predominantly Syrian core team and a flexible TA pool, recruiting, coaching and supervising staff while promoting local ownership and capacity transfer.
• Oversee demand-led TA assignments, including prioritization, tasking, quality assurance, resource allocation and accountability.
• 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.
• Represent Creative in donor and education sector fora and coordinate with GPE, ECW, UNICEF and other stakeholders.
• Ensure conflict sensitivity, GEDSI, safeguarding and ethical practices are applied throughout delivery.

Required profile

• 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 experience managing FCDO-funded programs (normally five or more years), including direct accountability for contracts, budgets, reporting and donor relationships.
• Demonstrated leadership of education-sector technical assistance, public-sector institutional strengthening or government reform in fragile, conflict-affected or politically transitional settings.
• Ability and willingness to be based in Damascus and travel for program purposes.

Required skills

• Professional proficiency in Arabic and English (speaking, reading and writing).
• Risk management, communication and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex partnerships, including nationally led delivery and short-term technical experts.

The position is an expression of interest for candidate identification only; only finalists will be contacted, and the scope is subject to FCDO procurement and award.