Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group 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.

SG&R’s Water portfolio has delivered innovative, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors, including water sector governance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, solid waste management, urbanization, economic livelihood development, community engagement, and institutional capacity building. Our work spans the Africa continent with a growing presence in South Asia.

Project Description

The purpose of the recently awarded USAID Sri Lanka & Maldives Ocean Plastic Reduction Program (Ocean Plastics Reduction) Activity is to minimize ocean plastics pollution in Sri Lanka and the Maldives by reducing reliance on plastic products while improving integrated solid waste management (SWM) practices. The project will provide programming to both Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Position Description

RTI is seeking a Community Empowerment Team Lead for the recently awarded USAID Sri Lanka & Maldives Ocean Plastics Activity. The Community Empowerment Team Lead will be responsible for supporting community engagement and advocacy activities to drive local waste management solutions. This position will increase community ownership of SWM service decisions, delivery and oversight by building capacity of civil society organizations on how to hold service providers accountable for service delivery, advocate the central-level and local policymakers on investments needed for inclusive and equitable service provision, and work to improve livelihoods for informal sector workers. It will also support social and behavior changes related to SWM.

This position will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and report to the Deputy Chief of Party – Sri Lanka.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead activities that empower communities to drive local waste management solutions (Objective 3) in Sri Lanka; oversee Objective 3 activities in the Maldives.
• Support development of robust training programs to build capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to implement community-led strategic action plans.
• Develop pilot and other activities that utilize grants under contracts (GUCs), microfinance, etc. to improve livelihoods for informal sector workers.
• Foster civil society ability to respond to and demand better plastics recycling related policies, improving accountability for the effective management of resources for the benefit of all individuals, households, and communities.
• Design and implement strategies to advance inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable populations, particularly women and youth, while supporting community ownership and service sustainability.
• Facilitate dialogue and integrated planning between civil society organizations, local authorities, and the private sector.
• Ensure synergy between civil society engagement component activities and alignment with other project components, including activities to reduce reliance on virgin plastic inputs and products, strengthen SWM, and improve the enabling environment for SWM with an emphasis on reducing ocean plastics.
• Ensure gender equality and social inclusion are mainstreamed throughout all SWM and Plastics Recycling activities.
• Support implementation of a learning approach for the program, including identifying operational priorities and best practices/lessons and windows of opportunity to improve or scale as needed.
• Ensure timely achievement of program activities in adherence to annual work plan and budget.
• Provide technical writing support to and review key program deliverables and reports.

  Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of experience, Master's degree and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Five years’ relevant experience supporting Sri Lankan civil society organizations to advocate for improved service delivery, with a preference for experience in the solid waste sector.
  • Experience working with civil society organizations in Sri Lanka, with demonstrated understanding of existing platforms and opportunities for civil society engagement.
  • Familiarity with social and behavior change concepts and methodologies.
  • Prior experience with USAID-funded programs strongly preferred.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
  • Fluency in English and Sinhala or Tamil required.