Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. RTI’s Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group (IDG) brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI’s experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world. Within SG&R, the Global Food Security and Agriculture team is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe.
Project Description
The purpose of the recently-awarded $17.4M USAID Rwanda Feed the Future Employment and Entrepreneurship (E&E) Activity is to address the problem of insufficient employment opportunities and limited entrepreneurial success for Rwandans. E&E will facilitate capacity development for Rwandans – particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities – in key technical and soft skills required to participate in a modern workforce and will catalyze new entry and growth of inclusive enterprises. The program will be based in Rwanda.
Position Description
The Chief of Party (COP) serves as the primary point of contact with the USAID/Rwanda Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The COP provides overall leadership and manages the Contractor’s efforts to achieve the activity results. The COP guides day-to-day implementation and management of the Contract to ensure timely, relevant, high-quality services. The COP also has overall responsibility for assuring that all activity tasks are completed, and the objectives of the Activity are successfully met. The COP supervises the work of all personnel assigned tasks under the Activity; ensures timely, accurate and user-friendly reporting on the progress and status of all services provided under the Activity; and ensures USAID-compliance and integrity of Activity operations. The COP is also responsible for facilitating communication and close coordination with all stakeholders of the Activity. The COP will report to RTI HQ Project Management staff.
Reporting to RTI’s home office, the COP ensures that all project technical and administrative deliverables are of exceptional quality, delivered on time and within budget while respecting RTI and client compliance standards and regulations applicable to USAID contracts.
Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Holds primary responsibility for project performance and budget management, ensuring that all project technical and administrative deliverables are of exceptional quality, delivered on time and within budget while respecting RTI and client compliance standards and regulations.
- Provides overall project vision and leadership; manage overall project design and delivery.
- Oversees preparation and delivery of high-quality deliverables to USAID, including quarterly, annual, and other reports required by the contract. This includes providing project data and information, reviewing documents for accuracy, and writing relevant sections as agreed with the home office.
- Fosters and maintains effective, professional relations with a broad range of government counterparts, local organizations, donors, and other stakeholders for successful implementation.
- Manages client relations and serves as primary liaison and RTI representative with the client and stakeholders regarding overall policy, resource mobilization and allocation, joint initiatives and coordination of project management and planning.
- Ensures internal integration of project activities through: 1) the annual work plan and budgeting process; 2) creating/maintaining an effective project management team and a One Team approach amongst consortium partners; 3) overseeing an effective monitoring, evaluation and learning system; and 4) establishing collaboration links with relevant USAID and other donor activities.
- Manages all aspects of staffing, including maintaining a clear organizational structure with specific roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines.
- Ensures management systems are operational to track expenditures (including labor) and monitor same against the Activity work plan and budget, according to both company policy and client standards/regulations.
- Ensures all staff receives adequate security and operational support and that Standard Operating Procedures are implemented. Liaises with RTI’s Nairobi Regional Office as necessary.
- Develops and implements practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Master’s and 12 years’ experience in market systems, work force development, or positive youth development OR Bachelor’s and 15 years’ experience in these fields.
- Proven leadership in the administration of similar size international donor support programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting.
- Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated experience managing relationships with senior executives of various stakeholder (e.g. donor, partner government, private sector).
- Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the Activity.
- Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
- Demonstrated experience in adaptive management for improving business processes and program outcomes.
- Proficiency in English is required.
- Work experience in East Africa preferred.
As a global employer of choice, RTI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace and the communities and markets where we serve our mission. We value diversity of thought, culture, background and perspective and welcome applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, creed, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws or RTI policy.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Further information is available here.
Ethics Notice: No one at RTI may ever demand payment for anything of value in exchange for anything related to the hiring process (including, for example, for applying for, interviewing for, or receiving any offer of employment). If any such request is made, please report this request confidentially to RTI’s Ethics office at HRethics@rti.org. Any payment made will disqualify any applicant from future employment at RTI. Please only use the HRethics@rti.org email address to report ethics concerns; any job applications sent to this email address will not be processed.
RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.
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