For nearly four decades, Research Triangle Institute International (RTI) has worked to improve education globally. From addressing education delivery in historically underserved areas of post-apartheid South Africa, to expanding disability-inclusive education in Cambodia, to raising reading scores nationwide in Kenya and elsewhere around the world, RTI seeks to ensure that all children fulfill their potential. Working with and in support of local partners (government and non-governmental), we employ evidence-based approaches to strengthen education practice, management, and policy at every level-from classrooms to ministries, to improve education outcomes.

Project Description:

Through the LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education, USAID intends to transfer money and services to an implementing partner or consortium of partners to address barriers to access and increase the quality of basic education for marginalized groups in selected countries of the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. The total funding provided by USAID is expected to be between USD 25M and 50M. USAID anticipates this will be done through the financial and technical support of a new or existing LAC-focused regional fund or platform that will provide grants and technical support to local entities in select LAC countries that are currently engaged in or have ideas for innovative and/or scalable activities that aim to address existing systemic barriers and improve access and foundational learning outcomes specifically for marginalized and vulnerable groups. USAID also anticipates this activity will include rigorous measurement to inform the adaptation and scaling of such interventions in the future. USAID is open to working jointly with other donor organizations on a new or existing regional funding platform, both in terms of catalyzing additional funding as well as technical collaboration for knowledge sharing and implementation. They also encourage implementing partners to be thinking about ways of mobilizing other donor and private sector investments and cost sharing as part of this activity.

Position Description:

RTI seeks a Deputy Chief of Party, Operations (DCOP) for the LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education. The DCOP will be responsible for supporting the Chief of Party (COP) in all operation and management aspects of the project. This position will be responsible for overseeing all financial management, procurement, sub-grants, logistics, security, and operations on the project. Candidates should possess a mix of strong management, administrative, sub grant experience and communication skills.

Responsibilities:

• Support the COP in all operation and management aspects of the project.
• Ensure proper administration of the project and oversee all financial, procurement, sub grants, and operational areas of responsibility.
• Coordinate the development, implementation and reporting on detailed management plans that may include implementation plans, deliverable tracking, etc., in assigned area of responsibility.
• Monitor and review project budget and expenditures, financial forecasts, working with business partners to ensure compliance with corporate and client regulations.
• Responsible for ensuring project financial goals are met.
• Responsible for the accuracy of project timelines, tasks, milestones, resource requirements, costs, risks and execution.
• Track and report quarterly on programmatic achievements as required for project deliverable reporting.
• Produces operational reports and updates for deliverable reporting and project success stories.
• Responsible for design and implementation of the grants management program with the input and oversight of the COP, Grants team and the RTI Office of Contracts.
• Responsible for grants management process & subcontracts for local organizations, including grant proposal tracking, review, and approval process
• Collaborate with COP to identify and manage risks and actively participate in the resolution of performance issues with project staff and sub-contractors or sub-awardees.
• Assist COP in managing all aspects of staffing and creating/maintaining a clear organizational structure with specific roles, responsibilities and reporting lines.
• Develop partnerships with client, implementers, and stakeholders and foster coordination.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of experience, Master's degree and 10 years of experience, PhD and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience implementing projects that are similar to this activity in terms of complexity, scope, and budget
• Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation policies and procedures related to grants, procurements, and subcontracts.
• Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to resolve sensitive and complicated work issues with senior high-level country counterparts, donor representatives, and senior-level staff.
• Experience working across multicounty and/or regional contexts, strongly preferred
• Experience working in Latin America and Caribbean region, strongly preferred

• Professional fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English is required.

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.

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 and 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.