Back Deputy Chief of Party of Operations - Ethiopia Civic Engagement

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 Governance and Youth Economic Opportunities (GYEO) Division works on improving governance practices at the national, regional, and local levels that promotes development, ensures equitable access to resources, and delivers effective services that meet people’s basic needs. GYEO also focuses on ensuring that best practices at the local and regional levels inform national policy reforms and contribute to strengthening democratic decentralization processes, foster sustainable economic growth, job creation, and increased standards of living. Our comprehensive, evidence-based economic and workforce development programs help to create employment opportunities for youth, women, and disadvantaged populations in developing countries, building local capacity to design and implement systems that align education and training systems with employer needs.

Program Description:

The USAID Civic Engagement (CE) Activity will strengthen Ethiopia's civic fabric by supporting collective action by civic actors to advocate to and engage constructively with government in order to create more inclusive, accountable, and citizen-responsive policy and governance processes. CE seeks to strengthen Ethiopia’s civic fabric by supporting collective action by civic actors to advocate to and engage constructively with government in order to create more inclusive, accountable, and citizen-responsive policy and governance processes. The anticipated program will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and provide programming in a number of regions and local governments.

Position Description:

RTI is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the Civic Engagement (CE) Activity. The DCOP will be responsible for leading the overall project management and operation of the project and supporting the COP on the technical execution of the project ensuring all project deliverables are met or exceeded within budget and in compliance with RTI and USAID rules and regulations. This position will provide project planning, management oversight, leadership, and coordination. The DCOP will directly report to the Chief of Party and will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Position is contingent upon award and funding.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Support the Chief of Party 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 management and compliance 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 Chief of Party, Grants team and the RTI Office of Contracts.
• Responsible for grants management process and subcontracts for local organizations, including grant proposal tracking, review, and approval process
• Collaborate with Chief of Party to identify and manage risks and actively participates in the resolution of performance issues with project staff and sub-contractors or sub-awardees.
• Assist Chief of Party in managing all aspects of staffing and creating/maintaining a clear organizational structure with specific roles, responsibilities and reporting lines.
• Develop partnerships and foster coordination with client as appropriate, as well as implementers, local partners and stakeholders.

  Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience or a bachelor’s degree and 12 years of experience.
  • Proven track record in working effectively with other projects, high-level host country host government counterparts, and other international partners.
  • Demonstrated experience in the administration and management of donor-supported development projects of similar size and complexity.
  • 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.