Strengthening Specialist at RTI International

Strengthening Specialist Job Responsibilities

• Help design and delivery institutional capacity assessments that will consult the various RIGO staff on their key strengths, challenges, needs, and priorities and will establish a baseline in which to measure progress. This assessment will also form the basis for a customized performance solutions package for each RIGO.
• Lead the implementation of the performance solutions package by mentoring IGAD staff in a wide range of areas helping increase their capabilities to perform their duties and achieve their institutional mandate.
• Although the support will be determined after the assessment and in consultation with the respective RIGOs, illustrative areas may include leadership, strategic planning, institutional governance, data collection and reporting, communication, fundraising, donor coordination, and HR.
• Develop creative approaches to strengthening the institutional capacity of key RIGOs that align with USAID’s HICD approach so that solutions are customized to the unique needs of each RIGO. Approaches should be highly participatory, hands-on, and learner-focused.
• Be an integral member of each RIGO Working Group and help to maintain momentum, ownership, and motivation of senior RIGO management and Working Group members in implementing actions identified within the performance solutions package.
• Manage the Organizational Strengthening Specialists and provide guidance and support in designing and delivering OD resources and approaches. Oversee the quality of all OD materials.
• Seek continuous feedback from the RIGOs in order to ensure their satisfaction and improve the delivery of the solutions package.
• Coordinate with project partners providing OD support and ensure that efforts are streamlined and sequenced appropriately.
• Continuously monitor the results of project activities, evaluating progress against project targets and identifying course-corrections that may be needed in order to improve impact.

Requirements for the Strengthening Specialist Job

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in international development, public administration, public policy, finance management, economic policy, or related field.
• A minimum of 12 years of experience, with at least 5 years in organizational development of national or regional institutions.
• Successful experience in non-traditional approaches to capacity development, such as peer-to-peer learning and mentoring and coaching.
• Broad expertise across capacity development areas: leadership, strategic planning, change management, human resources, fundraising, M&E, communications, and coordination.
• Experience in working with RIGOs, ideally within East Africa, is highly desired.
• A track-record in adaptive approaches and, ideally, familiarity or experience in utilizing USAID’s HICD model.
• Exceptional cross-cultural, verbal, and written communication skills so that she/he is able to create a shared vision on project objectives and activities among diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative team-player that is proactive in identifying challenges, proposing solutions, and is results-driven.
• An ability to resolve sensitive and complicated work issues with senior high-level country counterparts, donor representatives and senior-level staff.
• Experience in managing staff (including staff that may be working remotely) and building teams.
• Fluency in English.
• CPT or HPI certification strongly preferred.