[Hiring] Chief of Party @Research Triangle Institute

Role Description

RTI is seeking Chief of Party (COP) candidates for anticipated 5-year USDA Food for Progress projects in multiple locations. Priority countries for Food for Progress include: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The Food for Progress (FFPr) Program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries and emerging democracies committed to introducing and expanding free enterprise in the agricultural sector. Food for Progress has two high-level strategic objectives:

• Increase agricultural productivity.
• Expand trade of agricultural products (domestically, regionally, and internationally).

The Chief of Party will serve as primary liaison and representative with the USDA client and will be responsible for overall management, strategic direction, and leadership of Food for Progress (FFPr) Program activities. This position is contingent upon donor funding.

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Responsible for overall management and vision of the project, including leading planning, oversight, and coordination of all project activities and personnel.
• Serves as the primary liaison between USDA country client and RTI, managing overall client relationship and ensuring all contractual technical deliverables and reporting requirements are met and in compliance with contractual requirements and RTI standards.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders and counterparts regarding overall policy, resource mobilization and allocation, joint initiatives, and coordination of project management and planning.
• Supervises senior technical and operational staff, leading performance planning, development and evaluation processes. Ensures staff development and career progression.
• Responsible for developing and implementing practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.
• Oversees recruiting/mobilization for international and local staff, both long and short term.
• Oversees the project leadership team and conducts regular meetings to ensure overall execution of project vision and efficient and cost-effective achievement of all results.
• Oversees performance MEL to ensure all project targets are met or exceeded, making recommendations for improvement in project implementation.
• Ensure that systems are in place and deployed to track expenditures (including labor) and monitor same against the Program work plan and budget, according to both company policy and client standards/regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 15 years of experience, Master's degree and 12 years of experience, PhD and 8 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of management and leadership experience, managing large USG donor-funded projects of similar size ($20+ million or more) in developing countries.
• Prior experience as a Chief of Party leading USG-funded programs in developing countries; USDA donor experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in Food for Progress (FFPr) priority countries: including Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
• Technical knowledge and experience implementing programs focused on agricultural productivity and/or trade of agricultural products.
• Experience working with the US private sector and in emerging markets.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain professional relationships with host country government counterparts and a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector businesses, associates, and civil society organizations.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and an ability to manage projects with remote offices and team members.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing adaptive management to successfully guide programming.
• English fluency; Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Other country specific languages such as Spanish, dependent on project locations.
• Qualified local national candidates are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Generous paid time off policy.
• Merit-based annual increases.
• Bonus opportunities.
• Robust recognition program.
• Competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability).
• Access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan.
• Paid parental leave for all parents.
• Financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments.
• Financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities.
• Employee assistance program.
• Numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Company Description

RTI's Center for International Development implements large-scale, multidisciplinary projects across health, energy, agriculture, water, and education by leveraging RTI’s deep cross-Institutional knowledge, proven solutions, and contextual expertise. We achieve global impact by improving lives, driving economic growth, and enhancing stability in fragile and developing geographies.