Economic Partnership Lead

Overview:
**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.

**Position Summary**:
Creative is seeking an Economic Partnership Lead for an anticipated USAID-funded project. The 5-year activity aims to promote peace between the West Bank and Gaza (WBG) and Israel through expanded economic and research partnerships with the WBG, Israel and the U.S. The activity will also support expanded trade opportunities for Palestinians across the Middle East and North Africa region.

The Economic Partnership Lead will lead BREB’s Facilitating Cooperative Exchange and Knowledge Sharing component and will closely collaborate with other component leads, the grants team, and technical experts to coordinate and stimulate economic partnerships. They will lead and be responsible for identifying and establishing relationship with potential R&D partners, identify and strengthen internship and professional development/mentorship opportunities, and support technology transfer from Israel and the US to the West Bank and Gaza.

**Reporting**:
The Economic Partnership Lead will report to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP).

**Responsibilities**:
**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Identify and establish relationships with potential partners to form partnerships to scale, commercialize, disseminate, and market new technologies;
- Map key actors in the R&D space;
- Identify and support exchanges between Israeli and/or U.S. companies and Palestinian universities;
- Identify and develop internship programs for current and recent Palestinian university students and graduates;
- Develop creative partnership opportunities that can be incorporated into larger scale investment projects, and shortlist recommendations to the DCOP;
- Manage and participate in internal risk reviews and presentations;
- Conduct proposal meetings, assign tasks and set deadlines, track progress, communicate and compile information from partners and internal project departments and ensure the project’s technical and contractual requirements and deadlines are met;
- Ensure relevant technical elements of the work plan is successfully implemented;
- Provide relevant inputs for USAID-required project reporting as requested by the DCOP.

Qualifications:
**Required Skills & Qualifications**:

- Master's degree in business, finance, economics, or related field;
- Minimum of 6 years of experience working in agriculture, ICT, tourism and/or related sectors;
- Proven experience with the design and implementation of economic partnerships between Palestinian workers, businesses, and unions; and Israeli, US, or other international economic businesses and associations.
- Experience developing youth internship and mentorship programs;
- Demonstration of strong communication skills;
- Experience forming innovative win-win partnerships;
- Experience with challenge funds or other fund management mechanisms is a plus;
- Excellent communication skills and complete fluency in English and Arabic, Hebrew is a plus;
- Must demonstrate relevant experience in West Bank/Gaza and Israel.