Career Opportunities at RTI International

Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist Job Responsibilities

• Develop a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan that helps the project team to understand outputs, outcomes, and impact of institutional capacity strengthening activities for RIGOs. The MEL plan must measure the efficiency of each intervention with each RIGO in its component parts, and the effectiveness of USAID’s investment including the main inputs and outputs, milestones, and deliverables.
• Develop and implement quantitative and qualitative tools that will help the team to measure its progress against indicators over time, synthesize data trends, and learn which interventions may produce the greatest results.
• Routinely inform the team of findings in order to influence project decisions and support the most effective interventions.
• Track and analyze changes in institutional culture, behaviors, and practices.
• Work with the project staff to verify data, collect and review supporting documentation, and enter data into an online database system.
• Provide technical assistance to RIGOs on M&E, helping to build their capacity in this area so that they can better collect, analyze, and share data and better evaluate their effectiveness in reaching member states.
• Contribute to data reporting in quarterly and annual reports.
• Oversee quality control over data and coordinate any Data Quality Assessments.
• Support management of activities and partners by identifying and communicating opportunities and obstacles in achieving performance results.
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement and communication of data, focusing on peer learning and knowledge exchange.

Requirements for the Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist Job

• A Master’s degree with at least 9 years of experience, with at least 4 years in the field of monitoring and evaluation.
• Successful experience in collecting, verifying, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data in a clear format that will help to guide decision-making.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills and ability to visualize and report data in a clear and compelling way.
• Experience in conducting focus groups, surveys, and assessments in order to collect data and evaluate results.
• Experience working on projects funded by USAID or other bilateral donor-funded projects.
• At least three years of work experience in East Africa.
• Exemplary writing, verbal communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Excellent collaboration, cross-cultural, and consensus-building skills.
• Demonstrated experience in working with senior or high-level stakeholders and sensitivity in navigating complex relationships.
• Experience in working with other institutions to build their capacity in M&E.
• Experience in utilizing databases.
• Fluency in English.
• Familiarity with USAID’s Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation Approach is highly desired.
• Experience in working with RIGOs is a plus.
• Experience in implementing USAID’s Organizational Performance Index (OPI) measurement tool, or an equivalent, is highly desired.
• Knowledge of statistical software such as SPSS, SAS or STATA is a plus.

go to method of application »

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.

go to method of application »

Deputy Chief of Party Responsibilities

• Support the Chief of Party to manage technical and administrative personnel and subcontractors in the implementation of a large, complex activity to build capacity of actors in targeted value chains.
• Serve as Acting Chief of Party during any absence of the Chief of Party.
• Serve as RTI’s alternate liaison to USAID, government counterparts, private partnerships, local organizations, and program partners when COP is unavailable. Ensures a high level of communication and close working relationships with USAID.
• Assist the Chief of Party to ensure timely project implementation and technical reliability, monitor project activities, and ensure quality.
• Provide technical and/or operational guidance and serve as a subject matter expert in assigned area or responsibility
• Coordinate the development, implementation and reporting on detailed management plans that may include implementation plans, deliverable tracking, etc., in assigned area of responsibility.
• Track and report quarterly on programmatic achievements as required for project deliverable reporting.
• Produces technical and/or operational reports and updates for deliverable reporting and project success stories.
• Ensure effective coordination and synergies between policy –level, market level, and community based activities, while managing heavy procurements, deliveries and other related logistical actions.
• May coordinate and oversee the operation of other project offices.

Qualifications for the Deputy Chief of Party

• Master’s degree in international development, economics, business, agricultural or rural development and at least 9 years of demonstrated management experience in managing value chain or agri-business projects.
• Experience in economic growth, value chain development, or agricultural development programs is required.
• Experience in dairy or horticulture is preferred.
• Knowledge of market facilitation approach is required.
• Knowledgeable and experienced with international development contracting policies and procedures, specifically USAID.
• Experience working in East Africa is required; Experience in Kenya is preferred.
• Familiarity with international development systems, policies, finances and management in developing countries.
• Ability to build consensus and demonstrated ability to recruit and develop high performing teams; demonstrated ability to manage international and national staff.
• Experience and demonstrated capacity to build and sustain partnerships to achieve development results.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English. Fluency in Kiswahili preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across projects, flexible and creative.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.

go to method of application »

Chief of Party Job Responsibilities

• Manages client relations and serves as primary liaison and IDG Representative with the client and stakeholders regarding overall policy, resource mobilization and allocation, joint initiatives and coordination of project management and planning
• Provides technical direction and oversight of project value chain and dairy production activities.
• Hold primary responsibility for project performance and budget management.
• Leads planning, oversight and coordination of all project activities and personnel, operational and technical.
• Ensures all project deliverables exceed expectations and managed within budget.
• Ensure internal integration of project activities through: 1) the annual work plan and budgeting process; 2) creating/maintaining an effective project management team; 3) overseeing an effective monitoring and evaluation system
• Provide leadership and oversight for areas such as Finance, Operations, Reporting, Public Affairs, Fund Management and Human Resources; liaise with Regional Office and business partners per policy and practice.
• Responsible to ensure all staff receives adequate security and operational support and that Standard Operating Procedures are implemented.
• Manage all aspects of staffing and creating/maintaining a clear organizational structure with specific roles, responsibilities and reporting lines.
• Ensure management systems are operational to track expenditures (including labor) and monitor same against the Program work plan and budget, according to both company policy and client standards/regulations
• Responsible for developing and implementing practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.

Qualifications for the Chief of Party Job

• Master’s Degree in international development, agronomy, economics, business, or rural development and 12 years of demonstrated senior management experience in managing value chain or agri-business projects.
• Demonstrated success using the market facilitation approach in agricultural development projects.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading value chain development activities; experience in horticulture and dairy value chains preferred.
• Experience managing large subcontracts or grants under contracts preferred.
• Prior experience managing donor-funded programs in East Africa, experience in Kenya preferred.
• Written and verbal fluency in English.
• Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across projects, flexible and creative.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to build and manage cooperative high-level relationships and motivate subordinates
• Knowledgeable and experienced with USAID policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with international development systems, policies, finances and management in developing countries.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability.
• Culturally sensitive and respectful.

go to method of application »

Finance & Admin Manager Job Responsibilities

• Oversee all payments issued under the project (including those made to vendors, grantees, consultants, subcontractors, and staff) and ensure that they are issued in compliance with RTI and USAID financial accounting policies and procedures and that they are in line with the project budget.
• Ensure proper segregation of duties on all authorized financial transactions.
• Record all financial transactions in QuickBooks and ensures accurate bookkeeping with proper supporting documentation.
• Manage payroll administration, including appropriate deductions as required under relevant labor laws and RTI policies.
• Manage the monthly financial close each month, according to RTI protocols.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of monthly financial statements, including expenses, receivables, and reconciliations of bank accounts.
• Take a lead in preparing the annual project budget that aligns with project workplan activities.
• Routinely monitor and follow up on any outstanding advances and ensures that they are appropriately liquidated within a timely manner.
• Regularly monitors the project budget, informing the Chief of Party and other staff on the project burn rate and advising her/him on any necessary adjustments.
• Routinely prepare financial projections (including accrued and projected costs) with the project team in order to ensure that project expenses are in line with the budget and provide accurate forecasts.
• Manage project cash flow and prepares bi-weekly requests for cash from the RTI home office that details projected costs for the period, minimizing excess funds in the project bank account each month.
• Play a HR function on the project, including communicating and administering RTI HR policies,
• Oversee the HR paperwork for project staff and liaises with the appropriate RTI HR business partner to ensure that policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Monitor the balances of staff vacation, or personal time off (PTO).
• Oversee administration of compensation and benefits to staff according to RTI procedures.
• Manage the overall administration of the office and ensures that office supplies are in stock and oversees use of the project vehicle.
• Manage the project assets and maintains control over project property through a log that indicates the property, value of property, condition and location.
• Potentially manage administrative staff supporting the project.

Requirements for the Finance & Admin Manager Job

• Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field.
• At least 9 years of experience in managing the finances and administration of a donor-funded programs, preferably on a USAID-funded program, including knowledge of accounting, bookkeeping, and monitoring and managing budgets
• Deep knowledge of USAID rules and regulations.
• Experience and familiarity with QuickBooks, or a similar accounting program is highly desired.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills so that non-finance staff understand the budget and expenditures and can link the implementation of their technical work to finance and ensure that the project remains within the budget.
• Strong team-player skills and the ability to ensure that policies are carried out across multiple countries.